U.S. to secure USD1.115 bn for Iraq reconstruction, explosives removal
US Ambassador to Iraq Douglas Silliman
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) The United States is working on securing more than USD1.115 billion for Iraq for reconstruction and explosives removal efforts, its ambassador in Baghdad was quoted saying on Tuesday.
NRTTV quoted ambassador Douglas Silliman saying in a press conference that the United States would secure USD115 million for reconstruction, as well as nearly USD1.7 billion for the removal of explosives left over by the war against Islamic State since 2014.
According to Silliman, work will be done for the repatriation of nearly three million refugees in Iraq.
Silliman also denied recent reports of a surge in international coalition troops in Kirkuk, explaining that recent military movements were merely for the transportation of military equipment.
Landmines and booby-traps left over by Islamic State militants across several Iraqi cities have killed and wounded many as Iraqi troops gradually took over areas occupied by the militants since the launch of a major, U.S.-backed security offensive in 2016.
In mid November, Iraq declared a military victory over IS and the end of the troops territorial influence in Iraq.
Iraq has used billions of dollars from several world countries and international agencies to rehabilitate infrastructure devastated by the three-year war.