Landmines plague area equal to 300,000 football fields in Iraq

WAM
04 Apr 2025, 23:27 GMT+10

BAGHDAD, 4th April, 2025 (WAM) - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) contaminate an estimated 2,100 square kilometres of Iraqi land, a devastating area comparable to nearly 300,000 football fields.

The contamination, resulting from conflicts including the Iran-Iraq War and the 2014-2017 campaign against Daesh, continues to endanger civilians, displace families, restrict farmland access, and delay reconstruction efforts.

The ICRC recorded 78 casualties from landmines and ERW between 2023 and 2024. In early 2025, three students were killed in an explosion in Abu Al-Khasib, Basra.

Marking the International Day for Mine Awareness on April 4, the ICRC, in a statement today, called for increased efforts to reduce contamination and support mine-affected communities. Clearance operations continue in cooperation with national authorities and humanitarian partners.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Baton Rouge Post.

More Information

null in null

Business

Section

FCC investigates Disney, ABC amid diversity policy scrutiny

FCC opening probe into diversity practices at Disney and ABC

WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES: The U.S. government is intensifying scrutiny of corporate diversity policies, with Disney and ABC now under...

US states compete for role in smaller next-gen nuclear power

Small, cheap nuclear reactors see US states racing to attract industry

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania: New, cheaper nuclear power is on the way, and U.S. states are competing to build and supply the next generation...

Taiwan's President Lai gathered officials ahead of Trump's tariffs speech

Taiwan president was prepared for U.S. tariffs

TAIPEI, Taiwan: Taiwan's leadership was on high alert ahead of the U.S. tariff announcement, with President Lai Ching-te convening...

Gold goes past $3,100 amid global uncertainty, inflation fears

Gold surges past $3,100/oz, set for best quarter since 1986

WASHINGTON, D.C.: Gold surged past US$3,100 an ounce on March 31, extending a record-breaking rally fueled by global uncertainty and...

U.S. and world stocks tumble, Nasdaq Composite drops nearly 6%

Dow Jones plunges 1,679 points amid global stock rout

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stock markets plunged on Thursday in reaction to major trade tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump....

Boeing’s Jeppesen sale heats up as bids top $8 billion

Aerospace firms close in on $8 billion-plus Boeing navigation unit

ENGLEWOOD, Colorado: Boeing's high-stakes auction of its navigation unit Jeppesen has entered its final stages, drawing intense interest...

World

Section