In the heart of Sinjar, where the scars of conflict run deep, a dedicated mixed clearance team supervised by a 41-year-old man works tirelessly to make their community safe again. In this interview we shine a light on the role of the dedicated site supervisor of SHO – HAMAP-Humanitaire's local partner in Iraq – within the clearance team, on what drives him and on the daily challenges he has to meet in order to make Sinjar safer.
Aqeel Thajeel Faleeh is a committed deminer whose commitment is to make Sinjar safer. He was born on 21 August 1982 in the town of Nasiriyah, in southern Iraq. Aqeel's role is that of site supervisor, and he is one of the most experienced operators in Iraq.
Leaving his family behind, Aqeel undertook a long journey of more than 9 hours and 865 kilometres from the far south of Iraq to contribute to the well-being of the Sinjar community. Asked what led him to join the HAMAP-Humanitaire and SHO Safer Sinjar project, Aqeel puts the emphasis on the human element and on the desire to help people return to a normal life once the dangers have been removed. Recalling a decisive moment that strengthened his commitment to the cause, he says: « In some villages, dangerous obstacles were preventing farmers and schoolchildren from moving around. We played a crucial part in removing those dangers, and I am very proud to belong to an exceptional team ».
Aqeel stresses how essential collaboration between team members is to the success of any project, particularly in mine action. Known for his sense of poetry and for the positive memories he shares with his team, Aqeel firmly believes that a spirit of cooperation among team members is essential to overcoming challenges and preventing mistakes. He recalls a particularly memorable example of teamwork within his team: « After a gruelling day, when we get back to our operations centre, everyone plays an active part in easing the pressure and there is a permanent smile on everyone's face ».
Aqeel points out that the harsh summer conditions, with scorching temperatures and dust everywhere, are real obstacles to meeting the targets set in their plans. He notes: « On some days the temperature goes above 45 degrees, but we persevere because we understand how important our work is to the safety of the people who live in this region ».
Given how demanding their work is in difficult conditions, Aqeel's unwavering commitment means being with the team every single day. Everyone has learned to give priority to strict compliance with our established safety procedures, with the greatest diligence and without compromise
One of the project's main aims is to strengthen technical capacity, with the ultimate goal of ensuring SHO's sustainability after HAMAP-Humanitaire leaves. Aqeel is a strong advocate of this mission and contributes actively to improving the operational team's technical skills. The training provided, which meets national and international mine action standards as well as SHO's standard operating procedures, strengthens the capacity of every team member and keeps everyone safe in this difficult environment. As Aqeel put it: « I firmly believe that this training is the only way to give local NGOs autonomy, allowing them to manage on their own and to keep going once international support declines. Technical knowledge in mine action is a powerful tool in our fight against contamination, and we work hard to build that knowledge in our team. »
The project has already recorded many successes. Aqeel shared some heartening success stories that underline the profound impact of their clearance work on the Sinjar community. Among them, the story of a local farmer who was able to recover his land and start growing crops again thanks to their efforts. This tangible transformation, with normal life returning to the community, is powerful testimony to the deep importance of SHO's work in promoting safety, prosperity and hope in Sinjar.
Aqeel puts these successes down to the importance of building strong relationships and close ties with the local community. He points out that most residents are very cooperative with SHO's clearance teams. This positive interaction is largely made possible by the explosive ordnance risk education team, who liaise with the community before the clearance teams arrive on the ground, presenting the project's aims and objectives.
The project ensures gender equity in both clearance teams, an approach Aqeel says he finds highly commendable. He has great admiration for the dedicated women who work alongside their male colleagues. He points out that there are two teams, one led by a woman and one by a man, both of which have shown exceptional productivity and enthusiasm. These team members fully take on their role in fields traditionally dominated by men, showing deep commitment. Aqeel believes that projects like this, offering equal opportunities to both sexes, have the potential to reshape how society sees the role of women;
Aqeel's commitment to clearance in Sinjar illustrates the resilience of people working to make their community safer. His dedication, and that of his team, is a glimmer of hope for the people of Iraq, and of Sinjar in particular, and a reminder of the positive impact that international and local partnerships can have in the face of adversity and in the return of safety and security.