Large-scale mine contamination continues to be a major obstacle to the safe return of internally displaced families, the reconstruction of liberated territories, economic development, and agriculture.
“Elchi” reports that Hikmat Hajiyev, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration, wrote about this on his “X” account.
According to him, mines remain the most severe legacy of the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict and continue to claim lives even after active hostilities have ended.
Thus, from November 10, 2020, to June 9, 2026, 264 mine incidents occurred in Azerbaijan, resulting in 427 people falling victim to mines, 73 of whom died and 354 were injured.
Hikmat Hajiyev noted that among the mine victims are 231 civilians and 196 military personnel.
The Presidential Assistant emphasized that since 1991, the total number of mine victims has exceeded 3,500. Among them are 362 children and young people, as well as 38 women.
“In addition to the tragic loss of life, large-scale mine contamination continues to be a major obstacle to the safe return of displaced families, the reconstruction of liberated territories, economic development, and agriculture. Every mine found and cleared represents not just a potentially saved life, but also a step toward improvement. Mine clearance activity is not only a security issue but also a humanitarian imperative and a prerequisite for sustainable reconstruction and development,” Hikmat Hajiyev added.