Mine Action Agency: We cleared 65% of Kurdistan Region's mines

Kurdistan 11:57 AM - 2021-04-04

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On World Day of Mine Awareness, the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency announced that 65 % of mines in the Kurdistan Region have been cleared.

 

The Agency pointed out that 84 million and 41,425 meter-squares of land have been cleared of mine despite the economic crisis.

 

The Agency also said that it will continue to raise awareness of the dangers of mine.

 

Most mines in the Kurdistan Region date back to the 1980s, from the Iran-Iraq war as the Iraqi regime planted thousands of explosives on the border to hinder the advance of Iranian troops. The eight-year war between the two neighboring states began in September 1980 and lasted until August 1988.

 

Since 1991, many local and international mine-related organizations have contributed to clear explosives from the Iraq-Iran border. Large swaths of territory remain a danger to civilians as they have yet to be de-mined or have only been partially cleared.

 

It is noteworthy that every year, April 4 is observed as the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. The day was approved by the General Assembly on 8 December in the year 2005. This day aims to seek assistance for mine action work, raise awareness about landmines and advance toward their eradication. The mine action community around the world, led by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), starts rolling out activities a week in advance.

 

 

 

PUKmedia