[CPEO-MEF] MUNITIONS, GLOBAL: "U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program – Iraq"

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

U.S. Conventional Weapons Destruction Program – Iraq

BY MACIEJ HEYMAN
MilTech
August 17, 2017

The United States has invested more than $300 million in Iraq since 2003 toward the clearance and safe disposal of landmines, unexploded ordnance (UXO), improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and excess conventional weapons and munitions as well as the delivery of mine risk education and victim assistance. This assistance, directed through international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and contractors, has made significant progress toward protecting communities from potential risks, including heightened risks posed by activities related to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), restoring access to land and infrastructure, and developing Iraqi capacity to manage weapons abatement programs independently over the long term.

Iraq is contaminated by an estimated 10 to 15 million persistent landmines, UXO and explosive remnants of war (ERW) from conflicts dating back to the 1940s. Numerous large barrier minefields and UXO remain along the Iran/Iraq border as a result of the 1980s conflict between the two nations. The wars in 1990-1991 and the conflict that began in 2003 scattered significant numbers of UXO throughout the country, with the majority of contamination concentrated in the south.

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For the entire article, see
http://www.military-technologies.net/2017/08/17/u-s-conventional-weapons-destruction-program-iraq/

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Lenny Siegel
Executive Director
Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
P.O. Box 998, Mountain View, CA 94042
Voice/Fax: 650/961-8918 
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org

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