ShafaqNews/ A member of the Peshmerga forces was killed in a landmine explosion innorthern Duhok, a military source reported on Monday.
Thesource told Shafaq News Agency that the explosion occurred while the victim wasen route to a military post on Gabenriki Mountain in the Barwari Bala areawithin the Kani Masi sub-district.
“Thelandmine detonated, resulting in his immediate death,” the source added.
Thesource clarified that the details surrounding the incident remain unclear.
“Authoritieshave launched an investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding theexplosion. Officials are working to determine whether the landmine was an oldremnant from previous conflicts or a recently planted device,” he said.
Hedid not provide any further details.
Notably,in December, the General Directorate for Mine Affairs in Duhok successfullycleared and detonated 530 landmines and explosive devices during an operationin Kawashi village, located in the Simele (Sumail) district.
Thesedevices, collected from various areas across Duhok province, included artilleryshells, mortar rounds, RPG missiles, anti-personnel mines, and anti-tank mines.
Manyof these explosives, planted over 60 years ago by the Iraqi army and theKurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), continue to pose significant risks tocivilians, underscoring the necessity for ongoing mine-clearing efforts toprotect local communities.
Iraq'slandmine contamination stems from decades of conflict, including the Iran-IraqWar, the Gulf War, and the 2003 US-led invasion, further compounded byimprovised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by groups like the Islamic State.
Effortsto address this issue are guided by the National Mine Action Strategic Plan for2022-2028, supported by international organizations such as the GenevaInternational Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the United NationsMine Action Service (UNMAS).