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 …

Iraqi forces thwart car bomb attack in Gogjali, militant arrested

Iraqi security forces announced, on Monday, foiling a booby-trapped vehicle attack and arresting a militant in Gogjali area, east of Mosul. In a press statement, the Media Cell said that the security forces apprehended a suspect, after a partial explosion 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 …

How is the reconstruction of Iraq going?

In July 2017, the last Islamic State fighters left in the city of Mosul attempted to flee by swimming across the mighty Tigris River that runs through Iraq’s second largest city. They had been defeated. As patriotic music blared out 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 …

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 …

Immediate Lessons from the Battle of Mosul

The largest conventional land battle since the capture of Baghdad in 2003 has been ongoing since October 2016. The purpose of this article is to provide Army a first-look on lessons identified from the advisors engaged in supporting our Iraqi Read More …