Ilham Aliyev: Azerbaijan has become one of most mine-contaminated countries in the world

As a result of nearly 30 years of occupation of its territories by Armenia, Azerbaijan has become one of the most mine-contaminated countries in the world, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said in his message to the participants of the 4th International Mine Action Conference themed "Humanitarian Demining for Urban Recovery: Setting Standards of Excellence for Safe Settlements,"  Olaylar informs.

"According to preliminary estimates, more than 13% of the territory of Azerbaijan is affected by mines and unexploded ordnance. The liberated territories of Garabagh and East Zangezur remain heavily contaminated, creating serious obstacles to reconstruction, economic activity, safe mobility and the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands," the head of state noted.

He noted that since the end of the Patriotic War in 2020, 437 Azerbaijani citizens have fallen victim to mine and explosive ordnance incidents, including civilians, servicemen, deminers, journalists and persons involved in reconstruction activities, resulting in 73 deaths and 364 severe injuries.

"Overall, since the beginning of Armeniachr("39")s aggression against Azerbaijan, more than 3500 of our citizens have suffered from mines. Among them are children, women and other civilians whose lives have been tragically affected by this hidden threat," reads the address.

The Azerbaijani leader also noted in his message that the scale of the challenge is further aggravated by the fact that the minefield maps provided by Armenia have been largely inaccurate and incomplete:

"Mines and booby traps have been found not only in former military positions, but also along roads, near residential areas, in cemeteries, agricultural lands, forests, riverbanks and other civilian locations. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan remains firmly committed to overcoming these challenges and ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable return of its citizens to their ancestral lands."