Azerbaijan highlights demining efforts at Washington roundtable

A roundtable discussion on Azerbaijan’s demining initiatives was held at the Hudson Institute in Washington, organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy. Representatives from ANAMA and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided insights into ongoing operations and challenges related to landmine clearance.

The event featured ANAMA’s Deputy Chairman, Samir Poladov, who briefed Michael Doran, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, along with other attendees, on Azerbaijan’s humanitarian demining efforts.

Poladov reported that since the Second Karabakh War ended, landmines have affected 385 Azerbaijani citizens, resulting in 315 injuries and 70 fatalities. He highlighted that 152 incidents occurred beyond the former conflict zone, including a recent explosion in Aghdam district.

Discussing funding, he stated that around 5% of the humanitarian demining budget comes from international donors, with Azerbaijan covering the rest.

A presentation detailed the extent of landmine contamination and demining progress. Since November 2020, over 190,000 hectares have been cleared, with more than 36,000 anti-personnel mines, 21,000 anti-tank mines, and 133,000 unexploded ordnance removed.

Poladov also acknowledged the support of the U.S. Marshall Legacy Institute, which has contributed over 90 mine-detection dogs to aid Azerbaijan’s demining efforts.

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