Demining efforts in Karabakh: ANAMA reports 168,000 hectares cleared

As of now, approximately 168,000 hectares of land in the liberated territories of Karabakh have been cleared of mines, according to Ramil Azizov, head of the Education and Victim Support Department of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA).

During a roundtable discussion titled "Mine Victims in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Upcoming Tasks," Azizov noted that 161,000 mines have been neutralized in these demined areas, including 25,000 anti-personnel mines, Caliber.Az reports.

He added that more than 3,400 individuals have fallen victim to mines since 1991. However, educational efforts have contributed to a significant reduction in mine incidents, with a 60% decrease in occurrences since 2021, following the end of the Patriotic War.

Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation, credible reports indicate that Armenia has deliberately planted landmines in these areas as part of its military tactics. 

These mines are believed to target civilians and obstruct the return of displaced people, creating a serious security hazard.

In response, a large-scale demining operation has been initiated, with cooperation from several agencies, including ANAMA, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service.

These organizations are working together to ensure the safety of the liberated regions, allowing civilians to return and rebuild their lives safely.

By 2026, around 140,000 residents are expected to return to the territories liberated from occupation, said Vugar Bayramov, a member of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis (Parliament). Speaking at the same roundtable, Bayramov highlighted the importance of ongoing demining operations as part of the "Great Return" program, which is set to intensify in 2025. He emphasized that Azerbaijan faces a serious challenge, with an estimated 1.5 million mines scattered across the country. 

"In Fuzuli district alone, which I represent in the Parliament, the number of mines reaches 80,000, posing a severe threat to civilian safety," he added.

The Azerbaijani government is making significant investments to transform Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur into thriving economic centres. The “2022-2026 Social and Economic Development Strategy of Azerbaijan” and the “Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development” programs provide a comprehensive framework for revitalizing these regions. Since 2021, over $10.37 billion has been allocated from the state budget for ongoing reconstruction efforts.

A critical element of the reconstruction initiative is the implementation of the “I State Program on the Great Return to the Territories Liberated from Occupation of the Republic of Azerbaijan.” This program highlights the government’s commitment to ensuring sustainable resettlement and development in these areas. As the first step, demining activities were initiated, resulting in the clearance of 1,536,652,787 square meters of land from mines and unexploded ordnance between 2020 and 2024.

The “Great Return” program, designed to facilitate the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) back to their homes, is a cornerstone of rehabilitation efforts. As of August 2024, approximately 8,000 individuals have returned to their native lands, with plans to accommodate up to 34,500 families (or 140,000 individuals) by the end of the first stage in late 2026.

By Tamilla Hasanova