Azerbaijan clears over 440 landmines, unexploded ordnance in Karabakh Weekly data by ANAMA

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) has reported the discovery and neutralisation of 441 explosive devices during demining operations conducted between June 30 and July 6 across the country’s liberated territories.

According to the agency’s weekly update, the munitions included 43 anti-personnel mines, 16 anti-tank mines, and 382 unexploded ordnance (UXOs), posing serious risks to civilians and reconstruction efforts, Caliber.Az reports.

The hazardous items were located across a wide swathe of territory encompassing the districts of Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavand, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan.

ANAMA reported that a total of 2,331.8 hectares were cleared during the week, as efforts intensify to ensure the safe return of displaced persons and enable infrastructure development.

Since the end of the 2020 Second Karabakh War, 399 people were killed or injured by mines, adding to a total of over 3,400 mine victims since the early 1990s, including hundreds of children and women. 

Armenia’s refusal to share accurate minefield maps and the planting of mines in civilian areas have worsened the humanitarian toll.

Demining remains a critical priority for Azerbaijan, with the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) leading clearance efforts. So far, around 140,000 hectares have been cleared, but vast contaminated areas still pose serious risks, delaying the safe return of 800,000 displaced people. Despite significant national investment and innovative approaches like all-women demining teams, international support remains essential to fully address the challenge.

By Khagan Isayev