Baku: Azerbaijan has reported a total of 427 mine victims since the cessation of active hostilities in the Patriotic War, underscoring the ongoing threat posed by landmines in the region.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Head of Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, highlighted the issue on his X account. Hajiyev emphasized that landmines are a significant remnant of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, continuing to claim lives even after the conflict has ended.

Since November 10, 2020, the recorded mine victims include 73 fatalities and 354 injuries, with 231 civilians among the affected. Hajiyev pointed out that since 1991, the cumulative number of mine victims in Azerbaijan has surpassed 3,500, including 362 children and youth, and 38 women. The extensive mine contamination poses a substantial barrier to the safe return of displaced families, reconstruction of liberated areas, and economic activities such as agriculture.

Hajiyev stressed the importance of mine action, stating that clearing mines is crucial not only for security reasons but also as a humanitarian necessity and a prerequisite for sustainable reconstruction and development. Each mine cleared not only saves lives but also contributes to the region's recovery efforts.