Azerbaijan’s ANAMA marks 28 years of mine-clearance operations

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) marked the 28th anniversary of its establishment on July 18, as it continues large-scale demining operations in territories liberated from occupation.

ANAMA was established in 1998 by decree of National Leader Heydar Aliyev. In 2021, President Ilham Aliyev established the agency as a public-law legal entity on the basis of the National Agency for Mine Clearance, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

Today, ANAMA coordinates and oversees demining operations across Azerbaijan and serves as the government’s primary executive body in the field. Its main mission is to clear land contaminated by mines and unexploded ordnance and help create safe conditions for residents, economic activity and humanitarian development.

Following the end of the occupation of Karabakh in 2020, ANAMA expanded its operations and strengthened its technical and human resources. The agency has also introduced new demining methods, including the participation of women in mine-clearance operations.

According to the agency, 287,385 hectares of land in the liberated territories have been cleared to date. A total of 255,200 explosive devices have been detected and neutralised, including 189,097 other explosive ordnance, 42,235 anti-personnel mines and 23,868 anti-tank mines.

ANAMA continues to use modern technologies, mechanical demining equipment, mine-detection dogs and trained specialists in its operations.

The agency is also carrying out conservation measures in areas heavily contaminated with mines and other explosive ordnance as part of efforts to support safe living conditions and the implementation of Azerbaijan’s “Great Return” programme.

ANAMA has called on citizens to remain vigilant and stressed the importance of joint efforts to establish a safe and sustainable environment in the liberated territories.

By Sabina Mammadli