The story of Mam Ismail
Decades after war, landmines still haunt the Kurdistan Region’s mountain villages
BALAKAYATI — Mam Ismail, 71, is a testament to resilience and the dangers of legacy minefields that litter scenic mountainscapes across the Kurdistan Region.
April 4 marks International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, a stark reminder of the region’s struggle.
Despite losing both legs to a landmine explosion in 1986 though, he has not allowed the disability to define him or his life.
Mam Ismail’s accident happened while hunting chukar partridges in the mountains of Balakayati, an area renowned for its natural beauty but marred by landmines – a legacy of the Iran-Iraq War. Once described by Kurdish poet Sherko Bekas as “the daughter of God,” Balakayati continues to attract tourists despite the lurking danger of unexploded remnants of war.
While the blast altered his future, Mam Ismail shared that he has lived a fulfilling life. Every summer, he finds solace in tending to his pomegranate orchard, a shared endeavor with his family. He also operates a roadside stall where he sells his produce.
“Losing my legs was a challenge,” he told 964media. “But I had to work to provide for my family. It’s been 38 years [since the accident], and I’ve strived to work as if I had them both. However, the last two years have been draining. My strength is fading.”
As a father of nine, his story underscores the enduring threat posed by landmines in the Kurdistan Region.
Balakayati, heavily mined during the Ba’ath regime’s rule, is considered one of the most contaminated areas. The Kurdistan Regional Government’s Mine Action Agency estimates over 360 suspected minefields exist within Erbil governorate, with nearly half concentrated in Balakayati.