Female minesweepers at work in Mosul - in pictures

Seeking out mines planted by Islamic State militants

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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