A convoy of U.S. armored vehicles patrols the northeastern Syrian town of Qahtaniyah at the border with Turkey. (Photo by AFP)

Damascus, June 5 (RHC)-- At least three children have been killed and two others suffered serious injuries when a landmine planted by U.S. occupation forces went off in the Syria's energy-rich northeastern province of Hasakah.

Syria’s official news agency SANA, citing local sources requesting anonymity, reported that the minors were searching for scrap metal in an area close to a military facility housing American forces and trainers on Monday, when the deadly incident took place on the outskirts of Qasrok village, located in the al-Malikiyah district of the province.

The sources said two children lost their lives immediately, while the rest were transported to Tal Tamr Hospital to receive medical treatment.  A third child later succumbed to his grave injuries in hospital. The other two children are listed in critical condition.

Landmines planted by Daesh and other foreign-sponsored Takfiri militants, along with unexploded ordnance from the thousands of shells, missiles and bombs that US occupation forces have dropped, litter northern territories of Syria.  These ticking time bombs are a major threat to people’s lives.

Teams operate throughout the region to try and remove the dangers left behind but are unable to eliminate the huge number of hazards that continue to take civilian lives.   Unexploded ordnance, whether it be landmines, cluster munitions or anything else, continue to litter people’s homes, farmlands and playgrounds in Syria – remaining a threat for years and decades to come, even if the war ends.

Since March 2011, Syria has been gripped by a campaign of militancy and destruction sponsored by the United States and its allies.  In recent years, however, Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have managed to win back control of almost all regions from terrorist groups.

The U.S. military has stationed its forces and equipment in northeastern Syria, with the Pentagon claiming that the deployment is aimed at preventing the oil fields in the area from falling into the hands of Daesh terrorists.

Damascus maintains that the deployment is meant to plunder Syria’s natural resources.  Former U.S. President Donald Trump admitted on several occasions that American forces were in the Arab country for its oil wealth.