The aftermath of war is often measured not only in the lives lost and infrastructure destroyed, but in the invisible dangers that persist long after the final shots are fired. In the South Caucasus, the region of Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, remains one of the most heavily mined areas in the world. Following the end of the Second Karabakh War in 2020, Azerbaijan faces a monumental challenge: the detection and removal of hundreds of thousands of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) scattered across its newly liberated territories.
A Legacy of Conflict
The landmine problem in Karabakh is deeply rooted in the decades-long conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the region. The First Karabakh War (1988–1994) left behind significant mine contamination. Armenian forces, during their occupation of Azerbaijani territories, heavily mined roads, fields, forests, and even civilian areas to fortify positions and hinder any counteroffensives.
When Azerbaijan regained control over large parts of Karabakh and surrounding districts during the 44-day war in late 2020, it inherited a hazardous legacy. The scale of contamination quickly became apparent. According to official Azerbaijani sources, over one million landmines and explosive devices are believed to be buried across the region.
Since the cessation of hostilities in 2020, more than 392 Azerbaijani civilians and military personnel have been killed or injured due to landmine explosions, including deminers, journalists, and returning internally displaced persons (IDPs). The danger posed by these hidden killers has slowed the return of hundreds of thousands of IDPs to their ancestral homes, many of whom have waited decades to go back.
Tragically, many of the victims are civilians attempting to revisit their home villages, check on farmland, or assess the damage to their property. The government has repeatedly issued warnings and restricted access to liberated areas until they are declared safe, but the emotional pull of returning home has often proven stronger than the risks.
Economic and Environmental Impact
The presence of landmines not only endangers lives but also cripples economic development. Karabakh’s fertile lands, once known for agriculture and livestock, remain largely inaccessible. Farming, one of the primary sources of income for rural communities, cannot resume on any meaningful scale. Infrastructure projects—such as roads, schools, and power stations—also face delays due to the need for extensive demining before construction can begin.
Moreover, demining is a slow, expensive, and technically challenging process. A single square meter of land can take hours to clear, especially in mountainous or forested terrain. Weather conditions, topography, and outdated maps further complicate operations. The environmental toll is significant as well; some areas have been irreversibly damaged due to the long-term presence of mines and military activity.
National and International Response
To tackle this enormous task, Azerbaijan established the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), which coordinates the country’s demining efforts. ANAMA has been working in collaboration with the Ministry of Defense, international partners, and humanitarian organizations to systematically clear liberated territories.
Several countries and international bodies, including the United Nations, the European Union, the UK, and Turkey, have supported Azerbaijan’s mine action initiatives through funding, equipment, and expertise. Turkey and the UK have provided training for Azerbaijani demining teams, while Pakistan, Hungary, and several others have sent demining personnel to assist on the ground.
As of early 2025, ANAMA reports that over 100,000 hectares of land have been surveyed, and tens of thousands of mines and UXO have been neutralized. However, this represents only a fraction of the total area requiring clearance.
The Political Dimension
Azerbaijan has repeatedly criticized Armenia for not providing complete and accurate maps of mined areas. While some maps were handed over following the war, Azerbaijani officials have stated that many are either missing or only partially accurate, rendering them unreliable for safe clearance operations.
President Ilham Aliyev has called the use of landmines a form of “ecological and humanitarian terror,” asserting that they were deliberately placed to prevent the return of Azerbaijanis to their homes. He has also used international platforms to call for stronger accountability and cooperation from Armenia in addressing the landmine issue.
Humanitarian and Technological Innovations
Given the scale of the problem, Azerbaijan is investing in innovative approaches to accelerate mine clearance. Drones equipped with infrared sensors and ground-penetrating radar are being used to detect suspicious areas. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being tested to analyze terrain data and help prioritize clearance zones.
Education and awareness campaigns are also underway to warn the local population—especially children—about the dangers of unexploded ordnance. Informational signage, community outreach, and school programs aim to reduce the risk of accidental detonations in semi-cleared or partially accessible areas.
Looking Ahead
The road to fully rehabilitating Karabakh is long and fraught with danger, but Azerbaijan is committed to transforming the region from a symbol of destruction into one of renewal. The construction of new towns, roads, and energy infrastructure is already underway, with the government promising to create a “smart city” network across the liberated territories.
Yet, no meaningful reconstruction can be achieved until the land is safe. Mine clearance remains the foundation upon which all other efforts rest—whether it’s resettlement, agriculture, tourism, or cultural restoration.
The international community has a vital role to play. Continued support in the form of funding, expertise, and technology can significantly reduce the time and human cost of clearing mines. Beyond the geopolitical narratives, the landmine crisis in Karabakh is, above all, a humanitarian emergency.
Azerbaijan’s landmine challenge in Karabakh is emblematic of the broader scars left by long-standing conflict. It is a test of resilience, coordination, and international solidarity. As the country works to reclaim not only its territory but also its future, ensuring that each step taken on the soil of Karabakh is safe becomes a powerful act of healing—and hope.
[Photo by Aykhan Zayedzadeh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons]
Fuad Alakbarov is a freelance foreign policy analyst from Glasgow with a focus on South Caucasus, Africa and Central Asia. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
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