US to spend USD5 mln to clear explosives in Ramadi

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON April 4 (KUNA) -- The US will send USD five million in new US assistance to Ramadi Iraq to help clear explosive hazards left behind by the so-called Islamic State the State Department announced in a statement Monday.

The US said the assistance is "an essential first step to supporting Iraqi authorities as they repair key infrastructure and help displaced Iraqi families return home." The US has contracted Sterling International Group a demining company to spearhead the removal process of thousands of improvised explosive devices (IED) to have been left behind in the city.

"Sterling will begin initial efforts to survey unexploded ordnance abandoned explosive ordnance and IEDs in several Ramadi neighborhoods as well as the city's main water station in Tamim" said the statement.

Since 2003 the US has spent more than USD 280 million towards the removal of explosives in Iraq. (end) ak.bs