The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) has shared the results of recent mine clearance operations with the public, continuing efforts to secure and rehabilitate formerly occupied territories. Between March 31 and April 6, mine clearance teams successfully cleared 2,000 hectares in various regions, removing 107 anti-personnel mines, 13 anti-tank mines, and 870 unexploded ordnance (UXO).
These critical life-saving operations, conducted in coordination with international partners, cover regions heavily affected by decades of conflict with Armenia, including Tartar, Aghdara, Kalbajar, Aghdam, Khojaly, Khankendi, Khojavend, Lachin, Shusha, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, and Zangilan.[1] Despite these updates, the threat existing by landmines remains serious. The serious injury of Sabuhi Mammadov on April 6 after stepping on an anti-personnel mine in a restricted area of Aghdam’s Galaychilar village emphasizes the ongoing human casualties.[2]
According to data compiled by Anadolu Agency for the April 4 International Mine Awareness Day, the extent of contamination and its consequences are alarming. Since the end of the Second Karabakh War on November 10, 2020, Azerbaijan has managed to clear 190,000 hectares. Over 133,000 UXO, 32,000 anti-personnel mines, and 21,000 anti-tank mines have been discovered and neutralized in these areas. The range of the contamination has had catastrophic humanitarian consequences. As of April 2025, landmine explosions have killed 70 Azerbaijani citizens and injured 317. Including the latest casualties, a total of 392 people have been killed or injured due to mine-related incidents since the end of the war, which shows us the ongoing long-term impact of the conflict.[3]
The presence of landmines not only causes humanitarian tragedy but also violates international law. The arbitrary use of mines has lead vast areas to be dangerous and unusable. The widespread use of landmines by Armenian forces during the occupation of Azerbaijani territories constitutes a serious breach of international humanitarian law, particularly the principles of the 1949 Geneva Conventions and customary norms governing armed conflict. The deliberate mining of civilian areas and infrastructure has hindered safe resettlement and reconstruction efforts, continuing to put lives at risk.
President Ilham Aliyev has stated that approximately 12% of the country’s territory is contaminated with an estimated 1.5 million landmines and an unknown number of UXO, emphasizing the scale of the problem. According to estimates, completing the clearance operations may take up to 30 years and cost around $25 billion. This represents not only a logistical and technical challenge but also a long-term financial and developmental burden for the Azerbaijan.[4]
Mine clearance operations are carried out by ANAMA in close coordination with the engineering units of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces. Additional support from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the State Border Service reflects an integrated approach with multiple agencies. Technological support also plays a critical role in these operations. The deployment of Mechanical Mine Clearing Equipment (MEMATT), developed and produced by Turkey’s Military Factory and Shipyard Management Inc. (ASFAT), is notable. Twenty MEMATT units have been delivered to Azerbaijan and are actively used in the field. These vehicles enhance the safety and efficiency of clearance personnel and allow for broader geographical coverage in shorter periods.[5]
International partnerships remain vital in terms of both technical and financial capacity. Organizations specialized in humanitarian mine action, such as the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and various NGOs, have either contributed resources to or expressed support for Azerbaijan’s long-term mine clearance goals.[6]
The successful removal of landmines is a prerequisite for sustainable post-conflict reconstruction. The presence of explosive remnants of war not only threatens human lives but also hinders infrastructure restoration, agricultural activity, and the safe return of displaced persons. Reintegration of these regions into Azerbaijan’s economic and social fabric largely depends on the timely and comprehensive implementation of mine clearance programs.
Moreover, the psychological trauma endured by local residents especially children and mine survivors is a less quantifiable yet equally critical challenge in the post-conflict recovery process. The Azerbaijani government and its partners have taken significant steps to address the legacy of war through systematic mine clearance efforts, and the task has already reached enormous proportions. The most recent operation, in which thousands of explosive devices were cleared within a single week, demonstrates both determination and capacity in this area. Continued international involvement through funding, expertise, and political support will be essential to achieving a mine-free Karabakh and ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region.
[1] “The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency clears over 2000 hectares of landmines”, CommonSpace.EU,https://www.commonspace.eu/index.php/news/azerbaijan-mine-action-agency-clears-over-2000-hectares-landmines, (Date Accessed: 18.04.2025).
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Karabağ’da Azerbaycan’ın önündeki engel: Mayın sorunu”, Anadolu Ajansı, https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/karabagda-azerbaycanin-onundeki-engel-mayin-sorunu/3528011, (Date Accessed: 18.04.2025).
[4] “Clearing Armenian-planted mines will take 30 years, Aliyev says”, Daily Sabah, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/clearing-armenian-planted-mines-will-take-30-years-aliyev-says/news, (Date Accessed: 18.04.2025).
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
