Aghdam: In a significant development, 37,000 hectares of land in Azerbaijan’s Aghdam district have been successfully cleared of mines, with 31,000 mines and unexploded ordnance neutralized. The operation is part of the broader Great Return program which is focused on humanitarian demining activities in the Karabakh and East Zangazur regions.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, a media tour was conducted in the liberated Aghdam district to provide the public with updates on the demining efforts. This initiative was organized by the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA). During the tour, Alekbar Alekbarov, the Head of a Department of the Special Risky Rescue Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, revealed the extent of the demining progress, highlighting that 37,154 hectares have been cleared and 31,105 explosive devices have been neutralized.

The demining operations have been ongoing since the conclusion of the Patriotic War. The Special Forces Unit of the Special Risky Rescue Service has been actively involved in clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in the liberated territories. Personnel involved in these operations have received advanced training to enhance their efficiency. The demining process is being carried out under the guidance of President Ilham Aliyev, utilizing modern equipment and mechanical tools to ensure thoroughness and safety.

Azerbaijan continues to battle the threat of landmines, as it is one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world. Initial assessments have indicated that during the occupation, Armenia planted approximately 1.5 million mines in Azerbaijani territories. From November 10, 2020, to May 19, 2025, an estimated 200,321 hectares have been cleared of mines, with 196,056 mines and unexploded ordnance being detected and neutralized.

Since 1991, landmines have claimed over 3,400 victims in Azerbaijan, including 362 minors and 38 women. The demining efforts continue to be a crucial component of ensuring safety and facilitating the return of displaced persons to their homes in liberated areas.