Peshmerga defuses 4,000 IEDs in two villages east of Mosul

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Region Peshmerga forces engineering teams have until now defused more than 13,000 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by Islamic State (IS) extremists.

Brigade Mahmood Hussein Kakayi, Commander of the Peshmerga engineering team in the First Battalion Force, spoke to Kurdistan24 about the battle with IS.

The Commander revealed since the war against IS began, across the Kurdistan Region borders from Sinjar (Shingal) to southern Kirkuk, the Kurdish forces defused 13,290 IEDs.

Additionally, Kakayi said that 800 other types of explosives, mortars, rockets, and “Katyusha” were confiscated and more than 138 tunnels discovered.

He also said 210 houses had been cleared of explosives, and over 287 kilometers of roads were wiped of booby traps and IEDs.

The engineering teams were supportive of the Peshmerga forces in the latest offensive against IS east of Mosul that resulted in the liberation of 11 villages, Kakayi added.

“It is still difficult for the civilians to return to those areas due to explosives and IEDs not only on the main roads but also inside the houses,” he explained.

In the recently liberated villages of Kulabor and Tel Leben, Peshmerga engineering teams have defused more than 2,000 IEDs and explosives planted by IS.

Brigade Kakayi added that “2,000 more IEDs will be defused by Peshmerga in the coming days to facilitate the return of displaced people.”

The Peshmerga Commander stated they are coordinating with the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA) to help them clear IEDs and explosives planted by insurgents in the newly liberated areas.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany