DEMINETEC in Baghdad

DEMINETEC operates in Baghdad

DEMINETEC, a French company headquartered in La Seyne-sur-Mer (Var), delivers civilian demining (pyrotechnic clearance) and unexploded ordnance (UXO) risk management services to public and private clients in Baghdad, Iraq. We cover the full chain from historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT) to ordnance neutralisation and disposal, in line with French Decree 2005-1325 and international best practice.

Pyrotechnic historical context of Baghdad

Baghdad carries a massive unexploded ordnance (UXO) legacy built up over four decades of conflict: the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the 1991 Gulf War, the 2003 US-led invasion and the war against ISIS (2014-2017). The city endured intense air bombardment during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, as well as widespread urban detonations since 2003.

UXO is distributed across the Mansour, Kadhimiya, Dora, Karkh and Rusafa districts, along the Tigris riverbanks and in surrounding farmland. The Iraqi Directorate of Mine Action, Iraqi Army engineers and international operators (UNMAS, HALO Trust, MAG) recover thousands of munitions every year.

Major reconstruction projects in Baghdad — Baghdad Metro, Baghdad International Airport expansion, housing, electrical and oil infrastructure — require prior pyrotechnic historical studies and magnetometric surveys aligned with IMAS standards and the French Decree 2005-1325 reference framework.

Our services in Baghdad

Historical pyrotechnic desk study (EHT)

Document research in national and foreign archives to qualify pyrotechnic risk on a site (bombings, combat, depots, ranges).

Pyrotechnic safety study (ESP)

Residual risk assessment, definition of effect zones, safety perimeters and collective protective measures.

Magnetometric geophysical survey

On-site detection of ferromagnetic anomalies, surface or deep, onshore or underwater.

UXO clearance

Extraction, identification and neutralisation / disposal of munitions by our NEDEX / EOD-qualified operators.

Underwater expertise

Survey and clearance in ports, rivers and offshore environments, in partnership with our group company SEMTEC.

Why choose DEMINETEC for Baghdad?

French licensed company, ISO 9001 and MASE certified, compliant with French Decree 2005-1325.
Teams of former French Navy and Army EOD operators (NEDEX / EOD qualifications).
Over 30 years of accumulated experience in France and on international projects.
Onshore and underwater intervention capacity through the DEMINETEC group (SEMTEC, GEODE, DEMINETEC ECG).
Quick response: quote within 48 hours, rapid mobilisation in France and abroad.

War history and explosive contamination in Baghdad

The Battle of Baghdad took place from April 3 to 9, 2003, during the invasion of Iraq. Coalition Forces Land Component Command elements, led by the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Division, fought Iraqi forces in Baghdad. Limited bombing began on March 19, followed by the main U.S. and allied bombing campaign on March 21, which involved approximately 1,700 air sorties, including 504 using cruise missiles. During the invasion, coalition aircraft conducted bombing runs on Baghdad at a rate of 1,000 sorties a day, mainly against the Republican Guard and Special Republican Guard. United States and United Kingdom aircraft included B-52s, Harrier GR7s and A-10 Warthogs. Royal Air Force Tornados also attacked radar defence systems protecting Baghdad.

Fighting affected Baghdad International Airport, At Tuwayhah, Highway 8, Objective Curly and the Jumhuriya Bridge. Iraqi forces organised hybrid paramilitary and regular army groups, deployed improvised barriers and destroyed the eastern Diyala River bridges to obstruct U.S. mechanised units. On April 3, U.S. forces fought for Baghdad International Airport, where mortar fire killed two U.S. soldiers. On April 4, Marines fought the Al Nida Division and foreign Islamist fighters at At Tuwayhah. On April 5 and April 7, U.S. armoured forces conducted Thunder Runs through Baghdad. On April 7, an Ababil-100 SSM missile or Iraqi FROG-7 rocket exploded among vehicles at Objective Curly. On April 8, Iraqi forces counterattacked across the Jumhuriya Bridge. Baghdad was formally occupied on April 9, although fighting continued in the city and its outskirts.

Areas and structures concerned

Baghdad International Airport
At Tuwayhah
Jumhuriya Bridge
Objective Curly
Highway 8
eastern Diyala River bridges
Baghdad

Expected ordnance and implications for survey

The account cites cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, bombs, artillery, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, recoilless rifles, tank main-gun rounds, surface-to-air missiles, Patriot missiles, Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, Ababil-100 surface-to-surface missiles and FROG-7 rockets. It also records anti-aircraft guns used in the ground role and T-72 tanks. The range of aerial, artillery, anti-armour, tank and rocket systems identifies different ordnance categories and impact locations for historical survey and clearance planning.

FAQ: explosive risk in Baghdad

When did armed fighting and bombing take place in Baghdad during the 2003 invasion?

Limited bombing began on March 19, 2003, and the main bombing campaign began on March 21. The Battle of Baghdad ran from April 3 to 9. Coalition forces formally occupied Baghdad on April 9, although fighting continued in the city and its outskirts after the occupation began.

Which Baghdad locations were directly associated with reported explosive attacks or fighting?

Reported fighting or explosive incidents occurred at Baghdad International Airport, At Tuwayhah, Objective Curly, Highway 8 and the Jumhuriya Bridge. Iraqi forces also destroyed the eastern Diyala River bridges and deployed improvised barriers to obstruct U.S. mechanised units approaching Baghdad.

What ordnance types were used or reported in the Baghdad fighting?

Reported systems included cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, artillery, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, recoilless rifles, tank main-gun rounds, surface-to-air missiles, Patriot missiles, Javelin anti-tank guided missiles, Ababil-100 surface-to-surface missiles and FROG-7 rockets.

Reference : Wikipédia — Battle of Baghdad (2003)

Territorial coverage

DEMINETEC operates in Baghdad and across Iraq from our French head office (285 avenue Marcel Paul, 83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, France). We mobilise teams and technical assets to fit each mission: documentary studies, short field surveys, or long-duration clearance operations.

Frequently asked questions about UXO clearance in Baghdad

Which munitions are typically found?

In Baghdad and across Iraq, the most frequently recovered items include artillery shells, hand grenades, landmines, aerial bombs and — in coastal areas — naval mines. Exact typology depends on the site history and is the focus of the prior historical desk study (EHT).

Does French Decree 2005-1325 apply abroad?

French Decree 2005-1325 governs civilian pyrotechnic clearance on French soil. Internationally, DEMINETEC uses it as a best-practice benchmark alongside IMAS (International Mine Action Standards) and the contractual requirements specific to Iraq.

How long does a mission in Baghdad typically last?

Duration varies with surface area, investigation depth and anomaly density. An EHT desk study takes 2-6 weeks, a magnetometric survey from a few days to several months, and active clearance from a few weeks up to multiple years for major projects.

Do you operate underwater?

Yes. Through our subsidiary SEMTEC and the DEMINETEC group, we provide commercial diving, underwater magnetometry and submerged-ordnance neutralisation for ports, rivers, lakes and coastal areas.

Contact DEMINETEC for Baghdad

For any historical study, diagnostic or pyrotechnic clearance request, contact our teams:

DEMINETEC SAS
285 avenue Marcel Paul
83500 La Seyne-sur-Mer, FRANCE
Tél: +33 (0)9 52 51 00 63
Email: contact@deminetec.com