Diplomatic World Sweden shines light on Azerbaijan's landmine challenge That hinders reconstruction

Diplomatic World Sweden, a website designed for politicians and employees of foreign embassies in Sweden, has published an article on Azerbaijan's fight against landmines.

According to Azertag, the article says that as a result of the long military occupation of its lands (by Armenia), Azerbaijan has faced landmine contamination, becoming one of the most mined countries in the world.

The reverberations of the conflict are evident in the 1.5 million mines and an unknown number of explosive remnants of war scattered across approximately 12 per cent of the country's territory, thereby putting civilians at risk and hindering socio-economic development.

The publication further notes that since the end of the Second Karabakh War, mine explosions have killed 345 people, including women and children, and 3,424 people over the past three decades.

The author emphasizes that the restoration of security in the liberated territories is hampered by Armenia's refusal to provide accurate maps of the landmines it has laid and its limited international assistance, amounting to only 5 per cent of resources, which contrasts sharply with the seriousness of the problem. The article also notes that Azerbaijan, while seeking assistance from the international community, calls on other countries to protest Armenia's placement of landmines and to call on it to cooperate by providing accurate maps of the mines.

"Direct financial donations are needed to expand the operational reach of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and other actors, as well as humanitarian demining initiatives. It is important to strengthen mine detection programs, strengthen female demining teams, improve mechanical demining skills, implement containment and fencing measures, and integrate explosive ordnance risk education. In addition to reducing the risk of further casualties, these programs help with the rehabilitation and reconstruction necessary for the safe return of IDPs and the promotion of lasting peace," the author concludes.