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Filmed on July 15, 2021.
SHINGAL, Iraq — Explosive planted by the Islamic State group (ISIS) in villages and towns in the Shingal area continue to take lives. An aid organization is working to raise awareness about the danger of mines, especially among children.
Basim Barakat, 16, was injured by an exploding landmine that killed his father, brother, and uncle. “My feet hurt so much that I can’t sleep at night,” he said.
Two years ago, Na'am Ismail returned to her village Borek, nine kilometres north of Mount Shingal. Two months after they moved home, an explosive left behind by ISIS blew up, killing her 15-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter and damaging their house.
“When I think about my children, it is the hardest thing in my life,” said Ismail. “Nothing is left. My children who used to play here are now dead.”
According to local officials, 12 people who returned to their homes have been killed and 24 injured by ISIS explosives. Iraqi security forces in Gir Ozer estimate there are nearly 1,000 mines still in the town and its surroundings.
A humanitarian organization called Geneva Call has started training courses with international NGOs. They want to raise awareness about mines among the children in Shingal and plan to clear ISIS landmines. “It’s important to talk about this in the schools,” said Vance Culbert, head of the Near and Middle East Region for Geneva Call.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
Basim Barakat, 16, was injured by an exploding landmine that killed his father, brother, and uncle. “My feet hurt so much that I can’t sleep at night,” he said.
Two years ago, Na'am Ismail returned to her village Borek, nine kilometres north of Mount Shingal. Two months after they moved home, an explosive left behind by ISIS blew up, killing her 15-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter and damaging their house.
“When I think about my children, it is the hardest thing in my life,” said Ismail. “Nothing is left. My children who used to play here are now dead.”
According to local officials, 12 people who returned to their homes have been killed and 24 injured by ISIS explosives. Iraqi security forces in Gir Ozer estimate there are nearly 1,000 mines still in the town and its surroundings.
A humanitarian organization called Geneva Call has started training courses with international NGOs. They want to raise awareness about mines among the children in Shingal and plan to clear ISIS landmines. “It’s important to talk about this in the schools,” said Vance Culbert, head of the Near and Middle East Region for Geneva Call.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
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