Iraq: Four-legged heroes show dogged determination to clear ISIS bombs in Mosul

SUMMARY: When Iraqi and coalition forces pushed into Mosul, fleeing ISIS fighters left behind hundreds of deadly improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some of these IEDs were laid to limit access to water systems and other key infrastructure, while others were designed to thwart rebuilding efforts. Still other IEDs were clearly intended to terrorize Iraqi families returning to their homes: explosives rigged to light switches and water taps, hidden in household appliances, buried under debris, and even left behind in children’s toys. With support from U.S. Embassy Baghdad and the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, explosive ordnance disposal teams depend on the unique skills of specially trained dogs like Aron and Vivi to safely identify these concealed hazards that are impacting the ability of families to safely return to and rebuild their communities.