ANAMA: Karabakh and East Zangazur contaminated with over 1 million mines

The Karabakh and East Zangazur economic regions have been contaminated with more than 1 million mines, according to preliminary assessments, Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), said at a panel session held as part of Baku Climate Action Week 2026.

According to Report, the panel was titled "Benefits and challenges of integrating artificial intelligence into early warning systems for multiple hazards."

Suleymanov said Azerbaijan is among the countries most heavily contaminated by mines:

"Climate change causes floods, droughts and forest fires. But these are not the only factors that make it difficult for people to live safely. Areas contaminated after wars are also among these factors. Mines contaminate not only land but also water. They also delay the construction of roads, settlements and homes in liberated territories," he said.

Suleymanov added that the scale of the mine threat cannot be measured solely by the number of mines and explosive devices:

"The mine threat is a problem that affects the safety of land, water, biodiversity and the ecosystem as a whole. Since the end of the 44-day Patriotic War, 300,565 hectares of territory have been cleared by ANAMA and other organizations involved in humanitarian mine action, and 261,705 mines and other explosive devices have been neutralized.

"Within the framework of environmental assessment projects, 31,037 hectares have been cleared of explosive devices for the restoration of forest resources, national parks and nature reserves such as Dostlug Forest and Basitchay State Nature Reserve, riverside areas, the restoration of water bodies, geological exploration, areas being explored for non-metallic mineral deposits, as well as the installation of early warning systems. In addition, 132,447 hectares have been cleared for agriculture, 71,202 hectares for residential infrastructure development, 12,443 hectares for energy infrastructure and 8,447 hectares for reclamation and water management projects."

He stressed that, alongside the demining process, areas heavily contaminated with mines and other explosive devices are being preserved and fenced off to ensure the safe and sustainable return of people to the liberated territories.