Prior to the ISIL occupation, Kudila had approximately 130 occupied homes and an estimated population of 800 people. ISIL entered this village in 2014 and left after 2 years of occupation. 20 houses were destroyed but 110 are still habitable. The local population now stands at an estimated 300 people.

This land is vital to allow the inhabitants to return to their homes and once again earn a living from growing crops and grazing animals in the surrounding farmlands. Unfortunately, ISIL heavily mined these lands with improvised explosive devices.

2 years ago, FSD began clearance activities in this village. Due to the dense contamination levels of explosive ordnance, it was decided to deploy for the first time FSD Mechanical Asset (Armoured Excavator) to assist in excavating the main charges of the improvised explosive devices. Last February, FSD was able to successfully excavate 765 improvised explosive devices in this hazard area.

Hopefully, FSD deminers who are currently on lockdown because of the Covid crisis, will soon be able to go get back at work, to finish clearance and to help people to return to their village and use the land to support their families after many years of fear and uncertainty.