DUBAI: Engineering teams have begun removing mines and unexploded ordnance from the archaeological site of Ruwayha in southern Idlib, the Syrian Arab Republic’s state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday.

The operation is part of a broader plan by the Idlib Directorate of Antiquities to protect and preserve historical sites across the Jabal Al-Zawiya region, which includes more than 10 locations listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Ruwayha is part of the UNESCO-listed “Ancient Villages of Northern Syria,” a collection of well-preserved Byzantine-era settlements dating back to the fourth and sixth centuries.

Hassan Al-Ismail, director of antiquities in Idlib, said the project aims to clear war remnants, document damage caused during the conflict, and allow local communities to safely access the sites.

“The primary goal is to remove mines and war remnants from archaeological sites and enable the local community to return, while revitalizing domestic tourism and reopening the country to visitors,” Al-Ismail told SANA.

The work is being carried out in cooperation with the Heritage for Peace organization and under the supervision of the General Directorate of Antiquities and Museums, with coordination from the Ministry of Defense, which deployed specialized engineering units.