Explosive contamination continues to restrict safe access and recovery across large parts of northern Iraq. In cities and rural areas affected by years of conflict, clearance of unexploded ordnance and improvised explosive devices remains a prerequisite for civilian return, economic activity and the restoration of essential services.

In June 2023, Global Clearance Solutions (GCS) concluded a threeyear UNmandated contract with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Iraq, marking the end of a sustained clearance effort across Mosul, Sinjar and Tel Kaif.

Clearance, disposal and risk education

Since February 2020, GCS teams have conducted explosive hazard clearance operations in heavily affected residential, urban and agricultural areas. Activities included the search, identification and disposal of explosive threats, the destruction of stockpiles and the delivery of Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) to local communities.

A strong focus was placed on national capacity building, with Iraqi personnel trained to support professional clearance operations and riskreduction activities.

As Wissam Allamy, GCS Country Manager for Iraq, explains:

"Our teams worked closely with local partners. Fifty Iraqi operators were trained and, together with GCS experts, cleared 1,834 items of unexploded ordnance and 2,330 improvised explosive devices."

Measurable impact on safety and access

The clearance effort delivered tangible outcomes across the three operational areas. Over the course of the contract, GCS operations rendered large areas safe for civilian use, enabling the gradual return of displaced populations and the reopening of local markets and infrastructure.

In parallel, EORE activities reached more than 30,000 people, helping communities understand risks and adopt safer behaviour in areas where contamination remained.

The urgency of this work remains evident. According to UNMAS, 55 minors were killed and 71 children seriously injured by explosive hazards in Iraq in 2022 alone, underlining the continued threat posed by unexploded devices.

Land release and recovery

Across Mosul, Sinjar and Tel Kaif, GCS operations resulted in the release of 7,883,750 square metres of residential and agricultural land.

As Ashley Williams, Deputy Head of Operations at GCS, notes:

"Rendering this amount of land safe directly supports recovery. It allows families to return, livelihoods to restart and communities to reconnect."

GCS maintains an operational office in Baghdad, which continues to engage with national authorities, including the Iraqi Directorate of Mine Action, and to support the development of followon proposals aimed at sustaining clearance capacity and rehiring trained local staff. GCS continues to work toward securing new agreements across Iraq and neighbouring Syria.

"Proposals are currently being processed to continue operations and retain trained personnel," Williams adds.

Ongoing engagement

Beyond clearance activities, GCS has supported broader awareness and engagement efforts, including hosting national and international stakeholders at clearance sites. In March 2023, Germany's Federal Foreign Minister visited Iraq and met with GCS search teams during a fourday mission focused on international support for stabilisation efforts.

A foundation for continued action

The conclusion of the UNMAS contract marks the end of one phase of operations, but not the end of explosive risk in Iraq. Sustained clearance, training and risk education remain essential to protecting civilians and supporting long-term recovery.

Through three years of accredited operations, national capacity building and community engagement, GCS contributed to reducing explosive hazards and restoring safe access in some of Iraq's mayor infacted areas.

(Photos credit : Philipp Breu)