Volunteer guides foragers in Soran’s Sidakan district to avoid mine risks

SIDAKAN — A longtime volunteer in Erbil’s Sidakan district is working to raise awareness among springtime herb foragers about the ongoing risk of landmines and unexploded ordnance in the mountainous Baradost region.

Jabar Wasman Bradosti, who has volunteered for 17 years in environmental protection and mine awareness, has been seen stopping on mountain roads to speak with travelers and foragers, often standing by parked vehicles to offer direct guidance.

Bradosti told 964media he recently encountered a group of foragers and provided them with safety instructions to avoid areas known for explosive remnants of war.

“My goal is to raise awareness among citizens and protect them from the dangers of mines and remnants of war that still exist in this area,” he said.

Several mine-related incidents have been reported in the Sidakan area in recent weeks, resulting in four deaths and multiple injuries, most involving herb foragers.

Spring marks the peak of foraging season in the Kurdistan Region, when residents often venture into remote and rugged terrain despite the risks. The region remains heavily contaminated with landmines and explosive remnants from decades of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War, Baathist-era repression, and more recent instability.

This ongoing threat continues to endanger lives in rural and mountainous areas, where mine clearance efforts remain incomplete.