Azerbaijan has made significant progress in mine clearance efforts in 2023

Azerbaijan has cleared a significant area of 53,081.8 hectares of mines and unexploded ordnance in the regions of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur during the outgoing year 2023. Thorough mine clearance efforts have resulted in the detection and disposal of 3,495 anti-personnel mines, 5,034 anti-tank mines and 23,049 unexploded ordnance.

Over the past three years, a total of 109,552 mines and other unexploded ordnance have been found in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan. Specialized mine clearance teams have successfully cleared 30,753 anti-personnel mines, 18,531 anti-tank mines and 60,268 unexploded ordnance over a vast area of 111,207 hectares.

Azerbaijan, which survived the years of occupation, is among the countries most polluted by mines in the world. Preliminary estimates show that about 9,000 square kilometers of the liberated Azerbaijani territories were mined, indicating the installation of about 1.5 million explosive devices during the Armenian occupation.

From November 10, 2020 to December 26, 2023, 322 people were blown up by a mine in the territories of Azerbaijan liberated from the Armenian occupation. Of these, 66 people died.   

The mine clearance efforts reflect Azerbaijan's commitment to ensuring the protection of its citizens and creating conditions for the return of the displaced population to their homes. Comprehensive mine clearance initiatives have played a key role in reducing the risks associated with remaining explosives, strengthening stability and paving the way for the sustainable development of liberated regions.--0--