Portfolio Iraq

Country in The Middle East, bordering the Persian Gulf, 432,162 sq km. Population 2003 ca. 24,6 million. Population composition: Arab 75%-80%, Kurdish 15%-20%, Turkoman, Assyrian or other 5%.

Cause and scope of the landmine problem

The Iran-Iraq war from 1980-88, two decades of internal conflict, the 1991 Gulf War, and the US led invasion of Iraq in 2003, have caused a massive problem of landmines- and UXO contamination in Iraq.

NPA history in country

NPA started its Mine Action Programme in Iraqi Kurdistan in 1995. Initially, the main priority was clearing mines and other explosives in order to facilitate for return for the displaced Kurdish population. The geographical focus has been on the sub-district of Mawat in the district of Sharbazher in the Governonate of Suleymaniyah. After the fall of Saddam Hussein’s regime, the MAP in Northern Iraq has expanded both geographically and in mode of operation. The team has moved southwards in to Khanaquin and Diala and are now also conducting EOD tasks, removing large stockpiles of ammunition.

NPA also started an Emergency Mine Action Programme in Baghdad in the beginning of July 2003. NPA has been assisting in the normalisation process by clearing large ammunition stockpiles that were stored in and around the city, putting the ammunition beyond reach of those who might do harm to themselves or others. NPA has set-up EOD teams consisting of personnel from the Iraqi Civil Defence in Baghdad and handpicked local employees. These teams have now been transferred to the national Iraqi mine clearance organisation, IMCO. NPA suspended its operations in Baghdad in June 2004 due to the security situation in the Iraqi capital.

Capacity

NPA Northern Iraq, Personnel: 130 national staff.

Donors

Northern Iraq: The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ECHO.

EMAP Baghdad was funded by: The Royal Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, US Department of State, and ECHO.

Links

Landmine Monitor Report for Iraq: www.icbl.org/lm/country/iraq