Azerbaijani sappers defuse 156,000 landmines in Karabakh

Since November 2020, over 161,000 hectares of land have been cleared of mines in the territories of Karabakh and East Zangezur, and more than 156,000 mines and unexploded ordnance have been found and neutralised.

As many as 379 civilians have been victims of landmine explosions, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Mine Action Agency of the Azerbaijan Republic (ANAMA).

Of these, 70 people have died and 309 have sustained injuries of varying severity.

The demining operations are a collaborative effort involving ANAMA, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service working diligently to ensure the security of the liberated areas, allowing civilians to return and resume normal life.

ANAMA's ongoing efforts reflect Azerbaijan's commitment to post-conflict reconstruction and humanitarian relief in the regions affected by the conflict.

The successful demining operations underscore the dedication and effectiveness of ANAMA and its partners in mitigating the hazards posed by explosive remnants of war and advancing the process of recovery and development in the liberated territories.

Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation, reports indicate that Armenia deliberately planted land mines in these areas as a part of its military strategy. The land mines, intended to inflict harm on civilians and obstruct the return of displaced people, pose a significant threat to the security of the region.