ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Heavy rainfall in the Kurdistan Region has caused landmines to shift from their original positions, putting civilian lives at “significant” risk, the Region’s Mine Action Agency (IKMAA) warned on Monday.
Head of the IKMAA, Jabbar Mustafa, told Rudaw that recent torrential rains have caused mines and explosives on hillsides to shift from their original positions, warning that "this creates a significant danger to people's lives."
The Kurdistan Region’s rugged terrain continues to harbor landmines from the Iran-Iraq War (1980–1988), more recent clashes between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and other conflicts, including Islamic State (ISIS) control of parts of Iraq between 2014 and 2017.
Mustafa urged people to act cautiously when going out to gather spring herbs. "We ask citizens to contact the hotline, 182, or our agency whenever they see a suspicious object, to prevent any tragic incidents," he said.
This comes amid a wave of snow and heavy rainfall that has swept across the Kurdistan Region this year. Since late last year, Iraq and the Kurdistan Region have experienced torrential rains, causing flash floods and overflowing rivers and dams.
The districts most at risk include Penjwen district in Sulaimani province on the Iranian border, followed by Choman in Erbil province and Amedi in Duhok province. Since the beginning of this year, two people have died, and two others were injured due to mine explosions, Mustafa said.