By: Gayathri Pramod, Research Analyst, GSDN

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Azerbaijan, a persistent and hazardous legacy of armed conflict, demands urgent attention and international cooperation. The aftermath of the protracted Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has left these remnants of war posing an immediate danger to civilian life and severely hindering socio-economic development, the safe return of displaced populations, and post-conflict reconstruction. This analysis delves into the nature, scope, and implications of UXO in Azerbaijan, highlighting the systemic challenges associated with their clearance and the broader geopolitical context that continues to shape the UXO landscape in the region. The presence of UXO in Azerbaijan is intricately tied to the historical and political tensions surrounding the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which have led to a clear victory for Azerbaijan.

The armed confrontations between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces, particularly during the intense periods of conflict in the early 1990s and again in 2020, resulted in widespread deployment of various forms of military ordnance, including cluster munitions, artillery shells, landmines, and rockets. Many of these devices failed to detonate upon impact and remain buried or hidden across extensive areas, particularly in formerly occupied territories that have since returned to Azerbaijani control. The resurgence of conflict in 2020 significantly expanded the geographic scope of UXO contamination, extending the risk into new zones and complicating the already daunting task of clearance, which had a direct effect on the lives of civilians. These military piles and stocks are very hazardous for humans and the environment. UXOs are particularly insidious.

These include bombs, grenades, and munitions that failed to detonate as intended. Some are found years later, still lethal and hazardous. In one instance in Mardakert in the early 2000s, a downed helicopter left behind air-to-surface missiles and operational guns lying scattered in an open field. In another tragic case, a young boy named Artak Beglaryan—who would later become a prominent public figure—lost his sight after mistaking an unexploded bomblet for a toy. These stories are not rare; they are the reality of life in formerly contested areas. Since the 2020 ceasefire, reports of civilian casualties have persisted. The International Crisis Group recently noted that over 50 Azerbaijanis have been killed and nearly 300 injured due to mines and UXO. Often unaware of the risks, children are particularly vulnerable, prompting governments and international organizations to ramp up educational campaigns in schools near contaminated zones. The scale of UXO contamination is both vast and multifaceted. In many liberated districts such as Fuzuli, Jabrayil, and Aghdam, entire areas remain inaccessible due to the threat of unexploded ordnance. This widespread presence obstructs resettlement programs and delays critical infrastructure projects such as rebuilding roads, schools, and utilities. Moreover, the contamination of agricultural lands with UXO is particularly devastating for Azerbaijan, a country where agriculture plays a crucial role in local livelihoods and national economic output. Farmers cannot cultivate land without risking their lives, and the resulting economic paralysis affects food security and the broader process of rural revitalization.

The scale of problems in Azerbaijan

The human cost of unexploded ordnance is beyond stating. According to Landmine Monitor, Azerbaijan remains one of the most heavily mine-contaminated countries, with an estimated 1.5 million landmines posing a threat to over 13% of its territory. Since 1991, Armenian military forces have extensively planted mines within Azerbaijani territory—including Karabakh, a region now an integral part of Azerbaijan, and seven adjacent districts—both during the occupation and aftermath of the Second Karabakh War in September-November 2020, throughout the post-conflict period. Since the end of the war in November 2020, 392 Azerbaijani civilians have been killed or seriously injured, despite the country immediately launching extensive humanitarian demining operations. Dozens of civilians, including children, have been killed or maimed since the end of active hostilities, often while returning to inspect or reclaim their homes. In total, over 3,400 Azerbaijanis have been victims of mines since the conflict began in 1991 – including 359 children and 38 women. UXO-related incidents have also affected demining personnel, underscoring the extreme risks faced even by trained professionals. This continuing toll on human life reflects the enduring threat that UXOs pose, even in the absence of active conflict. It also points to immediate and sustained investment in public education campaigns to raise awareness among returning residents and continued international funding and expertise to support clearance and victim assistance programs.

The issue of UXO in Azerbaijan has become a deeply entrenched humanitarian concern, particularly as thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) make their way back to their former homes in regions surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. These lands, once ravaged by war, now hold hidden dangers beneath their surface—remnants of decades of conflict in the form of landmines and UXO that continue to claim lives and limbs. The problem is not new, but the urgency is heightened by the sheer number of people returning to rebuild their lives. In the years since the 2020 ceasefire agreement, Azerbaijan has undertaken significant efforts to address this threat. Vugar Suleymanov, who heads the Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA), reported that over 111,000 hectares of contaminated land had been cleared in just three years. These efforts have uncovered and safely removed more than 30,000 anti-personnel mines, around 18,000 anti-tank mines, and over 60,000 pieces of unexploded ordnance. While these numbers reflect impressive progress, they also hint at the scale of the problem—it is immense, and the road ahead remains long and dangerous. The mine contamination is not just a recent by-product of the latest war. Mines and UXO have been buried across the region since the first Karabakh conflict in the early 1990s. Their placement records are often missing, inaccurate, or deliberately withheld, and their after-effects remain. 

