Azerbaijan: Armenia's mine maps incorrect, 433 affected

Azerbaijan: 'All mine maps provided by Armenia were incorrect'

An official of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) stated that all mine maps handed over by Armenia were incorrect. 433 people were affected in mine explosions, and 73 lost their lives.

Scraper SystemAugust 05, 2026, 12:45 PMUpdated: August 24, 2026, 12:06 AM

Azerbaijan: 'All mine maps provided by Armenia were incorrect'

A press delegation from Türkiye observed demining operations in Azerbaijan's Aghdam region and received a briefing from officials of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA). Halik Zulfugarov, ANAMA's Aghdam operation guide, stated that all mine maps provided by Armenia were inaccurate.

Zulfugarov recalled that the region, which was occupied by Armenian armed forces in 1993 and contaminated with mines for 27 years, was liberated in the Second Karabakh War. He noted that Aghdam, once part of the former line of contact, was among the areas most heavily contaminated by mines but has now been completely cleared.

Scope of Demining Operations

Zulfugarov said that simultaneous demining operations are ongoing in Aghdam as well as Jabrayil, Fuzuli, Lachin, Qubadli and Aghdara. Noting that more than 350 personnel serve in the operations, the official added that teams include mine detection dogs, mechanical clearance units, local private organizations, as well as teams from the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Armenia's Mine-laying Method

The ANAMA official said that in the early years of the occupation mines were laid haphazardly, later specific lines were created, and when leaving the area a large number of mines were randomly left behind. Zulfugarov stated, 'They handed over the mine maps to our President. However, upon examination, it turned out that all these maps were incorrect.'

Destroyed Explosives and Cleared Area

Explaining that more than 250,000 pieces of ordnance, including 42,664 anti-personnel mines, 23,954 anti-tank mines and 190,352 various other explosive devices, have been neutralized in operations carried out so far in Karabakh and East Zangezur, Zulfugarov noted that 291,684 hectares of land have been cleared of mines. He added that in Aghdam alone, 13,077 anti-personnel mines, 7,895 anti-tank mines and 17,134 explosives were destroyed across an area of 45,130 hectares.

Toll of Mine Explosions

Zulfugarov stated that between November 10, 2020, and August 3, 268 mine explosions occurred in the region, affecting 433 people, killing 73 and injuring 360. He emphasized that the explosions happened not only along the former line of contact but also in areas 80-90 kilometers behind it, highlighting the extent of mine contamination.

After the briefing, the delegation witnessed a controlled demolition of mines in the field. They then visited the Aghdam Juma Mosque, which was damaged during the occupation and later restored and reopened for worship, and observed the reconstruction work in the city center.

Officials reported that the second residential complex, consisting of 66 buildings and 1,268 apartments on a 13-hectare site, including 60 residential buildings, has been completed in Aghdam, and that 814 families have been settled so far while new housing construction continues.

Mezahir Aliyev, who was forced to leave Aghdam in 1993, said that they returned to their newly built homes after 30 years and experienced emotional moments. Aliyev, noting that they returned to normal life with free housing allocation, said, 'We thank Türkiye and the Turkish people. They are our eternal brothers. They always help us and stand behind us.'

Finally, the delegation visited a shoe and wallpaper factory in the Industrial Park and inspected production.

Azerbaijan: 'All mine maps provided by Armenia were incorrect'

An official of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) stated that all mine maps handed over by Armenia were incorrect. 433 people were affected in mine explosions, and 73 lost their lives.