KRG Achieves Major Progress in Landmine Clearance Across the Region
According to the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA), over 11.3 million square meters of landmines have been cleared in the Kurdistan Region.
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) ninth cabinet has announced significant achievements in its ongoing campaign to protect citizens, support reconstruction, and safeguard the environment through extensive landmine clearance operations.
According to the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency (IKMAA), over 11.3 million square meters of landmines have been cleared in the Kurdistan Region. As a result, 52 minefields have been completely cleared and returned to their rightful owners, enhancing public safety and improving livelihoods in affected communities.
IKMAA teams have successfully destroyed over 20,856 landmines and more than 125,627 unexploded ordnances (UXO), removing life-threatening hazards and contributing to long-term stability and development.
Alongside clearance operations, IKMAA has launched a region-wide awareness campaign to educate the public about the dangers of landmines and explosive remnants of war. Awareness teams are being deployed to border areas and high-risk communities, from Garmiyan to Zakho, providing vital safety information and guidance.
Public Safety Notice
IKMAA has urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspected landmines, explosives, or suspicious objects immediately by calling the agency’s free hotline: 182.
Citizens are encouraged to stay informed and cautious, particularly in areas with a history of conflict. Reporting suspicious items promptly can save lives and help IKMAA continue its mission to make the region safer for everyone.
on Wednesday afternoon, a landmine explosion in the highlands of Khwari Miran, located on the slopes of Mount Halgurd in Erbil’s Choman district, killed one person.
Mohammed Jabbar, director of Choman General Hospital, told Kurdistan24 correspondent Tayfur Mohammed that the victim, identified as 25-year-old Karzan Mirza from Nawanda village, succumbed to his injuries after being struck by the blast.
With landmines populating 650 million square meters of land, Iraq has the most landmines of any country worldwide, according to the international Landmine Monitor. Of the approximately 650 million square meters containing explosives in the country, nearly half (314 million) are in the Kurdistan Region.
This makes the Kurdistan Region one of the most heavily mine-affected areas globally. The presence of these explosives not only endangers lives but also hinders agricultural and economic development in the region. Efforts to clear these areas remain ongoing but face significant challenges due to the scale and complexity of the problem.
