Female deminers lead way in Azerbaijan’s post-war mine clearance efforts

Eighteen female deminers and two female paramedics are at the forefront of critical humanitarian work in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, clearing landmines and unexploded ordnance.

Since joining demining operations in 2023, these all-female teams have already cleared 501 hectares of land, uncovering around 400 landmines and pieces of unexploded ordnance. Their efforts began in the Aghdam district and have since expanded to the village of Talish in the Aghdara district, a region heavily contaminated with mines, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

This initiative is part of Azerbaijan’s broader national mine clearance program, spearheaded by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). To date, ANAMA has cleared approximately 140,000 hectares of land. Yet vast areas remain unsafe, hindering the safe return of nearly 800,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who were forced to flee during decades of conflict.

Since the end of the 2020 war, 399 people have been killed or injured by landmines, adding to a toll of over 3,400 victims since the 1990s—including many women and children.

Armenia’s failure to provide accurate minefield maps and the use of mines in civilian zones have worsened the humanitarian crisis. 

While Azerbaijan has invested heavily and introduced measures like all-female demining teams, international support is still crucial.

By Sabina Mammadli