UK Ambassador to Baghdad announces £2 mln aid for clearing IEDs in Iraq

(IraqiNews.com) The Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Baghdad Frank Baker announced on Monday, that the UK Government  will allocate £2 million to help clear IEDs in areas liberated from ISIS in Iraq, while pointed out that 90 percent of the population in Tikrit has now been able to return to their homes in the city.

Baker said in a brief statement obtained by IraqiNews.com, “I am pleased to announce $2.86 million to support the Government of Iraq and UN to clear Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) rapidly in areas liberated from Daesh (ISIS) occupation.”

Her Majesty’s Ambassador added, “Daesh (ISIS) purposefully hides IEDs in areas liberated from their control to cause maximum harm to civilians trying to return home,” indicating that, “Identifying whether IEDs are present and removing them are crucial steps towards making liberated areas safe for families to return home.”

“It also allows Iraqi authorities to begin repairing public infrastructure, restarting the local economy and rebuilding livelihoods. In Tikrit 90% of the population has now been able to return to the city and essential services have been switched back on.”

“This funding will further build on the UK’s gift of 1,000 IED detectors and specialist counter-IED training to Iraqi Security Forces and Peshmerga fighters in Iraq,” said Baker.