After more than a year of restricted international travel, GCS Chief Executive Officer Philipp von Michaelis visited ongoing operations and teams supporting UN-mandated explosive hazard clearance activities across the country.

The visit took place as Iraq continued to address large-scale contamination from improvised explosive devices and other explosive remnants of war, particularly in areas affected by conflict between 2014 and 2017. Despite prolonged disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, GCS operations in Iraq remained active throughout this period.

Sustained operations under UN mandate

GCS currently employs approximately 100 national and international staff across multiple UN contracts in Iraq. Operations focus on high-risk explosive hazard clearance, urban clearance and mine risk education, delivered in coordination with UNMAS, UNOPS and national authorities.

During the visit, von Michaelis travelled to Sinjar, where GCS is implementing a UN-mandated Urban Clearance project. The tasking includes the systematic clearance and release of residential areas and critical civilian infrastructure, such as schools and healthcare facilities, to enable the safe return of internally displaced people. The project represents a shift from isolated clearance tasks toward structured, community-level recovery support.

Local teams briefed on operational planning, task sequencing and safety management, with field activities scheduled to commence shortly after the visit.

In parallel, mine risk education teams presented outreach materials developed specifically for children and adolescents. These activities aim to reduce exposure to explosive hazards by improving awareness of risks, recognition of dangerous items and appropriate reporting behaviour.

High-risk clearance in Mosul

The visit also included time with explosive hazard clearance teams operating in Mosul, where contamination remains dense and complex. Teams are engaged in the search, identification, neutralisation and removal of improvised explosive devices and other hazardous items concealed within urban rubble and infrastructure.

On site, von Michaelis received briefings on task progress, quality management and safety procedures, and reviewed recently cleared items at designated UXO collection and disposal areas. The scale and diversity of devices encountered reflect the technical and operational demands of clearance in heavily affected urban environments.

"The level of destruction in Mosul and its surroundings is difficult to comprehend," von Michaelis noted during the visit. "Stabilising these areas will require sustained effort from Iraqi institutions and international partners over many years."

The value of direct field engagement

While project oversight and coordination continued remotely during travel restrictions, the visit underlined the importance of direct engagement with field teams and affected communities. Observing operations first-hand provided additional insight into working conditions, risk exposure and the practical impact of clearance activities on daily life.

Through accredited clearance operations, national capacity building and continued field presence, GCS supports efforts to reduce explosive risks and enable safer living conditions for communities across Iraq.