Awareness Seminar on Unexploded War Remnants at the College of Applied Sciences
The College of Applied Sciences at the University of Samarra organized an awareness seminar on Unexploded Ordnance (UXO), aiming to enhance public awareness of the dangers of these remnants and how to deal with them safely.
The seminar was presented by Assistant Lecturer Hanaa Naif Mohammed and Mr. Mahmoud Saleh Hussein, Head of the Civil Defense Division at the university presidency. The session addressed both the scientific and practical aspects of these hazardous materials, as well as prevention measures and reporting procedures in case any dangerous object is found.
The seminar defined unexploded war remnants as including shells, rockets, mines, and bombs that failed to detonate after being launched or deployed. It highlighted that such materials may remain active and dangerous for many years, with their external appearance changing due to rust and environmental factors, making them difficult to identify. They may also be found underground, on the surface, or inside damaged buildings.
The presenters emphasized essential safety measures when encountering any suspicious object, including immediately keeping a safe distance, avoiding touching or tampering with it, marking the area from a secure distance, and promptly notifying the relevant authorities or civil defense teams.
They also warned against dangerous behaviors such as approaching out of curiosity or for photography, collecting such objects as scrap metal, burning them, throwing them, or handling them in any way.
The seminar concluded by stressing the importance of continued awareness in conflict-affected areas and the need to protect children and farmers from these hazards, which hinder reconstruction efforts and threaten community safety. Informational leaflets containing basic safety guidelines were also distributed to attendees.
