A British bomb disposal expert is leading a team risking their lives every day to clear munitions from the Iraqi city of Mosul, seized back after three years of Islamic State’s cruel rule. Martin Bentham goes on patrol with them
The Islamic State drone bombs lie on the ground surrounded by shattered buildings and rubble as a former London student describes the challenge faced by his bomb disposal team, as they try to make the ancient heart of the Iraqi city of Mosul safe for its residents to return.
“There is lots of unexploded ordnance here — mortars, grenades, artillery shells — and on top of that we are finding improvised explosive devices, bomb-making factories and suicide vests,” says Simon Woodbridge, 50, who gained a chemistry degree at King’s College during a six-year stay in London before becoming a bomb disposal expert. “Every time we come here we find things,” he adds. “A lot of what we find is pretty basic. But if a child picks it up it’s going to function. I always wanted to be a doctor, but this is very rewarding.”
Now employed by the private security firm G4S after a 14-year career in the British Army including service in Northern Ireland and Bosnia, Mr Woodbridge is working in Iraq on a contract with the United Nations Mine Action Service, as part of its efforts to remove dangerous munitions in conflict zones.
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Source: Evening Standard