Official: Landmine threat slows reconstruction in Azerbaijan’s liberated lands

Reconstruction efforts in Azerbaijan’s liberated territories continue to face major delays due to the widespread presence of landmines, a senior Azerbaijani official said during the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku.

Speaking at an event titled “Revival and Urbicide: Sustainable Urban Development and Sustainable Communities,” Vahid Hajiyev, the Special Representative of the President of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts, said large areas of the region remain contaminated with mines after years of conflict, Caliber.Az reports via local media. 

“The presence of landmines directly affects the pace of construction and infrastructure projects,” Hajiyev said. “Because of this, some construction work is proceeding more slowly.”

He described demining as one of the most critical components of the broader restoration and redevelopment process in the territories regained by Azerbaijan following the 2020 conflict with Armenia.

According to Hajiyev, both state institutions and private companies are involved in ongoing mine-clearance operations aimed at making the areas safe for rebuilding and the return of residents.

Azerbaijan has repeatedly raised concerns about the humanitarian and economic impact of landmines in the liberated territories, where large-scale reconstruction projects are underway, including the development of roads, housing, schools, and public infrastructure.

By Sabina Mammadli