Female minesweepers at work in Mosul - in pictures

Seeking out mines planted by Islamic State militants

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  Female Iraqi team members of Swiss Foundation for Mine Action wear safety equipment to work at a minefield trying to remove mines planted by Islamic State militants, on the outskirts of Mosul, Iraq March 27, 2022. Picture taken March 27, 2022. REUTERS / Khalid al-Mousily

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  It is a job normally reserved for men but this group of women has taken on the dangerous task of clearing mines in the northern Iraqi region.

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  Wearing safety equipment, the women try to remove mines planted by ISIS militants.

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  The area surrounding Mosul is littered with concealed explosives left behind by the terrorist group.

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  A sign offers an indication of the perilous nature of the work.

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  The women are risking their lives but shattering stereotypes at the same time.

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  The painstaking task is helping to rebuild lives by making areas safer.

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  In some areas, almost every family has a story to tell of a family member lost to wartime munitions.

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  The sweeping is done using metal detectors, although some landmines are found after being reported by members of the public who have stumbled across the unexploded devices.

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