Kurdistan Region clears nearly 733 acres of mine-contaminated land

ERBIL — The General Directorate of Mine Affairs in the Kurdistan Region has announced that they cleared approximately 733 acres of land contaminated with landmines and unexploded ordnance in 2024.

In a press conference in Erbil, Jabar Mustafa, head of the General Directorate of Mine Affairs said, this clearance involved 36 minefields and 71 battlefields, “making these areas safe for agriculture, livestock farming, economic development, and residential use.”

The cleared pieces of land have been handed back to its rightful owners.

In the process, 25,337 hazardous items were safely removed. This included anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, improvised explosive devices, and unexploded ordnance from previous conflicts.

Despite these efforts, 2024 saw 11 casualties from landmine and explosive remnants across the Kurdistan region, with four fatalities and seven others sustaining injuries or amputations,

In 2023, 23 landmine-related incidents were recorded, resulting in 10 deaths and 13 injuries.

Additionally, the directorate reported that 72,406 individuals benefited from mine risk awareness programs designed to educate residents on the dangers of mines and unexploded ordnance.

The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been heavily affected by landmine contamination due to decades of conflict, including the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War, and internal strife. An estimated 776 square kilometers of land were initially contaminated, posing significant risks to local communities and hindering economic development. Since demining efforts began in 1992, approximately 576 square kilometers have been cleared, leaving about 200 square kilometers still hazardous.