Overview of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Iraq

The magnitude of Iraq’s problem with mine and unexploded remnants of war together with the socio-economic impact needs to be determined and addressed as a matter of urgency. As a recent signatory to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, Iraq’s committed to be free of the impact of mines and unexploded ordnance by 2018. However, Iraq will need sixty times its current demining capacity to achieve this target.

This report is aimed at local, provincial and national policymakers as well as the international community including aid agencies and NGOs. It provides an analysis of the current situation, highlights some of the achievements of Mine Action programmes so far and outlines the important challenges still to be met.

The report recommends a multi-dimensional approach including the Iraqi government, the United Nations and humanitarian mine action organisations. These would include some of the following actions for key actors: 

• The Government of Iraq should establish a regulatory framework and cross-ministerial committee for Mine Action, conduct a national survey on landmines and explosive remnants to obtain a full picture on the situation, develop a new all-inclusive Mine Action strategy and mainstream Mine Action in the National Development Strategy, continue to provide education on the risks of landlines and unexploded remnants to the Iraqi people 
  
• The international community should continue its assistance and technical support to Iraq, particularly given that existing demining and clearance capacity is not enough to meet the 2018 target. 
  
• United Nations should support institutional development (e.g. preparation of Mine Action legislation) and operational capacity building support

The report also highlights the important role Iraqis have to play in supporting Mine Action by reporting any landmines and unexploded remnants to the police, respecting the markings of dangerous areas and develop alternative areas to be used as farmland.