Land mine explosion injures two children in Khanaqin

KHANAQIN — Two visiting children were injured Wednesday evening when a leftover land mine from past conflicts exploded in a residential neighborhood of Khanaqin district in Diyala governorate, local health officials said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in the Aobara neighborhood, where a 9-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl were playing in an alley when the device detonated.

“The children were playing in the alley, handled the mine and it exploded,” said Shwan Shakir, director of Khanaqin Hospital.

He said the mine was believed to have been displaced by recent rainfall and flooding. “It is suspected that the mine was swept from mountainous areas by recent rain and floods and entered the neighborhood,” Shakir said.

The children were taken to Khanaqin Hospital, where they received initial treatment. Shakir said their condition had stabilized. “The health condition of both children is stable and there is no longer any danger to their lives,” he said.

Iraq continues to report incidents involving land mines and unexploded ordnance left from past conflicts. In recent months, 964media has reported deaths and injuries among children, shepherds and civilians in Diyala, Basra, Dhi Qar, Sulaymaniyah, Erbil and Duhok governorates. Mine action authorities have warned that heavy rain and flooding can shift buried explosives toward residential areas, roads and farmland, while demining teams continue clearance operations in several regions.