As of now, approximately 168,000 hectares of land in the liberated territories of Karabakh have been cleared of mines, according to Ramil Azizov, head of the Education and Victim Support Department of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA).
During a roundtable discussion titled "Mine Victims in Azerbaijan: Achievements and Upcoming Tasks," Azizov noted that 161,000 mines have been neutralized in these demined areas, including 25,000 anti-personnel mines, AzVision.az reports.
He added that more than 3,400 individuals have fallen victim to mines since 1991. However, educational efforts have contributed to a significant reduction in mine incidents, with a 60% decrease in occurrences since 2021, following the end of the Patriotic War.
Following the liberation of Azerbaijani territories from Armenian occupation, credible reports indicate that Armenia has deliberately planted landmines in these areas as part of its military tactics.
These mines are believed to target civilians and obstruct the return of displaced people, creating a serious security hazard.
In response, a large-scale demining operation has been initiated, with cooperation from several agencies, including ANAMA, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service.
These organizations are working together to ensure the safety of the liberated regions, allowing civilians to return and rebuild their lives safely.
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