EU commissioner briefed on mine clearance efforts in liberated areas

APA

European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, visited the recently liberated village of Sarijali in Aghdam today. During her visit, she inspected mined areas and observed demining operations carried out by the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA).

The Commissioner was informed that a significant number of mines had been laid in the territories during the occupation. Demining operations commenced following the liberation of the areas, and a number of sites have since been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance. It was also noted that civilians have been affected by mines planted during the occupation.

ANAMA officials briefed Marta Kos on demining efforts conducted between 2020 and 2025. According to the agency, from November 2020 to 17 September 2025, a total of 227,713.3 hectares in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur have been cleared of mines and explosive remnants of war. This includes 38,600 anti-personnel mines, 22,192 anti-tank mines, and 148,376 unexploded ordnance, amounting to 209,168 hazardous items neutralised in total.

The operations involve manual clearance, specialised mechanical equipment, and mine-detecting dogs. Marta Kos also observed the process of neutralising mines through controlled detonation.

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