Azerbaijan's ANAMA, TikTok discuss partnership to raise awareness on landmine risks in Karabakh

Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), Vugar Suleymanov, met with Director of the Department of Public Policy and Corporate Relations of TikTok for the Eastern European Region Sergey Sokolov and company’s Advisor for Governmental Structures Emin Akhundov.

According to a statement from ANAMA, during the meeting, TikTok representatives were briefed on the landmine and unexploded ordnance problem in liberated territories of Karabakh, Caliber.Az reports.

They were also informed about the country’s humanitarian demining efforts aimed at addressing this issue.

Both sides emphasised the need for expanding awareness-raising activities regarding landmine risks and establishing a partnership between ANAMA and TikTok. The goal is to inform the broader public on this pressing issue and to create relevant content to promote awareness and safety.

Notably, following the recapture of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian control, credible reports have emerged suggesting that Armenia may have intentionally planted landmines in these areas as part of its military strategy. These mines are reportedly designed to inflict harm on civilians and obstruct the safe return of displaced populations, thus posing a significant security risk to the region.

In response to this threat, Azerbaijan has initiated a large-scale demining operation, bringing together a range of government agencies, including the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service.

These bodies are working collaboratively to clear the liberated areas of landmines, with the aim of ensuring the safety of returning citizens and allowing them to rebuild their lives in the region.

Thus, as of now, around 168,000 hectares in the liberated territories of Karabakh have been cleared of mines, with 161,000 mines neutralised, including 25,000 anti-personnel devices, reported Ramil Azizov, head of the Education and Victim Support Department at the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA).

Speaking at a roundtable titled "Mine Victims in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Upcoming Tasks," Azizov also noted that over 3,400 people have fallen victim to mines since 1991.

However, thanks to educational initiatives, mine-related incidents have decreased by 60% since 2021, following the end of the Patriotic War.

By Aghakazim Guliyev