Hengaw’s 2023 Report: 27 Individual Casualties from Mine Explosions
The remnants of the 8-year war between Iran and Iraq, coupled with mines planted by the IRG
Hengaw: Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The remnants of the 8-year war between Iran and Iraq, coupled with mines planted by the IRGC in recent years, continue to pose a threat, resulting in victims. Disturbingly, over 22% of the victims last year were children and women, with more than 96% being Kurdish individuals.
According to data registered at the Statistics and Documentation Center of Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the past year witnessed at least 7 fatalities caused by mine explosions and detonated war ammunition in border areas. Additionally, 20 individuals suffered injuries or amputations.
More than 96% of individuals affected by mine explosions in the provinces of Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan (Sanandaj), and West Azarbaijan (Urmia) were identified as Kurdish residents. Additionally, an Arab teenager was reported injured in Ahvaz province.
Victim Distribution by Province
In the past year, at least five children and adolescents under the age of 18, along with one woman, became victims of mine explosions. This figure accounts for 22% of the total casualties, reflecting a 10% decrease compared to the previous year.
In the preceding year, landmine incidents resulted in the most victims along the borders of Kurdistan (Sanandaj) province, registering 12 cases. Following closely, Ilam and Urmia provinces ranked second with five cases each. Notably, Ilam province reported the highest number of fatalities, accounting for 4 deaths and representing 57% of the total casualties.
• Kurdistan Province (Sanandaj):
• Victims: 12 (12 wounded)
• Ilam Province:
• Victims: 5 (5 killed, 1 injured)
• West Azarbaijan Province (Urmia):
• Victims: 5 (1 dead, 4 injured)
• Kermanshah Province:
• Victims: 4 (2 dead, 2 wounded)
• Khuzestan Province:
• Victims: 1 (1 wounded)
Mine Victims Segregated by Social Class:
In the preceding year, landmine incidents predominantly affected civilians, totaling 15 cases. Additionally, 11 workers and laborers fell victim to landmine explosions.
- Civilians:
- Cases: 15 (2 killed, 13 wounded)
- Workers and Laborers:
- Cases: 11 (5 killed, 11 wounded)
- Military Personnel:
- Cases: 1 (1 wounded)
Despite landmines not being explicitly prohibited by customary international law, there are restrictions in place to minimize their impact. For instance, parties involved in a conflict must either preserve maps of minefields or clear these fields at the conflict's conclusion to protect civilians.
the Ottawa Convention mandates that governments abstain from producing, stockpiling, or transferring anti-personnel mines. Regrettably, the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran has not yet joined this convention, despite numerous victims falling victim to mines.
