Khalid Taimur Akram
Mines, unexploded devices, and booby traps are among the most menacing and hazardous remnants of Armenia’s nearly three-decade-long occupation of Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region. The nearly three-decade-long occupation has resulted in severe contamination of vast swathes of land, causing numerous casualties and hindering post-war reconstruction efforts. The deliberate placement of landmines by Armenia in civilian areas has led to an ongoing humanitarian crisis, affecting thousands of citizens and disrupting economic and agricultural activities in the region
Scale of Mine Contamination
According to initial estimates, over 1.5 million mines were planted across Azerbaijani lands during the occupation. Many Azerbaijani citizens have been killed by mine explosions since the Second Karabakh War ended in 2020. The sheer scale of mine contamination in Karabakh is alarming. Approximately 12% of Azerbaijan’s land is polluted with landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs), making it one of the most mine-infested regions in the world. The placement of these mines was not limited to military zones; they were also laid along roads, cemeteries, and civilian infrastructures, including homes, schools, and water sources. The persistence of these landmines not only endangers human lives but also significantly hampers Azerbaijan’s rehabilitation efforts and economic revival in the liberated territories.
The presence of landmines prevents displaced Azerbaijani citizens from returning to their homes, effectively continuing the terror of occupation even after its official end. Mines were strategically placed along roads, cemeteries, and other civilian installations to maximize their destructive impact. The resulting hazards have delayed reconstruction efforts and disrupted economic recovery. Farmers, shepherds, and villagers who attempt to reclaim their lands face daily risks, as unexploded ordnance remains a hidden menace beneath the soil. Armenia has failed to provide accurate minefield maps. This omission not only endangers lives but also violates fundamental human rights, including the right to life, security, and a healthy environment.
Demining Efforts
Azerbaijan has prioritized humanitarian demining as a national security and development imperative. Since the war’s end, Azerbaijan has launched multiple initiatives to raise awareness and seek international assistance for mine action. In May 2023, Azerbaijan spearheaded an effort to include mine clearance as the 18th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on the UN agenda. Moreover, the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) has actively engaged in demining operations, collaborating with international partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to establish the ANAMA-UNDP International Centre of Excellence and Training for Mine Action. Despite these obstacles, Azerbaijan has made significant strides in mine clearance. According to ANAMA, as of 2024, approximately 156,000 hectares have been cleared, with over 151,000 landmines and UXOs successfully neutralized. A total of 377 specialized teams are actively engaged in these operations, working tirelessly to reclaim the land for safe civilian use. However, the scale of contamination remains vast. The newly regained villages in the Gazakh district, for example, are heavily infested with landmines. The statistics of cleared mines change daily, reflecting the magnitude of the challenge. Between 2020 and 2024, 379 individuals fell victim to landmines in Eastern Zangezur and Karabakh, with 70 fatalities and 309 severe injuries. The continued presence of Armenian forces in some of these regions further complicates efforts to assess and eliminate the full extent of contamination.
One of the most pressing challenges in Azerbaijan’s demining efforts is the lack of reliable minefield maps. Initially, Armenian officials denied possessing such maps before eventually agreeing to exchange some for detained Armenian soldiers. The lack of comprehensive minefield data significantly increases the cost, difficulty, and danger of clearance operations. Without precise maps, deminers must rely on labor-intensive and risky detection methods, prolonging the threat to civilians and slowing the rehabilitation of the affected regions.
Environmental and Economic Consequences
Beyond the immediate loss of life and injuries, landmine contamination has had a profound impact on the region’s environment and economy. The landmines have rendered vast tracts of agricultural land unusable, directly threatening food security and economic development. The agricultural sector has been suffered immensely due to the inability to safely cultivate the land. Moreover, infrastructure projects essential for economic revitalization have been delayed due to the need for extensive demining operations. Reports from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) indicate that since the early 1990s, landmines in Karabakh have resulted in huge number of casualties, and more than 50% of whom were civilians. The destruction of farmlands, forests, and water resources due to mine contamination exacerbates the region’s economic challenges, making sustainable development difficult in the liberated areas.
Armenia bears direct responsibility for the extensive mine contamination in Azerbaijan. The systematic and large-scale planting of landmines was a deliberate state policy aimed at hindering Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery. This act constitutes a war crime under international humanitarian law, necessitating firm international action. The international community must hold Armenia accountable for its actions, pressuring it to provide complete and accurate minefield maps. Additionally, global organizations should increase support for Azerbaijan’s demining efforts, recognizing the dire humanitarian and environmental consequences of the mine crisis in Karabakh.
Landmine contamination in Azerbaijan’s Karabakh region remains one of the most severe humanitarian and security challenges facing the country today. The legacy of Armenia’s occupation continues to endanger lives, obstruct economic recovery, and prevent the safe return of displaced Azerbaijani citizens. The Azerbaijani government, ANAMA and international cooperation, is making commendable strides in demining efforts, but the scale of the problem requires sustained global attention and support. Ensuring the safety and well-being of displaced persons necessitates accelerated mine clearance, enhanced international cooperation, and accountability from Armenia. Only through collective efforts can the region overcome the deadly remnants of war and pave the way for a safer and more prosperous future.
