The Syrian government’s extensive use of cluster munitions has caused numerous casualties, damaged infrastructure, and is resulting in a deadly legacy of explosive remnants of war that will pose dangers to civilians for years to come. Human Rights Watch has identified at least 224 locations in 10 of Syria’s 14 governorates where cluster munitions have been used between July 2012 and March 2014. At least six types of cluster munitions and seven types of explosive submunitions have been used in the conflict to date.
Syria is not a party to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions, but its cluster munition use has attracted widespread media coverage, public outcry, and condemnations from approximately 130 countries.
This Technical Briefing Note looks at the chronology, locations, and types of cluster munitions used in Syria.
