Iraq: 5 big ISIL bombs found hidden in Mosul’s al-Nuri Mosque

Five large bombs were discovered hidden in the walls of the historic al-Nuri Mosque in the city of Mosul in northern Iraq, a remnant of the armed group ISIL’s (ISIS’s) rule over the region. The mosque – famous for its Read More …

Iraq: Return to old Mosul, concerns amid war remnants

The old city of Mosul, once a bustling urban center, became a battleground in 2017 as Iraqi forces, supported by the Global Coalition, clashed fiercely with ISIS. This brutal conflict led to widespread devastation of infrastructure and homes. Despite ongoing Read More …

Iraq: UN mine clearance worker fatally injured in Mosul mine clearing ops

Tragedy struck in Batnaia, Tal Kaif, Mosul, as a United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS) employee lost their life in the line of duty while clearing mines, the United Nations in Iraq reports. The fatal incident occurred when a mine Read More …

IED explodes under vehicle carrying demining team in northern Iraq

An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blew up under a vehicle carrying a demining team in northern Iraq on Tuesday, injuring seven personnel, according to a press statement issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The IED exploded Read More …

Iraq: Clearance Operations on a massive IED belt in Tal Kaif, North of Mosul

After eight months of operations conducted by UNMAS implementing partner, Global Clearance Solutions (GCS), in Tal Kaif, north of Mosul, over 250,000 square meters of contaminated land were cleared, and more than 1,200 items of explosive ordnance rendered safe and Read More …

Explosive hazards in Mosul a major threat for years to come

The classroom of 13-year-old boys was vibrant, filled with energy, as the final lesson of the day began, addressing a serious topic. One of the guest instructors held up posters of various suspicious objects. Some were more obviously mortars or hand grenades, Read More …

Tribal leader killed in Mosul roadside bombing

A roadside bomb killed a tribal leader and wounded two of his relatives in the al-Shoura district south of Mosul on Wednesday, local officials confirmed. “An IED [improvised explosive device] exploded targeting the convoy of Sheikh Hassan al-Hadidi on Wednesday Read More …

UNMAS supports UK DFID delegation visit to Mosul

The presence of explosive hazards, including improvised explosive devices in areas liberated from the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), will continue to impede security and stability efforts as well as development initiatives until these are cleared and Read More …

Iraq: Danger amid Mosul’s ruins

UN experts believe it will take decades to clear the Iraqi city of Mosul from explosive hazards. But, a year after liberation from the “Islamic State” group, ever more refugees are returning. Sandra Petersmann reports. The chirping of the birds Read More …

‘Unlike anything I had ever seen’: Airman to receive Silver Star for actions in fierce Mosul fight

The special operations team had been waiting for weeks on the mission to retake Mosul, Iraq. “We were prepared for it, and, finally, it came down that we were going to get the go-ahead on the morning of Oct. 20,” Read More …

The ruins of Mosul have exposed the future of high-tech warfare

Cheap Chinese-made sensors. Mad Max-style vehicle mods. Consumer drones turned into mortar-dropping weapons. The fight against Daesh is showing the high-tech, higher stakes future of urban war. Lieutenant Ahmed Abbas Ali burns his finger as he lights the fuse on Read More …

It could take more than a decade to clear Mosul of explosives, U.S. officials say

After nine months of vicious street-to-street fighting to drive the Islamic State out of Mosul, it could take many years more to fully remove explosives and other munitions from one of Iraq’s most populous cities, U.S. State Department officials said. “When Read More …