Azerbaijan among top five countries for landmine contamination

Director of the Azerbaijan Campaign to Ban Landmines Hafiz Safikhanov has said that it was initially estimated that around 100,000 mines were laid in the occupied territories, but after the second Karabakh war, it was discovered that this number exceeds 1.5 million.

He noted that the most extensive surveys were conducted in four villages returned to Azerbaijan during the demarcation process, Caliber.Az reports.

"These areas were also extensively mined. Azerbaijan is among the top five countries for landmine contamination. Some 41,000 mines were discovered in 21 villages liberated during the Horadiz operation," he added.

The demining operations are a collaborative effort involving the Mine Action Agency of the Azerbaijan Republic (ANAMA), the Defence Ministry, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Guard 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.