Azerbaijan defuses nearly 700 landmines, munitions in Karabakh Weekly data by ANAMA

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) has reported the discovery and neutralisation of 688 explosive devices during demining operations conducted between June 10 and June 16 across the country’s liberated territories.

According to the agency’s weekly update, the munitions included 131 anti-personnel mines, 29 anti-tank mines, and 528 unexploded ordnance (UXOs), posing serious risks to civilians and reconstruction efforts. 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, Caliber.Az reports.

ANAMA reported that a total of 1,358.7 hectares were cleared during the week, as efforts intensify to ensure the safe return of displaced persons and enable infrastructure development.

Azerbaijan continues to face the devastating legacy of a 30-year conflict and occupation by Armenia, which left about 12 per cent of its territory contaminated with roughly 1.5 million landmines and countless unexploded ordnance (UXOs). This contamination has made Azerbaijan one of the most mine-affected countries worldwide.

Since the 2020 Second Karabakh War, 397 people have been 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