Salmanova: Mine threat slows reconstruction in Azerbaijan's liberated lands

One of the most serious challenges of the post-conflict period is the threat of mines, Sabina Salmanova, Member of the Azerbaijani Parliament, said during the 13th Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku, Report informs.

The MP noted that mines planted by Armenia continue to endanger lives and delay reconstruction: "More than 900,000 hectares of liberated land are contaminated with mines and unexploded ordnance, with an estimated 1.5 million mines buried. Since November 2020, over 262,000 hectares have been cleared and more than 246,000 mines and unexploded weapons neutralized. To date, more than 450 Azerbaijani citizens have been killed or injured by mine explosions."

Salmanova stressed that before building a road, school, or village, extensive demining must be carried out, which causes delays, requires significant financial resources, and poses serious risks to human life: "Mine danger is not only a security issue but also a major humanitarian problem. It is one of the main obstacles delaying people's return to their native lands. Mines also hinder agriculture, economic activity, and the restoration of social life."