Landmine blast kills teenager in Choman

CHOMAN — A 19-year-old man was killed Wednesday evening when he stepped on a landmine in the mountainous area near Nawanda village in Choman district, part of Erbil’s Soran Autonomous Administration, local officials said.

The victim had gone to the area with two friends to prepare tea when the device detonated. His companions were not injured.

The Kurdistan Region remains heavily contaminated by landmines left from the Iran-Iraq War, the Baathist regime’s conflicts, and later instability. The explosives continue to threaten rural communities and hinder livelihoods.

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