After a devastating conflict and the lasting danger of explosive remnants, Sinjar's road to recovery has been marked by stories of resilience and hope, and by the tireless work of organisations such as Shareteah Humanitarian Organization (SHO), HAMAP's local partner in Iraq.
HAMAP-Humanitaire's Iraqi team recently visited the land where SHO's teams carried out their clearance operations and removed 5 improvised explosive devices, tactically laid by the Islamic State.
These extensive clearance operations not only removed these deadly threats, they also revealed the striking transformation in the lives of local communities.
Meeting the shepherd brothers:
Nazar and Hadhar Arab, from the district of Baaj just south of Sinjar, shared their experiences. Hadhar highlighted the considerable impact of clearance on his family of 22. Before, they would not venture onto this land because of the explosives in plain sight. Clearance not only gave them access to the land, it also raised hopes that the wells could be repaired. Hadhar underlined the invaluable help provided by SHO's operational team: « Having clear paths matters enormously, especially during the difficult summer months, to keep our livestock supplied with water. We can now deliver water with our truck in complete confidence, without having to worry about safety ».
While the houses in the dangerous area wait to be renovated, residents have begun to make responsible use of the land again. Hadhar recalls with nostalgia that before the war they grazed their animals in harmony with local residents. The clearance work has not only restored their freedom of movement, it has also reopened vital routes for water supply.
After clearance, the farmers return:
Kamal Jalal Hseen, a farmer and head of a family, painted a striking picture of his journey. Forced to flee to Mount Sinjar during the conflict, he finally returned to Sinjar in 2016 after its liberation. Kamal said: « I love farming, and as soon as I heard that the dangerous area had been cleared by the SHO teams, I wasted no time in seizing the chance to rent a farm and take up farming again ». Kamal added that « before clearance, fear of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) had prevented farmers, including those whose livelihoods depended on farming and livestock, from reaching their land ».
Now that the area is safe, Kamal no longer feels any threat, a feeling shared by his fellow farmers. He acknowledges that clearance has not only given people confidence, it has also had a calming effect on their animals.
Sinjar's revival has given hope back to the younger generation. Hayam Fawzi Mirza, Kamal's wife, recalls that children once lived in fear, kept indoors by their parents' warnings. Today, after the clearance operations, children move about freely and families are taking back their land.
Khodeda Rasho, another farmer and a father of eight, expressed his deep gratitude for the clearance of his land. He believes this work has not only given landowners confidence, it has also opened the way for others to return. He made a heartfelt call for clearance activities to be extended to the houses and hills that may still hold dangers.
A teacher and campaigner welcomes the work of HAMAP-Humanitaire and SHO in Sinjar:
Wansa Joqi Sleman, a primary school teacher and a dedicated campaigner for Yazidi women, highlighted the crucial role of SHO's activities, including explosive ordnance risk education and clearance operations: « Since the clearance operations succeeded, we have seen a profound transformation in our community. Children now enjoy the freedom to move around without restriction. People have got their land back and shepherds can graze their livestock in the area without fear ».
She went on to express her sincere appreciation for the risk education sessions, particularly those using appealing and entertaining methods such as puppet shows. These sessions actively involve the children, so that the information given really resonates with them: « Many children in our village have lived in camps and are used to child-friendly spaces, which sadly do not exist here, and parents are not able to fill that gap. »
The community leader's view:
Abu Reyan, the Mukhtar of West Rambosi, welcomed us into his home and gave us the community's perspective. He highlighted the significant impact of the clearance operations, particularly on safety and livelihoods.
He pointed to the difficulties the community faces, notably the limited financial support for reconstruction and the absence of the compensation that had been promised. Even so, he expressed hope and gratitude for the clearance work, which has made the land safer and more accessible.
He also stressed the importance of involving women in clearance, citing how society has changed since the conflict began in 2014. Women play a more active part in many aspects of life, including driving and demining, a mark of their resilience and strength in the face of adversity: « As we left Sinjar, we left behind a community steadily finding its feet again in a region once gripped by danger and despair. Thanks to the collective efforts of organisations such as SHO and to the resilience of the population, Sinjar is on the road to recovery, one cleared field at a time. »
Bringing an ancestral heritage back to life
Barakat Khalaf Ilyas, a devoted landowner and father of ten, shares a compelling story of resilience and hope in the face of adversity. His journey reflects the experience of many people in Sinjar, Iraq, working to rebuild their lives and their community after the scourge of the Islamic State and the lasting threat of explosive remnants.
In 2014 the advance of the Islamic State forced Barakat and his family to flee, seeking refuge in the Duhok region of Kurdistan. The years that followed were marked by uncertainty and hardship as they struggled with the devastation caused by the conflict. One major obstacle stood in the way of their return: the contamination of their beloved land by explosive remnants.
Barakat expresses his deep gratitude for the vital role played by SHO's clearance operations. The meticulous work of the clearance teams, SHO's included, has allowed the land he holds dear to become a safe and fertile haven once more. The removal of numerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) has allowed him and his family to look forward to a better future. Barakat explains that he stayed closely involved in the clearance operations, receiving daily updates from the teams.
Barakat said: « For my brother and me, the land we own is not just an asset, it is part of our heritage. Our attachment to this ancestral land runs deep and connects us to past generations. Despite the hardships we have faced, the dream of returning to the land and taking up our everyday life again has never faded ».
The story of Barakat Khalaf Ilyas embodies the resilience and hope that characterise the people of Sinjar, who are overcoming adversity and working towards a better future. With continued support and collaborative effort, people like Barakat are writing a new chapter in Sinjar's history, one marked by renewal and growth.
