Lachin hosts meeting of Working Group for Clearing Mines and Unexploded Ordnance

The Working Group for Clearing Mines and Unexploded Ordnance, operating under the Interdepartmental Center of the Coordination Headquarters, for centralized resolution of issues in Azerbaijan's liberated territories, recently held its latest field meeting in the Lachin district.

According to Report, this crucial gathering brought together authorized representatives from the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), and other relevant state bodies represented in the Working Group.

Opening the session, Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of ANAMA's Management Board and head of the Working Group, highlighted the extensive humanitarian demining activities being carried out in accordance with the development plan for the liberated territories. He emphasized that these operations involve ANAMA, other engaged institutions, and local companies.

Suleymanov noted, "Demining projects in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur are primarily focused on creating residential infrastructure, and supporting transportation, energy, agriculture, industrial parks, and other priority sectors."

He revealed a staggering statistic: since November 10, 2020, a total of 155,447 hectares of land have been cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance in the liberated territories.

The importance of regular awareness training conducted by ANAMA was stressed, aimed at ensuring the safety of returning populations and those working in these areas.

Suleymanov noted that such training has already been provided to the residents of Lachin city, Sus, and Zabukh villages.

Later, the other members of the working group discussed the activities carried out by their respective institutions in this field and reviewed the submitted reports.

During the visit, Working Group members observed demining operations in Jojug Marjanli village in the Jabrayil district, conducted by ANAMA, and in Sarijali village, carried out by a local company.

They witnessed the controlled detonation process used to neutralize discovered mines and unexploded ordnance, underscoring the dangerous yet essential nature of this work.