A warning sign marks a dangerous minefield in a desolate area, highlighting the ongoing threat of unexploded ordnance in Iraq
An ongoing danger in Iraq
Teen shepherd injured by landmine in Muthanna
MUTHANNA – A 17-year-old shepherd, identified as Hawra, sustained burns and shrapnel injuries to her neck and hands following a landmine explosion in the Leih area of Salman district, Al-Muthanna Governorate. The region, known for its hazards due to remnants from conflicts dating back to the 1990s, continues to pose risks.
Iraq remains heavily afflicted by landmines, a legacy of the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, the 2003 U.S.-led invasion, and conflicts with ISIS. These events have left a perilous landscape scattered with explosive remnants, threatening civilian safety.
The incident occurred on Monday as Hawra tended to her sheep in the desert, approximately 35 kilometers from the center of Al-Basiyah subdistrict. The cause of the landmine detonation remains unclear.
This event is part of a pattern of similar tragedies in the region. On June 26, another landmine explosion in the Rumaila Desert, west of Basra, killed a shepherd and seriously injured his sister. In mid-August, a deminer lost his life during an operation along the Iranian border in Basra after a mine unexpectedly detonated.
As of the end of 2022, nearly 35,000 people in Iraq had suffered casualties from landmines, unexploded ordnance, and improvised explosive devices, as reported by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. The southern governorates, areas near the Iranian border, and the Kurdistan Region are notably affected.
The Ministry of Environment’s Directorate of Mine Affairs reported on Aug. 21 that over 500 kilometers of land across Iraq remain contaminated with remnants from the ISIS period. Despite international support, clearing these areas remains a formidable challenge, highlighting the ongoing threat to safety in regions like Muthanna.
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