KRG Mine Agency seeks $400 million in funding for landmine clearance in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) Mine Action Agency has revealed that over 776 square kilometers of land in the region remain contaminated with landmines, calling for immediate funding to accelerate clearance efforts. The agency is requesting a share of a $400 million loan provided by the British Import Agency to the Iraqi government, but the funds have yet to be allocated to the Kurdistan Region.

Niyazi Khalid, Deputy Head of the Mine Action Agency, told Kurdistan24 that despite ongoing efforts, the Iraqi government has not allocated any funds for mine clearance in Kurdistan Region. He stressed the importance of securing the region’s 12.27 percent share of the loan, amounting to approximately $70 billion Iraqi dinars, to expedite demining operations.

“As the General Agency for Mine Affairs, we have formally requested our share of the $400 million British loan, in accordance with Article 106(1) of the General Board for Import Monitoring and Identification,” Khalid said. “We have worked diligently on this matter, submitting multiple letters to Baghdad, and finally sent a delegation to discuss the issue with Iraqi officials.”

According to Khalid, the KRG has already designated 17.5 square kilometers of mine-affected land for clearance and submitted a project proposal to Baghdad. The next step is for the Iraqi Ministry of Planning to approve the project, though it remains uncertain whether funding will be allocated this year or the next.

Khalid highlighted the progress made over the past three decades, during which various organizations and mine clearance agencies have removed landmines from 520 square kilometers of Kurdistan. However, approximately 100 square kilometers of land remain heavily mined, particularly along the Iran-Turkey border, where security challenges complicate clearance efforts.

He expressed concern about the remaining timeline, citing the Ottawa Treaty’s requirement to clear all mines and explosive remnants from Iraq and the Kurdistan Region by 2028. “The time left is insufficient to declare the entire country mine-free by 2028,” Khalid warned. “The KRG alone requires more than $1 billion to clear over 100,000 landmines and explosive devices.”

The Ottawa Treaty, signed by 164 countries in 1997, prohibits the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel mines. Iraq joined the agreement in 2008, committing to eliminating anti-personnel mines from its territory within a decade.

The KRG Mine Agency continues to work with international partners and local teams to reduce the threat posed by landmines, but Khalid emphasized that securing sufficient funding is crucial for completing the mission and ensuring the safety of the region’s population.