Azerbaijani sappers neutralize over 10,000 explosives in March Fresh Figures

The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has released its monthly report on demining operations conducted in the territories liberated from Armenian occupation.

A total of 331 anti-personnel mines, 105 anti-tank mines, and 9,755 unexploded ordnance (UXO) were detected and neutralized across multiple regions, including Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavand, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan during March, ANAMA told Caliber.Az.

In its efforts to enhance security and support reconstruction, ANAMA reported that 4,556 hectares of land have been cleared of mines and UXO, facilitating the safe return of displaced persons and the continuation of infrastructure projects.

Following Azerbaijan’s victory in the 2020 Second Karabakh War, the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has played a crucial role in clearing explosive remnants of war from the liberated territories. The scale of contamination with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) has been one of the most significant challenges in post-war reconstruction and resettlement efforts.

Since November 2020, ANAMA, in collaboration with the Azerbaijani armed forces, international partners, and private contractors, has conducted large-scale mine clearance operations across Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur. These efforts have focused on securing key areas, including residential settlements, agricultural lands, roads, and vital infrastructure sites.

As of early 2024, ANAMA has reportedly cleared tens of thousands of mines and UXO, with thousands of hectares of land made safe for civilian use. The agency has also expanded its technical capacity by employing advanced demining equipment, drone-based surveying, and K9 units trained for mine detection. International cooperation has played a significant role, with Türkiye, the UK, the EU, and the UN providing training and technical assistance.

Despite these efforts, landmine contamination remains a serious humanitarian issue, posing a continuous threat to civilians and hampering Azerbaijan’s reconstruction drive. Official sources estimate that full clearance may take years, given the density of minefields left behind. Azerbaijan has repeatedly called on Armenia to provide accurate minefield maps, but Baku maintains that the information provided so far has been largely incomplete or unreliable.

By Khagan Isayev