Baku: A total of 287,385 hectares have been cleared during demining operations in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, with 255,200 mines and unexploded ordnance (189,097 items of unexploded ordnance, 42,235 anti-personnel mines, and 23,868 anti-tank mines) detected and neutralized, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) Vugar Suleymanov said at a briefing marking the agency's 28th anniversary, APA reports.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the ANAMA chairman highlighted that the agency is currently conducting large-scale operations using modern technologies, innovative methodologies, mechanical demining equipment, mine detection dogs, and highly qualified specialists. He emphasized that Azerbaijan's humanitarian demining experience is being studied internationally as a model for others. Despite the use of the latest technologies and mechanical equipment, human labor remains the main driving force behind humanitarian demining efforts. The success of these operations is largely due to the professionalism, precision, and sense of responsibility of the deminers.
The report noted that following the Patriotic War, one of the significant humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan has been the extensive contamination of the liberated territories with mines and other explosive ordnance. Suleymanov pointed out that Azerbaijan is currently one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries in the world.
The complex terrain and dense vegetation of the liberated territories add to the challenges of demining operations. The mine threat continues to pose a serious danger to people's lives and health, the environment, reconstruction efforts, and the implementation of the Great Return Program. It is not just a security issue but also a major obstacle to humanitarian, social, economic, and environmental development.
Every cleared plot of land paves the way for establishing new settlements, constructing roads, schools, hospitals, energy and water infrastructure, developing agriculture, and enabling the safe return of people to their native lands. Humanitarian demining is a key priority of the Great Return Program under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev. Thanks to the agency's ongoing efforts, new areas are cleared of mine threats daily, making them safe for residential, infrastructure, and agricultural use. As a result, life is returning to these lands, with villages and cities being rebuilt and extensive projects being implemented.