Clearance continues at ‘most dangerous’ minefield in Soran that has claimed 26 lives

SORAN — Mine clearance teams continued work this week at one of the most hazardous minefields in Erbil, located within the Soran administration, according to the Mine Action Agency in Erbil.

Ali Abdulrahman, director general of mine affairs in Erbil, told 964media that teams visited the area Wednesday to inspect the progress of clearance operations. “It is one of the most dangerous minefields in Erbil and Soran, as 26 residents, including villagers and herders, have been killed so far by its mines,” he said.

The minefield, known as Krouka Zard, lies within the boundaries of Piromar village in the Similan subdistrict, part of Choman district. It spans an area of 95,200 square meters.

The mines have also caused harm to hundreds of animals, according to Abdulrahman.

So far, 92,328 square meters of the area have been cleared, during which 2,757 anti-personnel mines and 163 remnants of explosive ordnance were located and removed.

Abdulrahman said the clearance is now in its final phase and is expected to be completed within a month. He added that once the area is cleared, it will be safe for agricultural use, livestock grazing, and tourism.

The Kurdistan Region continues to face significant landmine contamination, a remnant of decades of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War, battles with the former Baathist regime, and subsequent regional instability. These landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a constant danger to the safety and livelihoods of residents, particularly in rural and remote areas.