As a result of Armenia's nearly 30-year occupation of its territories, Azerbaijan has become one of the most mine-polluted countries in the world.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, this was stated in an address by President Ilham Aliyev to the participants of the 4th International Mine Action Conference, themed "Humanitarian Mine Action for Urban Recovery: Defining Excellence Standards for Safe Settlements."
In his address, the head of state noted that, according to preliminary estimates, more than 13 percent of Azerbaijan's territory has been subjected to the impact of mines and unexploded ordnance:
"The liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur remain heavily contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, which creates serious obstacles for reconstruction, economic activity, safe movement, and the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands," the President stated.
The Azerbaijani leader recalled that since the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, 437 Azerbaijani citizens—including civilians, military personnel, deminers, journalists, and those involved in reconstruction efforts—have become victims of mine and explosive ordnance incidents. As a result, 73 people have lost their lives, and 364 have been severely injured.
"In total, since the beginning of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan, more than 3,500 of our citizens have suffered from mines. Among them are children, women, and other civilians, whose lives have been tragically impacted by this hidden danger," President Ilham Aliyev emphasized.
The President further stressed that the maps of mined areas provided by Armenia are largely inaccurate and incomplete, which further exacerbates the scale of this challenge:
"Mines and booby traps have been discovered not only in former military positions but also along roads, near residential areas, in cemeteries, agricultural lands, forests, riverbanks, and other civilian areas. Despite this, Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the safe, dignified, and sustainable return of its citizens to their native lands."
The issue of landmines remains a critical humanitarian and developmental challenge for Azerbaijan. Following the 2020 Patriotic War, the government launched the "Great Return" program, aimed at rebuilding liberated cities and villages. However, the presence of millions of mines planted during the occupation continues to pose a lethal threat to civilians and significantly slows down infrastructure projects and the resettlement of former IDPs.
