Shepherd killed by landmine in Bradost region

ERBIL — A young shepherd was killed Saturday when a landmine exploded in the mountainous area of Saroka, within the Sidakan subdistrict, part of Erbil’s Soran autonomous administration in the Bradost border region.

Rabar Anwar, head of Erbil’s Mine Affairs Office, told 964media the blast occurred while the victim was tending to livestock. “A landmine exploded and took the life of a young man,” he said.

A relative identified the victim as Osman Sidiq Bradosti, saying he had entered a restricted security zone when the explosion occurred. “He got engaged two months ago and planned to get married soon, but this incident shattered his future,” the relative told 964media.

Landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to pose a deadly threat in Iraq’s northern highlands, especially in Erbil’s Soran autonomous administration and parts of Sulaymaniyah governorate — areas heavily affected by decades of war and cross-border conflict.

On June 24, a shepherd lost his leg after stepping on a landmine in the Mergedrezhan area of Haji Omran. Earlier, on April 6, a landmine blast in the Qalarash mountains near Sidakan killed 28-year-old Mohammed Haini and seriously injured his brother, Safwan, as they gathered wild herbs.

Similar incidents have occurred in Sulaymaniyah. On May 31, six farm workers were injured by unexploded ordnance in Penjwen district. Two others were killed in separate incidents earlier this year: 40-year-old Peshmerga fighter Hawkar Salih died on March 24, and 20-year-old Dilshad Mahmood was killed a week earlier, also while collecting herbs.