Jordanian media responds to Azerbaijan’s urgent appeal for global demining assistance

The article by Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov has been widely covered in the Jordanian media on the occasion of April 4 – the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

The piece was published in a special edition of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' journal, World of Diplomacy, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

The article sheds light on Azerbaijan's urgent call for increased international support in addressing the ongoing landmine crisis in the country. These landmines, left by Armenia during its decades-long occupation of Azerbaijani territories, continue to pose significant threats to civilian lives and hinder post-conflict reconstruction efforts. Azerbaijan's Foreign Minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, provides a compelling account of the severe impact of landmines, emphasizing both the human toll and the broader implications for rebuilding the liberated regions.

Azerbaijan is depicted as one of the most heavily landmine-contaminated countries, with approximately 1.5 million landmines and countless explosive devices planted by Armenia during the nearly 30 years of occupation. The scale of this issue is underscored by the staggering number of casualties – over 3,400 people have lost their lives or been injured due to landmines since the beginning of the military occupation. This includes 382 Azerbaijanis killed or injured post-conflict, demonstrating the continued danger civilians face even after the fighting has ended.

Azerbaijan accuses Armenia of intentionally using landmines as a strategic tool to obstruct the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and hinder the development of reclaimed territories. This highlights the political and humanitarian dimensions of the landmine issue, as mines are seen as not just a military weapon but a means to prevent the country’s recovery and reintegration efforts.

The article emphasizes the difficulties Azerbaijan faces in clearing its landmines. Despite significant efforts, including the clearance of 166,000 hectares and the removal of 54,500 landmines and 105,000 explosive remnants of war (ERW), only 14.2 per cent of the contaminated area has been cleared. Azerbaijan's Mine Action Agency and other state bodies are working tirelessly, but the scale of the task is far greater than national resources can manage. Bayramov calls for increased international assistance to mitigate the financial burden, noting that over 90 per cent of demining activities are funded domestically, which is insufficient given the magnitude of the problem.

While Azerbaijan has received some international aid, Bayramov emphasizes that the country is largely shouldering the responsibility for demining efforts. He appeals to the global community to increase support in saving lives and fostering reconstruction. Additionally, Azerbaijan has been actively contributing to global demining initiatives, offering assistance to countries like Türkiye, Georgia, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. Azerbaijan has also advocated for the recognition of the global threat posed by landmines, successfully pushing for a UNESCO resolution highlighting the risk they pose to cultural heritage and proposing the inclusion of humanitarian demining as a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Bayramov concludes with a powerful call for international solidarity in demining efforts. He stresses that the continued risk of landmines affects everyone – men, women, and children – and that a global, cooperative approach is essential to eliminate this threat and pave the way for a future where no one lives in fear of these "silent killers."

By Vafa Guliyeva