Kani Spi (“White Spring”) village sits next to a mine field on the Iraq/Iran border. Villagers live every day in a death trap, caught between the beauty of nature and the military violence of past and current governments.

Mr. Mahmud has been fighting to restore the beautiful countryside for decades by removing the mines, at a steep price: the loss of one brother, one son, and his leg. Now Turkey and Iran are conducting heavy bombardments in the region, forcing people to move and abandon their way of life.

The United States shares intelligence with Turkey to help Turkey and Iran combat Kurdish political groups. But often those attacks are on civilian villages. Mr. Mahmud wants the three countries to stop their military actions so he can clear the landmines from the field.

CPT’s Work: CPT accompanies villages like Kani Spi, documenting their experience, and advocating with decision-makers for a cease to state-sponsored violence and bombing.