Mine Action Team clears more than 400 explosives in Semel district

DUHOK — Duhok’s General Directorate of Mine Action announced Tuesday that a specialized explosive ordnance disposal team cleared more than 400 landmines and explosive remnants in Kwashe village, part of the Semel district in Duhok.

The directorate said the operation involved the removal and controlled detonation of mines and other munitions found in the area.

The Kurdistan Region remains heavily contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance after decades of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War, fighting under the Baathist regime and later instability. Rural communities are particularly exposed, with mines threatening both lives and livelihoods.

The cleared items included artillery shells, mortars, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, anti-tank mines, and anti-personnel mines. The statement noted that the operation was carried out with the cooperation of Semel district’s security forces.

Earlier this month, Mine Action Directorate teams responded to reports of mines and unexploded ordnance in Darbandikhan and Bardaqaraman following public alerts of dangerous remnants in the areas.

Official figures show landmine explosions caused 11 casualties in the Kurdistan Region in 2024, including four deaths and seven injuries or amputations. In 2023, there were 23 incidents, resulting in 10 fatalities and 13 injuries.