The mine threat in the liberated territories still continues to be a risk and danger. Thus, yesterday, as a result of an explosion in an area not fully cleared of mines in the village of Ashaghi Veysalli, Khojavand district, one civilian lost his life.
According to joint information released by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Mine Action Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ANAMA), Ramiz Mashallah oglu Hajiyev, a resident of Aghdam district born in 1968, died after stepping on an anti-tank mine with his horse while grazing livestock in an uncleared area along the former line of contact. According to the information, an investigation into the incident is underway.
Against the backdrop of the incident, the current stage of the humanitarian mine clearance process in the country, as well as the districts and directions where mine danger is more frequently observed, have once again come to the forefront.
In a statement to Modern.az regarding the topic, **Hafiz Safirkhanov**, Chairman of the Public Association 'Azerbaijan Campaign Against Mines,' noted that the mine clearance process is currently continuing at full speed.
He recalled that immediately after the Second Karabakh War, ANAMA was reorganized by a relevant decree of President Ilham Aliyev, and both the personnel and the material and technical base of the agency were expanded.
"According to that decree, the relevant units of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the State Border Service were also involved in humanitarian mine clearance operations. In addition, four commercial entities operating in Azerbaijan have also joined the mine clearance process."
According to H. Safirkhanov, mine clearance operations are currently being carried out in accordance with international standards, and this process is based on certain principles.
Factors such as weather conditions, terrain, wind speed, and rain directly affect the pace of work. Sometimes the pace of the process decreases, and sometimes it increases. However, with the improvement of weather conditions in the spring and summer seasons, mine clearance operations are expected to accelerate further."
He added that mine clearance in Azerbaijan is carried out using various methods:
"Areas are checked with manual clearance operations, remotely controlled robotic equipment, and the help of mine detection dogs. All methods and means stipulated in international standards are used in our country for humanitarian mine clearance operations."
The Chairman of the Public Association also brought to attention that, according to conducted research, one of the areas where mines and unexploded ordnance are most frequently encountered is the area known as the former "Ohanyan Line":
"This area extends from the Araz River towards Murovdağ and passes through the territories of several districts. These areas are more heavily mined and exposed to unexploded ordnance. Furthermore, after crossing this line, mining in one form or another is also encountered in the internal territories of Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur."
He also noted that Azerbaijan receives support from some states and international organizations in the field of humanitarian mine clearance:
"Countries such as Great Britain, Italy, France, and Germany have provided a certain amount of assistance. The European Union is considered the largest donor in this field. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are also among the countries providing assistance. Nevertheless, I would like to emphasize that the existing support is not fully adequate to the scale of the problem, and there is a need to increase aid."
H. Safirkhanov also touched upon the recent incident in Khojavand, stating that such incidents once again demonstrate the importance of awareness regarding the mine threat:
"The incident that occurred once again confirms that it is extremely important to take a serious approach to awareness-raising measures regarding the mine threat, to obey warning signs, and not to enter unfamiliar areas. Entering areas not cleared of mines is strictly prohibited. Roadside signs, as well as instructions and information, must be strictly followed," H. Safirkhanov concluded.
