Pirijan is a small village of over 200 individuals located among the hills 40 kilometres north of Kirkuk governorate.
In 1992, villagers were forced to leave Pirijan and take up residence in neighbouring towns while the Iraqi Army established a military base in the region. The purpose of the base was to defend the borders of Kirkuk from potential attack by Kurdish forces, and many landmines were laid as a result.
The Iraqi military left the area in 2003 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and the residents of Pirijan were finally allowed to return home.
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Items found during clearance operations in Pirijan. MAG destroyed 326 hazardous items during June and July, including mines, fuses, mortars, shells, rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and 24mm bullets. |
However, the area remained contaminated by small arms and light weapons (SALW) and other conventional weapons left behind by the military, and three villagers were killed in different accidents in the area.
A MAG Community Liaison team identified this area as having a high level of contamination and it was prioritised for clearance as a result. Mine Action Teams have since completed successful clearance tasks in the village. They have been supported by SALW teams who have assisted in the removal and destruction of dangerous items found in the area.
MAG teams cleared and destroyed 326 hazardous items during June and July, including landmines, fuses, mortars, shells, 'RPG-7' rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and 24mm bullets.
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MAG's work in Iraq is currently funded by: Irish Aid; MAG America; Office of Weapons Removal and
Abatement, Bureau of Polical-Miltary Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Royal Netherlands Government; Sida (Swedish International
Development Cooperation Agency).
6 August 08
