Debris removal project begins in Batnaya, paving way for recovery in Northern Iraq

BATNAYA, Iraq — Reconstruction efforts in the war-torn Nineveh Plains town of Batnaya, Iraq, advanced significantly this week as authorities began clearing rubble from homes destroyed during the conflict with the Islamic State (ISIS). The debris removal initiative, supported by the Chaldean Community Foundation, represents a vital phase in the restoration of normalcy to the predominantly Christian town in northern Iraq.

In close coordination with the foundation’s office in Iraq, Nineveh Governor Abdul Qader al-Dakhil instructed the Tel Kaif Municipality and other relevant agencies to initiate the cleanup operation. The project follows a formal request made earlier this year by local residents, the village council, and Father Farid Kena, the parish priest of Batnaya, during a February visit by the governor and Martin Manna, president of the Chaldean Community Foundation in the United States.

The initial phase of the project began yesterday, focusing on properties officially cleared for debris removal. Officials are optimistic that this effort will pave the way for rebuilding homes and public services, encouraging displaced families to return after years of upheaval.

Batnaya, once a thriving town in Nineveh Plains, was devastated after years of occupation and fighting. Kurdish Peshmerga forces recaptured the area from ISIS in October 2016 during the broader Mosul offensive. Despite this, recovery has been slow, with much of the town still bearing the physical and emotional scars of war.

Local leaders regard this renewed push for reconstruction as a turning point, both practical and symbolic. “This is not just about removing rubble,” one official remarked. “It’s about restoring hope.”