Significant progress has been made in clearing landmines from Azerbaijan's liberated territories over the past five years, with substantial portions of Aghdam and Fuzuli now cleared. Approximately 60 percent of Aghdam district, 78 percent of Fuzuli district, and 16 percent of Khojavand district have been successfully demined during this period.
Operative Information Center-OMM reports that Emin Huseynov, the Special Representative of the President in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavand districts, announced these figures during an event held in Baku as part of the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13).
Addressing the ongoing challenges, Huseynov emphasized that the landmine threat remains a fundamental issue for the region. "We have no illusions that this problem will be completely eliminated in the near future. This challenge will continue to exist, and we must find ways to live with the reality of mines in our environment while actively combating them. We must remain constantly vigilant, act with caution, and prioritize the safety of our citizens," the Special Representative stated.
The massive contamination of Azerbaijan's liberated lands with mines and unexploded ordnance remains the primary obstacle to the rapid restoration and the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to the Garabagh region. Since the end of the 2020 conflict, Azerbaijan has launched a large-scale reconstruction program, known as the "Great Return," which involves building "smart villages" and modern infrastructure. However, international experts estimate that hundreds of thousands of mines were planted in these areas, making Azerbaijan one of the most landmine-contaminated countries in the world. The demining process is currently being spearheaded by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) with support from various state entities.
