Iran-Iraq joint demining commission formed

Tehran, April 5, IRNA

Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar announced the establishment
of a joint Iran-Iraq demining commission.

According to a report by the ministry?s Public Relations Department,
Najjar issued a message on the occasion of International Day for Mine
Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

The message said that during the eight-year war imposed by Saddam?s
Iraq, some 20 million mines were planted in Iran?s western and
northwestern border provinces which made Iran one of the most
mine-infested countries in the world.

Commenting on demining operations following the prolonged action,
Najjar noted that Iran has managed to demine a large section of areas
with reliance on its national resolve and in cooperation with the Army
and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and 50 private companies.

In line with humane cooperation, Iran stepped forward to set up the
commission, in addition to concluding agreements on demining Iraq?s
mine-infested fields.

Referring to a decrease in mine-related death toll, the minister said
that Iran has also taken measures in promoting public awareness about
the dangers of mines.

End