ANAMA: over 1 million hectares of mined areas yet to be cleared in Karabakh

Approximately 1.167 million hectares of hazardous areas have been identified in the Azerbaijani liberated territories.

The statement was made by Bahruz Mammadov, the First Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), citing the figure as preliminary, Caliber.Az reports.

Mammadov highlighted that, over the past four years, 166,000 hectares—or 14.2% of the total affected areas—have been cleared of mines.

"This figure shows that there is still much work ahead. It is impossible to claim that any area in the liberated territories was not mined. There are no such areas," he stated.

He also added that, given the scale of the issue, there is a need to develop a law on demining.

"In drafting the bill, the experience of countries that have faced mine problems and the recommendations of international organizations were taken into account," Mammadov noted.

The demining operations are a collaborative effort involving ANAMA, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service working diligently to ensure the security of the liberated areas, allowing civilians to return and resume normal life.

ANAMA's ongoing efforts reflect Azerbaijan's commitment to post-conflict reconstruction and humanitarian relief in the regions affected by the conflict.

The successful demining operations underscore the dedication and effectiveness of ANAMA and its partners in mitigating the hazards posed by explosive remnants of war and advancing the process of recovery and development in the liberated territories.

Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation, reports indicate that Armenia deliberately planted land mines in these areas as a part of its military strategy. The land mines, intended to inflict harm on civilians and obstruct the return of displaced people, pose a significant threat to the security of the region.

By Khagan Isayev