U.S. To Help Demining Organizations To Clear Deadly Landmines Across Azerbaijani-Armenian Conflict Zone: State Department

Landmines and unexploded ordnance across the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict zone "continue to kill and maim civilians, block economic development, and impede the safe return of displaced communities," a State Department spokesperson said on Thursday in response to TURAN's inquiry.

"To promote regional peace and cooperation, the United States is pleased to announce $2,000,000 for humanitarian demining operations in areas affected by the fall 2020 intensive fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces in the South Caucasus,"  the spokesperson noted.

Building on the $500,000 announced in November 2021, new U.S. funding "will continue to strengthen the technical capacity of demining organizations to clear deadly landmines and unexploded ordnance," according to the sourse.

The spokesperson went on to add, "These efforts play a critical role bolstering human security and enabling displaced communities to return to their homes and rebuild their lives safely."

Azerbaijan this week announced that 262 people injured as a result of mine incidents since the end of the 2020 war. 44 of them were killed.

The U.S. is the world’s largest single financial supporter of conventional weapons destruction, investing over $4.7 billion in more than 100 countries since 1993 to promote international peace and security by addressing the threats that landmines and unexploded ordnance pose to civilians.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.