A high-level delegation from the Swiss Mine Agency, headed by Jabar Mustafa, President of the General Agency for Mine Affairs, held talks with Natalie Wazir, the Head of the US State Department’s Weapons Reduction and Disposal Office (WRA), to discuss pressing issues related to mine affairs in Iraq and Kurdistan.
Mustafa emphasized the critical need for support, stating, “Our meeting with the head of the WRA was positive. We discussed the problems of mine affairs in Iraq and Kurdistan and several other issues of mine affairs.”
During the meeting, it was agreed that funds would be allocated to assist the demining teams of the General Agency for Mine Affairs of the Kurdistan Regional Government through the International Fund for Mine Affairs (ITF).
Mustafa highlighted the primary challenge faced by the agency, which is the shortage of vehicles for the demining teams. He expressed concern over the inability of dozens of teams to access the mine fields daily, impacting the demining efforts in the Kurdistan region.
The financial crisis in the Kurdistan Region further exacerbated the situation as all vehicle rental contracts were terminated, hindering the demining teams’ ability to reach the contaminated areas and effectively reduce the land affected by mines.
The delegation’s engagement with US officials underscores the collaborative efforts aimed at addressing these challenges and enhancing mine clearance operations in the region.
