Five cleared parcels of land handed over to farmers in Sulaymaniyah

SULAYMANIYAH– Five land parcels previously contaminated with mines have been cleared and handed over to farmers in the Sulaymaniyah’s Chwarta town on Wednesday, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Mine Action Agency.

The Kurdistan Region remains one of the most mine-contaminated areas due to decades of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War and confrontations with the former Baathist regime. Landmines continue to endanger residents, particularly in rural and remote regions.

The cleared areas, located in the villages of Kozi and Wliawa, were part of a broader demining initiative. The parcels, formerly minefields, covering a total area of 149,834 square meters.

The demining efforts have enabled local farmers to safely cultivate their land after years of waiting.

Jabbar Mustafa, Director of the KRG’s Mine Action Agency, told 964media that 576 square kilometers of land have been cleared from the 776 square kilometers initially identified as mined in the Kurdistan Region. However, 200 square kilometers remain contaminated. He added that landmines have impacted 13,580 individuals, with approximately 5,000 fatalities reported.

In 2023 alone, 23 landmine incidents were recorded, leading to 10 deaths and 13 injuries.