2 Iraqi soldiers killed by ISIS-era explosive device in Nineveh province

Two Iraqi soldiers were killed and two others wounded on Sunday when an improvised explosive device left behind by ISIS militants detonated during a search and inspection operation in Nineveh province.

The incident took place north of the Rawa desert in southern Nineveh while army units from the Jazeera Operations Command and the 7th Infantry Division were conducting field operations, according to a statement from Iraq’s Ministry of Defense.

The ministry confirmed the device was a remnant from the ISIS era. The two wounded soldiers were immediately transferred to a hospital for treatment. No further details were released about their condition or the exact circumstances of the detonation.

Officials stressed that no active ISIS militants were reported at the site, and the explosion was not described as a newly planted attack. The ministry said Iraqi forces would continue operations across their areas of responsibility, remaining committed to eliminating remaining terrorist threats, destroying hideouts, and clearing affected areas until security is fully restored.

The casualties occurred just days after Iraq formally entered a new security phase following the end of the international Coalition’s military mission on September 30. Iraqi forces now hold primary responsibility for protecting the country’s territory and confronting residual security threats from the group’s former strongholds.