Unearthing the Scar: Mosul’s Lingering Battle Against ISIS’s Hidden Dangers

Beyond the Victory: Explosive Remnants Pose a Long-Term Threat to Mosul’s Recovery

The sounds of battle in Mosul have faded, replaced by the quiet, methodical work of deminers and the cautious return of civilians. While the physical defeat of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq’s second-largest city was declared in July 2017, a pervasive and insidious threat remains: the vast network of mines, booby-traps, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) meticulously planted by the extremist group. This enduring danger, a grim legacy of ISIS’s brutal occupation, presents a formidable challenge to Mosul’s reconstruction, the safe return of its displaced population, and the very fabric of its future. The fight for Mosul may be over, but the battle against its hidden dangers is likely to persist for years, if not decades.

The human cost of the conventional battle was immense, with thousands killed and the city’s infrastructure devastated. Yet, the insidious threat of explosive remnants of war (ERW) continues to claim lives and impede recovery. Special correspondent Marcia Biggs, reporting from Mosul for the PBS NewsHour, provided a stark glimpse into the ongoing struggle. Her report highlighted the pervasive nature of these devices, transforming once-familiar spaces into deadly traps and underscoring the immense task ahead for demining teams and the resilient Iraqi population.

Context and Background

Mosul, once a vibrant hub of over 6,000 students pursuing technical, agricultural, and medical studies, now stands as a testament to the destructive capabilities of ISIS and the subsequent battle to liberate the city. The Mosul Technical Institute, like many other educational institutions, suffered extensive damage. Its classrooms were reduced to ash, laboratories to rubble, and academic materials to charred remnants. This destruction reflects not only the physical toll of the conflict but also the systematic dismantling of civilian life and institutions by ISIS.

The liberation of Mosul from ISIS control was the culmination of a brutal 10-month offensive in 2017. While military forces successfully ousted the extremist group, the remnants of their presence left behind a dangerous legacy. ISIS fighters were known for their widespread use of IEDs, mines, and booby-traps, employing them as defensive measures and terror tactics. These devices were often constructed using readily available materials and planted indiscriminately, turning homes, schools, marketplaces, and roads into potential death traps.

The scale of this threat is unprecedented in Mosul. State Department officials and experts have described the quantity of unexploded ordnance as overwhelming. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that ISIS utilized facilities within the city, such as the Mosul Technical Institute, as manufacturing sites for these explosives. The institute’s dean, Ghassan Alubaidy, confirmed that ISIS used the university to produce mines and bombs, making it a high-value target for coalition airstrikes. These strikes, while aimed at degrading ISIS’s capabilities, also meant that former weapon-making facilities were more likely to contain dangerous materials, creating a doubly hazardous environment.

The United States has committed significant resources to address this challenge, investing $30 million in clearing former ISIS territories across Northern Iraq in the year of the report. Security and risk management firms like Janus Global Operations, hired by the U.S. government, are at the forefront of this effort. Their teams, often working under strict security protocols, are tasked with sweeping and clearing major areas of ERW and mines. The scale of their work is immense; Janus had already cleared 727 buildings and removed 3,000 IEDs, illustrating the industrial-scale production of these devices by ISIS.

However, the sheer volume of explosives in Mosul necessitates a long-term strategy. Christian, a team leader from Janus Global, explained that their priority is not just individual buildings but the broader community infrastructure, such as schools, power grids, and water systems, to enable the safe return of residents. This phased approach prioritizes essential services before moving to individual homes, reflecting the complex logistical and humanitarian dimensions of the clearing operation.

Recognizing that their presence cannot be indefinite, Janus Global is actively engaged in building the capacity of local Iraqis to undertake this critical task. Through training and mentorship, local partners are being equipped with the skills to conduct search and removal operations, becoming the front-line defense against these hidden dangers. Fawzi al-Nabdi, a team leader for the Iraqi partner Al Fahad Company, expressed his commitment, stating that it is his job and that he loves it, highlighting the dedication of those involved in this perilous work.

The urgency of this task is underscored by the devastating reality on the ground. Al-Nabdi recounted tragic incidents, such as a man and his two children killed by a bomb triggered upon entering their home. The densely populated Old City of Mosul, the site of ISIS’s last stand, is particularly challenging due to its flattened buildings and the widespread presence of mines in homes. Currently, the Old City remains out of bounds for civilians, and there is no immediate plan for its comprehensive clearing or even an accurate assessment of the number of mines present.

The return of students to educational institutions is a vital symbol of recovery. Mosul University has already resumed classes, with students even volunteering for cleanup efforts. The Mosul Technical Institute, despite its extensive damage, is planning to hold classes in alternate buildings in the fall, anticipating thousands of eager students who have lost three years of education. This determination to resume academic life, despite the lingering dangers, speaks to the resilience and hope of Mosul’s population.

