Azerbaijani MOD: Over 300 people become landmine victims after second Karabakh war

Azerbaijani Defence Ministry's spokesman Colonel Anar Eyvazov has said that more than 300 people became landmine victims in the liberated Azerbaijani territories after the second Karabakh war in 2020.

“During the inspection in the liberated territories, the Azerbaijani army, together with Russian peacekeepers, revealed numerous weapons, ammunition and military equipment,” he said at a joint briefing for the members of the diplomatic corps accredited in the country, according to Report.

He added that after the end of the war, measures were being taken to improve the liberated territories in Karabakh, clear the territories from mines and unexploded ordnance and build roads and communications.

After achieving victory over Armenia in the Patriotic War in early November 2020, Azerbaijan launched the process of demining the territories that Armenia had been holding under occupation for almost three decades.

Despite extensive efforts, demining operations faced many challenges due to Armenia’s refusal to hand over maps displaying the locations of the landmines.

Azerbaijan obtained minefield maps of the once-occupied Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Zangilan districts from Armenia, which reportedly identify the coordinates of 189,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines. Armenia also provided the Azerbaijani side with mine maps of other liberated territories of Azerbaijan. In exchange for maps, Azerbaijan released dozens of Armenian saboteurs detained in Azerbaijani territory after the war. However, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said the accuracy of these maps did not exceed 25 per cent.

AMAMA reported that the maps provided by Armenia were just 2 per cent effective in mine action. According to the Azerbaijani government data, international experts estimate that Azerbaijan needs nearly 30 years and $25 billion to solve issues related to demining.