Azerbaijan, UAE sign memorandum on mine clearance cooperation PHOTO

The United Arab Emirates, through its embassy in Azerbaijan, will provide financial support to humanitarian demining efforts in the country. 

The Azerbaijani Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) told Caliber.Az that a memorandum of understanding was signed between ANAMA Board Chairman Vugar Suleymanov and UAE Ambassador Mohammed Al Blushi.

This memorandum outlines a framework for supporting ANAMA's initiatives, enhancing its technical capacity, and acquiring essential equipment to clear areas near the former line of contact.

During a meeting held in conjunction with the signing ceremony, Vugar Suleymanov briefed Mohammed Al Blushi on the extensive mine contamination in Azerbaijan's formerly occupied territories. He underscored the significance of international collaboration and resources in addressing the mine problem.

After securing victory in the Second Karabakh War in November 2020, Azerbaijan began extensive demining operations in territories previously occupied by Armenia for nearly 30 years.

Since 2020, Azerbaijan has cleared approximately 168,000 hectares of land and neutralized over 161,000 explosive devices, including 25,000 anti-personnel mines. Public education campaigns have also contributed to a 60% decrease in mine-related incidents since 2021.

The legacy of Armenia's mining activities during its occupation has left Azerbaijan among the most mine-contaminated countries globally. Over 1.5 million landmines were planted, leading to severe humanitarian consequences. This practice, often termed "mine terrorism," has resulted in over 3,400 Azerbaijani casualties. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War, 382 Azerbaijanis have fallen victim to landmines, with 70 fatalities and 312 injuries. Among the total casualties over the decades, 359 children and 38 women lost their lives.

Demining efforts have been hindered by Armenia’s refusal to provide accurate maps of the mined areas. Azerbaijan received maps for the Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan districts, reportedly containing coordinates for 189,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. In exchange, Azerbaijan released several Armenian saboteurs detained after the war.

However, the reliability of these maps remains a significant issue. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev revealed that their accuracy was less than 25%, while ANAMA reported they were only 2% effective in practical demining operations.

According to Azerbaijani government data and international experts, addressing the demining challenge will require nearly 30 years and an estimated $25 billion.

By Tamilla Hasanova