In-Depth Analysis

The post-conflict landscape of Mosul is indelibly shaped by the pervasive threat of explosive remnants. The systematic use of IEDs by ISIS, often manufactured in workshops located within civilian infrastructure, created a dual hazard: the direct danger of detonation and the secondary risk posed by unexploded ordnance from coalition airstrikes targeting these facilities. This intricate web of explosives necessitates a multi-faceted approach to clearance, extending far beyond simple mine-sweeping.

The operational strategy employed by organizations like Janus Global involves a phased approach. Initial efforts focus on critical community infrastructure – power, water, sanitation, and key public buildings like schools and hospitals. This prioritization is a pragmatic response to the urgent need for basic services to facilitate the return of displaced populations and enable a semblance of normal life. Only after these areas are deemed safe can the more granular and time-consuming process of clearing individual homes and private residences commence.

The concept of “building capacity” is central to the long-term sustainability of demining efforts. Relying solely on external actors is neither feasible nor ideal for national sovereignty and security. The training of local Iraqi teams, such as those working with Al Fahad Company, is crucial. This not only accelerates the clearing process but also fosters local expertise and ownership, ensuring that the responsibility for maintaining a safe environment rests with the Iraqi people themselves. The aptitude and intelligence displayed by the Iraqi trainees, as noted by Christian, suggest a promising future for these local demining initiatives.

The psychological impact of these hidden dangers cannot be overstated. For residents returning to their homes, every doorway, every corner, and every piece of rubble presents a potential threat. The tragic incident of the family killed in their home serves as a grim reminder of the constant risk. This pervasive fear can significantly hinder the return of populations and the economic recovery of the city. Economic activity, essential for rebuilding livelihoods, is severely hampered when businesses and public spaces are deemed unsafe due to the presence of mines.

Furthermore, the sheer scale and complexity of the task pose significant logistical and financial challenges. The $30 million allocated by the U.S. government, while substantial, is a fraction of what will likely be required over the coming years. The geographical spread of Mosul, coupled with the thoroughness of ISIS’s emplacement of explosives, means that the clearing process will be protracted and resource-intensive. The Old City, in particular, presents an immense challenge due to its dense urban fabric and the unknown extent of contamination.

The classification of former ISIS weapon-making facilities as high-value targets adds another layer of complexity. While airstrikes aimed to neutralize these threats, they may have also contributed to the dispersal and fragmentation of explosive materials, creating a more unpredictable and hazardous environment for deminers. This highlights the difficult trade-offs inherent in counter-insurgency operations, where military objectives can inadvertently create long-term humanitarian challenges.

The resilience of the Mosul populace is a critical factor in the city’s recovery. The eagerness of students to return to their studies, even amidst the devastation and lingering dangers, demonstrates a profound desire to reclaim their lives and rebuild their future. This spirit is vital for overcoming the challenges posed by ISIS’s legacy of destruction.

The ongoing effort to clear Mosul is not merely a technical or logistical operation; it is a critical component of stabilizing the region and allowing for broader humanitarian and economic recovery. Each IED cleared, each building rendered safe, represents a step towards normalcy and a victory against the lingering influence of extremist ideologies.

Pros and Cons

Pros of the current efforts to clear Mosul:

• Significant investment: The U.S. government’s $30 million investment demonstrates a commitment to addressing the ERW problem and supporting Iraq’s recovery.
• Expertise and technology: Firms like Janus Global Operations bring specialized knowledge and advanced technology to the dangerous task of mine and IED clearance.
• Capacity building: Training local Iraqi teams ensures a sustainable, long-term approach to demining and enhances national security capabilities.
• Prioritization of community safety: Focusing on critical infrastructure like schools and utilities allows for the phased return of populations and the resumption of essential services.
• Resilience of the population: The determination of Mosul residents to rebuild and resume normal life, particularly in education, provides a strong human impetus for recovery.
• Symbolic progress: Clearing individual buildings and areas, though incremental, offers tangible signs of progress and hope for the affected communities.

Cons and Challenges:

• Immense scale of the problem: The sheer volume of IEDs and mines in Mosul is unprecedented, requiring decades of sustained effort.
• Financial sustainability: The current level of funding may be insufficient for the long-term, comprehensive clearance required.
• Operational risks: Demining is an inherently dangerous profession, with ongoing risks to the lives of clearance teams, both international and local.
• Limited access to certain areas: Areas like the Old City remain inaccessible, delaying comprehensive assessment and clearance, and thus prolonging the danger to residents.
• The threat of new IEDs: While ISIS has been militarily defeated, the potential for remnants of their network or newly constructed devices to emerge remains a concern.
• Impact on reconstruction: The presence of unexploded ordnance significantly slows down reconstruction efforts, delaying the return of displaced persons and hindering economic recovery.
• Psychological impact: The constant threat of hidden explosives creates significant psychological stress for residents and hinders the return to a sense of normalcy.

