Azerbaijan destroys more than 48,000 landmines and items of unexploded ordnance since the end of the 44-day Karabakh War

Azerbaijan has destroyed more than 48,000 mines and other items of unexploded ordnance laid in the regions that returned to its control after last year's 44-day Karabakh War.

The Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) and the engineering unit of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, with support from the Emergency Situations Ministry, Border Services Command and Special Mine Clearance teams of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK),  remain engaged with this work.

From 10 November 2020 until 15 October 2021 a total of 18,302 hectares (45,225 acres) of land were cleared by demining experts. As many as 22,230 items of unexploded ordnance, 17,426 anti-personnel mines and 8,755 anti-tank mines had been detected and destroyed.

ANAMA Chairperson Vugar Suleymanov told Turkey's Anadolu Agency that highways, railways and areas of facilities or settlements are a priority in the mine clearance efforts. “We exchange experience with Turkish organizations and will expand cooperation with Turkey in the field of demining,” said Suleymanov.

 

source: commonspace.eu with Anadolu Agency (Ankara)
Photo: An Azerbaijani deminer searching for landmines on 19 October 2021; picture courtesy of Anadolu Agency