International
‘ISIS now hides bombs in teddy bears, dolls, fridges, TVs’
Syrian doctors have raised the alarm that terrorists working for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) have resorted to hiding bombs in teddy bears as bobby traps.
Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) said hidden bombs had been planted in roads, fields, houses and even cuddly toys as Islamic state fighters retreat leaving behind countless explosive devices.
The charity quoted an unnamed explosive expert who worked in northern Syria, and warned that booby traps and mines were deliberately left to target people returning home.
Bombs were being deliberately hidden in doorways or under objects likely to attract children, such as teddy bears and dolls, as well as fridges and televisions.
Read also: PAKISTAN: Shrine keeper drugs, kills 20 devotees in deadly attack
Karline Kleijer, MSF’s emergency manager for Syria, said: “It is extremely dangerous for people returning to their homes.
“Booby traps have been planted everywhere, under the carpet, in the fridge, even in children’s teddy bears.”
MSF’s new report on the warzone, called “Set to explode”, said hundreds of people have been killed or maimed as they return to homes and villages once held by Islamic State as the frontlines in the north of the country shift.
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