New york: 'One of the gravest humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan in the post-conflict period is the threat posed by landmines planted during the time of Armenian occupation,' President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev said during his speech at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly, APA reports. Recalling that since November 2020, more than 400 Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel were killed or seriously injured by landmine explosions, the head of state said that this massive contamination obstructs the safe return of displaced persons and delays reconstruction projects.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, President Aliyev's remarks highlighted the ongoing danger posed by landmines in areas previously occupied. This contamination remains a significant barrier to the safe repatriation of displaced citizens, while also stalling vital infrastructure and rebuilding efforts in the region. The President emphasized the importance of international support in addressing this challenge, underscoring the need for comprehensive demining initiatives to facilitate the safe and sustainable development of affected areas.