Key Takeaways

• The battle for Mosul is over militarily, but a dangerous legacy of mines, booby-traps, and IEDs planted by ISIS remains a significant threat to the city and its population.
• Clearing these explosive remnants is a massive, long-term undertaking that will likely take years, if not decades, to complete.
• International assistance, particularly from the U.S., is crucial for providing funding and expertise, with significant investments already made in demining operations.
• A key strategy involves building the capacity of local Iraqi teams to conduct demining operations, ensuring sustainability and local ownership of the process.
• Prioritization is given to clearing community infrastructure to facilitate the safe return of residents and the restoration of essential services before individual residences are addressed.
• The destruction of former ISIS weapon-making facilities, often located within civilian areas, has created a complex environment with a higher concentration of dangerous materials.
• The resilience of the Mosul populace, exemplified by their eagerness to resume education, is a vital factor in the city’s recovery despite the ongoing dangers.
• Areas like the Old City present particularly daunting challenges due to their dense urban nature and the unknown extent of explosive contamination.

Future Outlook

The future of Mosul is intrinsically linked to its ability to effectively manage and mitigate the threat of explosive remnants. Continued international support, both financial and technical, will be essential. However, the long-term success hinges on the sustained development of Iraqi capacity in demining and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD). As local teams gain more experience and autonomy, they will become the primary custodians of the city’s safety.

Reconstruction efforts will need to be carefully coordinated with demining operations. Without comprehensive clearance, rebuilding critical infrastructure and housing will remain a hazardous and inefficient process. The economic revival of Mosul will also be contingent on creating safe environments for businesses to operate and for citizens to engage in daily commerce. This suggests that demining must be viewed not as a separate task but as an integral part of the broader recovery and development agenda.

The international community also has a role to play in advocating for and supporting long-term strategies that go beyond immediate clearance. This could include the development of innovative technologies, the sharing of best practices, and continued diplomatic efforts to ensure sustained engagement. The narrative surrounding Mosul’s recovery needs to acknowledge this persistent danger, fostering public awareness and support for the ongoing, often unseen, work of demining.

Furthermore, understanding the methodologies used by ISIS in producing and deploying these devices can inform future counter-insurgency strategies and early warning systems. The information gathered by demining teams, such as bomb-making instructions found in rubble, can provide valuable intelligence.

Ultimately, Mosul’s journey towards full recovery will be a marathon, not a sprint. The scars left by ISIS are deep and multifaceted, with the physical threat of explosives being one of the most immediate and dangerous. However, the determination of its people, coupled with sustained and strategic international engagement, offers a pathway to a safer and more prosperous future, one cleared building and one defused explosive device at a time.

Call to Action

The resilience of Mosul’s residents in the face of overwhelming challenges is a powerful testament to the human spirit. However, their ability to fully rebuild their lives and their city is directly impeded by the hidden dangers left behind by ISIS. Continued global attention and sustained support are critical to overcoming this pervasive threat.

For governments and international organizations:

• Increase and sustain funding for demining and EOD operations in Mosul and other affected regions of Iraq. U.S. Department of State – Office of Weapons Removal and Assistance provides information on U.S. efforts.
• Support the development and implementation of comprehensive national demining strategies in Iraq, focusing on capacity building for local authorities and organizations.
• Prioritize the inclusion of demining and risk education in all reconstruction and humanitarian aid packages for Iraq. United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a key partner in this field.
• Facilitate the sharing of best practices and technological advancements in mine detection and clearance.

For non-governmental organizations and implementing partners:

• Continue to provide specialized demining services and essential risk education to affected communities.
• Focus on training and empowering local Iraqi demining teams to ensure long-term sustainability.
• Collaborate with local authorities to identify and prioritize clearance operations based on community needs and safety.

For the general public:

• Stay informed about the ongoing challenges in post-conflict regions like Mosul. Understand that the battle for peace extends far beyond the cessation of active hostilities.
• Support reputable organizations working on the ground to clear explosive remnants and provide risk education to vulnerable populations.
• Advocate for continued international commitment to humanitarian demining efforts worldwide.

The safe return of Mosul’s citizens, the restoration of its vital infrastructure, and its eventual economic recovery are all dependent on successfully neutralizing the silent threat that lies beneath the surface. Every cleared mine, every educated community, brings Mosul closer to a future free from the terror of ISIS’s explosive legacy. The world must not forget this hidden battle.