From Silent Danger to Safe Revival: Azerbaijan's Humanitarian Demining Mission

Long after the guns fall silent, landmines and unexploded ordnance continue to kill and maim. Across the world, dozens of countries live with this invisible threat buried beneath their soil — a deadly obstacle to peace, development, and normal life.

Azerbaijan is among the most severely affected. During the 30-year occupation of Garabagh and East Zangezur, more than 1.5 million mines were planted across the region. Since the liberation of these territories in November 2020 through April 3, 2026, mine incidents have claimed 72 lives and injured 349 others — 421 victims in total.

But the danger extends far beyond casualties. Mines paralyze agriculture, block transport and communication networks, and stall economic development. Most critically, they remain the single greatest obstacle to reconstruction efforts and to the safe return of hundreds of thousands of former internally displaced persons who were driven from their homes over three decades ago.

Many countries around the world share this burden. Some have been signatories of the Ottawa Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention for decades. Yet Azerbaijan — which cannot yet accede to the treaty as long as its neighbors remain outside the convention — is advancing its demining operations at a pace that outstrips many of those very signatories.

Under the leadership and vision of President Ilham Aliyev, Azerbaijan has turned humanitarian demining into a national strategic priority. Between 2020 and 2026, over 261,500 hectares of territory have been cleared. More than 41,000 anti-personnel mines, 23,000 anti-tank mines, and 181,700 pieces of unexploded ordnance have been detected and neutralized — a remarkable achievement driven by the tireless and courageous work of ANAMA and all relevant state bodies involved in the operation.

Azerbaijan's commitment to demining, however, does not stop at its own borders. Recognizing that dozens of mine-affected countries face the same challenge, President Aliyev has emerged as a leading voice on the global stage, calling for collective action and a new international framework.

Speaking at the Ministerial Meeting of the NAM Coordinating Bureau in Baku on 5th of June 2023, the President outlined Azerbaijan's broader vision:

"Landmines slow down the reconstruction process and the return of former internally displaced persons to the liberated territories. With this in mind, Azerbaijan has set a particular national Sustainable Development Goal on humanitarian demining. Moreover, Azerbaijan supports humanitarian demining efforts globally and put forward a proposal of launching the 18th SDG on demining. I am confident that NAM Member States will support my proposal to form a Like-Minded Group of Mine-Affected Countries to make our voice heard globally."

It's worth noting that in partnership with the State Agency for Support to NGOs and ANAMA, the Karabakh Revival Fund has launched a joint grant project focused on mine risk awareness in the liberated territories, supporting civil society efforts to educate communities and protect lives. Within the framework of this initiative, projects submitted by 10 non-governmental organizations have already been selected, and their implementation will begin in the near future.

Technological self-reliance is another pillar of this effort. In line with President Aliyev’s strategy of supporting domestic production, the Karabakh Revival Fund with support from local entrepreneurs presented ANAMA with the “Revival P” — an Azerbaijan-made demining machine that enhances both the speed of clearance operations and the safety of deminers.

The Fund's support for demining extends further. Together with Azerlotereya CJSC, the Karabakh Revival Fund donated three specially trained demining dogs to ANAMA — a valuable addition to the agency's detection capabilities on the ground. Currently, the dogs named Romi, Shimshek, and Skubi continue to carry out their important mission.

Demining is the foundation upon which Garabagh's revival is being built. As the land is cleared, life returns — in every sense.

Our goal is clear: a mine-free, safe, and prosperous Garabagh.