Based on footage and information received and verified by Hana Human Rights Organization, the presence of a suspected landmine or other explosive device in the area of Shirali Hill in the city of Divandareh has raised serious concerns about the safety of civilians and the possible presence of landmines and other unexploded ordnance in the area.
Shirali Hill is located near the Bagh-e Bava Haji and Bisanjar areas, adjacent to Divandareh’s urban zone. The site had previously been designated for the development of green space and the construction of a forest park. According to information verified by Hana, the area was formerly used as a deployment site by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces. However, following the end of its military use, the necessary clearance and safety measures were not carried out.
In September 2025, Hana reported a separate incident in Divandareh in which four children were injured in a landmine explosion. The recurrence of such hazards highlights the serious risks posed by explosive devices in residential and public areas, as well as the lack of effective preventive measures to protect civilians.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has continued to refuse to accede to the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, also known as the Ottawa Convention, and has justified its use of these weapons on security grounds. However, non-accession to the Convention does not absolve the government of its responsibility to protect the right to life. Under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the state is obligated to take effective protective measures against foreseeable threats to human life.
Hana Human Rights Organization emphasizes that the continued presence of landmine hazards near urban areas is a serious indication of the prioritization of the Islamic Republic’s military and security considerations over the lives and well-being of civilians in Kurdistan. Hana calls for an immediate assessment of the area by specialized mine-clearance teams, the marking of hazardous locations, restrictions on access to dangerous areas, and the complete clearance of the site.
Hana also urges residents of Divandareh to refrain from entering suspected areas, approaching unidentified objects, or attempting to handle them until the area has been officially confirmed safe.