Environmental Observatory: Clearing Iraq of Landmines and War Remnants Requires 15 Years

A specialized environmental observatory revealed that approximately 4,800 square kilometers of Iraqi territory are contaminated with landmines and war remnants, placing Iraq among the most affected countries globally. These remnants have accumulated due to successive wars since the 1980s, compounded by recent terrorist operations in several provinces. The observatory explained that this vast contamination incapacitates millions of agricultural dunams, noting that complete clearance will require 10 to 15 years and substantial budgets. It also emphasized the need for strict oversight to address alleged corruption in the mine clearance and land rehabilitation processes.