UN: Half a century needed to clear mines in Iraq, Syria

The United Nations said that up to half a century is needed to clear the mines, improvised explosive devices and other unexploded ordnance from Iraq and Syria, calling for more funding from member states to make the two war-torn countries habitable again.

"We are looking at decades of work for these countries to look like post-World War II Europe where we still find some unexploded ordnance here and there," said Agnes Marcaillou, director of the United Nations Mine Action Service, addressing a news conference to mark International Mine Awareness Day, Al Waght reported.

She said her office, which also deals with (improvised explosive devices) IEDs and unexploded ordnance, is looking at a "ballpark figure" of between $170 million to $180 million a year to clean up the areas retaken from the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq.

Marcaillou said that figure includes $50 million annually needed just to rid weaponry from Mosul.

Iraqi army backed by popular forces has been engaged in a months-long operation to liberate Mosul, the country's second-largest city, from Daesh terrorist group.

In January, Iraqi authorities declared Eastern Mosul "fully liberated." Fighting is now underway to recapture the city's Western side.

EA