ISIS landmines, unexploded ordnance persist across Iraq, posing ongoing threats

BAGHDAD — The Ministry of Environment’s Directorate of Mine Affairs has reported that more than 500 kilometers of land across Iraq remain contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance from the period of ISIS control. Despite the efforts supported by international partners, fully securing these areas continues to pose significant challenges.

Mustafa Majid, the director of media for the Directorate, detailed the extent of contamination in a statement to the state newspaper. “Diyala province is the most heavily contaminated, with approximately 300 kilometers affected by landmines. Anbar province follows, with around 181 kilometers still posing a threat,” Majid said. He added that the provinces of Nineveh and Salah al-Din also remain impacted, with 26 kilometers and 18 kilometers contaminated, respectively.

Majid also emphasized the ongoing efforts to mitigate these dangers. “Efforts to remove and clear these remnants are ongoing by the Directorate’s teams, with support from international organizations, as well as some ministries and government agencies,” he said.

The persistent presence of these deadly remnants underscores the critical need for continued and enhanced demining operations to ensure the safety and security of affected regions across Iraq.

Dr. Fadel Al-Gharawi, head of the Strategic Center for Human Rights in Iraq, highlighted the broader implications of the issue. “The areas confirmed to contain landmines exceed 6,000 kilometers across all Iraqi provinces,” Al-Gharawi told the newspaper.

According to UN Mine Action Service data, every year, dozens of Iraqis lose their lives due to explosions of mines and military debris, while about 8.5 million out of 43 million Iraqis live under this threat.