Anbar civil defense says 1,593 unexploded ordnance items destroyed since January

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Anbar's Civil Defense Directorate said it has recovered 1,593 unexploded ordnance items from across the western Iraqi province since January 1, 2026, and destroyed 897 of them. Directorate spokesman Mohammed Tariq said the clearance operations are being carried out in coordination with the Iraqi Army's Field Engineering Battalion and are aimed at securing residential areas and protecting residents. Tariq said civil defense teams, working with support units, will continue sweep and clearance operations. He did not specify the locations where the ordnance was found or the timeline for completing the remaining work. Explosive ordnance disposal specialist Mohammed Ali said unexploded munitions can remain active for many years and pose a continuing threat, particularly to children, farmers and herders. He said clearing agricultural land is important for the resettlement of the area and the implementation of service projects. Ali called for continued field sweeps using modern equipment and expanded public awareness campaigns warning residents against approaching suspicious objects. No further details on the specific sites or the types of ordnance recovered were immediately available.