diff --git a/.upgradenotes/MDL-72050-2025021912300902.yml b/.upgradenotes/MDL-72050-2025021912300902.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..d2f0a1d5fcf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.upgradenotes/MDL-72050-2025021912300902.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+issueNumber: MDL-72050
+notes:
+  core_files:
+    - message: >-
+        A new function `file_clear_draft_area()` has been added to delete the
+        files in a draft area.
+      type: improved
diff --git a/lib/filelib.php b/lib/filelib.php
index 68f662f5a4f..0b3b4b7f74a 100644
--- a/lib/filelib.php
+++ b/lib/filelib.php
@@ -1313,6 +1313,19 @@ function file_save_draft_area_files($draftitemid, $contextid, $component, $filea
     }
 }
 
+/**
+ * Clear a draft area.
+ *
+ * @param int $draftitemid Id of the draft area to clear.
+ * @return boolean success
+ */
+function file_clear_draft_area(int $draftitemid): bool {
+    global $USER;
+    $fs = get_file_storage();
+    $usercontext = context_user::instance($USER->id);
+    return $fs->delete_area_files($usercontext->id, 'user', 'draft', $draftitemid);
+}
+
 /**
  * Convert the draft file area URLs in some content to @@PLUGINFILE@@ tokens
  * ready to be saved in the database. Normally, this is done automatically by