Shafaq News- Al-Anbar
Civil Defense teams in western Iraq's Al-Anbarprovince have removed 1,593 unexploded munitions since January 1, 2026, MohammedTariq, media officer for the provincial Civil Defense Directorate, told ShafaqNews on Friday.
Iraqi Army's Field Engineering Battalion, Tariq noted,had destroyed 897 explosive remnants under approved technical and securityprocedures, while clearance operations continue in coordination with relevantagencies.
Speaking to Shafaq News, mine action and explosives specialistMohammed Ali said removing war remnants remains essential in areas affected byprevious military operations, warning that buried explosives can remain activefor decades and continue to endanger residents, farmers, shepherds, andreconstruction workers.
“Completing the cleanup would help restore farmland,support the return of displaced families, and facilitate reconstruction,” Aliadded, calling for continued field inspections, specialized equipment, andbroader public awareness campaigns encouraging residents to avoid suspiciousobjects and immediately notify the authorities.
Iraq remains among the world's most heavilycontaminated countries with explosive remnants of war. The United Nations MineAction Service (UNMAS) estimates that about 2,733 square kilometers of landremain contaminated following successive conflicts, including the Iran-IraqWar, the 1991 Gulf War, post-2003 violence, and the campaign against ISIS.
Official figures show that more than 30,000 peoplehave been killed or injured by landmines and unexploded ordnance in Iraq since2003.
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