Recently, the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) warned Azerbaijani citizens, urging them to be extremely cautious when encountering mines, unexploded military ordinances, or unknown objects. According to Azernews, the Ministry’s statement emphasizes avoiding contact with potentially dangerous items. The public is advised not to touch or handle mines, unexploded ordnance, or any unfamiliar objects that may pose a threat. The warning advises against entering dangerous areas and urges people not to intervene with discarded munitions. The statement further advises, “Do not touch mines, unexploded military ordnance, or unknown objects, and do not pick them up. Never attempt to interfere with them to protect your life.” While the international spotlight often focuses on political developments, the human cost of landmines and unexploded ordnance continues to mount quietly. For example, thousands of hectares of farmland remain unusable in the Tavush region of Armenia due to mines. Efforts to address the problem have included establishing a U.S.-funded demining center in Etchmiadzin, which focused on training local teams, though border-adjacent defensive minefields were notably excluded from clearance plans. Unfortunately, mine action has often been politicized. Accusations have been levelled against demining organizations, including the HALO Trust, not necessarily for what they have done but because of how politically sensitive mine clearance has become. This underscores the need for international cooperation and the importance of global solidarity in dealing with the legacy of war.

Given the devastating impact and widespread presence of landmines, Azerbaijan has prioritized humanitarian demining efforts in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions. Although international partners support these efforts, more assistance is urgently needed. To date, approximately 185,707 hectares of land have been cleared by the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and other operators. These operations have led to the successful detection and neutralization of 181,148 explosive devices, including 36,103 anti-personnel mines, 21,457 anti-tank mines, and 123,376 unexploded ordnances (UXOs). Landmine clearance is an inherently complex and lengthy process. However, Azerbaijan has mobilized its national resources and invested in modern technologies to improve the efficiency of mine action. Despite these significant efforts, international support remains insufficient. Currently, the Azerbaijani government finances approximately 95% of all demining operations. While contributions from international organizations and partner countries such as KS relief, NSPA, MLI, Roots of Peace, ARMAC, and MAG are valuable, they fall short of meeting the full scale of the challenge. Azerbaijan continues to call for more substantial political and practical support from the international community to address the humanitarian consequences of landmines and accelerate the clearance of affected areas.

Landmines also continue to serve as a significant impediment to the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the reconstruction of infrastructure. Despite Azerbaijan’s repeated appeals to Armenia, both before and after the 44-day Patriotic War, to provide accurate landmine maps, Armenia initially denied the existence of such maps. Only under international pressure did Armenia eventually provide limited information, which covered only a tiny portion of the mined areas and proved to be only 25% accurate. Over 55% of recent landmine incidents have occurred in areas not covered by these maps. Furthermore, while Armenia’s maps claimed that approximately 400,000 landmines had been planted in Azerbaijani territory, the actual number is believed to be closer to 1.5 million. The provision of accurate and comprehensive maps of all landmine-contaminated sites is essential to ensuring the safe return of IDPs and facilitating reconstruction in the affected regions. Since 2022, more than 10,000 former IDPs have returned to 10 settlements in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions. Around 30,000 people live and work in these areas, contributing to key sectors such as construction, governance, and industry. By the end of 2025, the number of resettled communities is expected to increase to 30. The Azerbaijani government has undertaken significant initiatives to support the development of these regions, with a focus on creating employment opportunities, fostering sustainable regional development, and ensuring dignified living conditions.

The government is constructing modern housing, developing infrastructure, and providing essential services to support these goals. Economic programs are also being launched to stimulate local business development and agriculture. These comprehensive efforts aim to ensure that the people returning to Karabakh and East Zangezur can live in a safe, stable, and prosperous environment. Additionally, Karabakh and East Zangezur have been designated green energy zones. Since the end of the 44-day Patriotic War in 2020, Azerbaijan has made substantial investments in hydro energy, with 270 megawatts of hydroelectric power already operational within four years. The continued presence of landmines in Azerbaijan poses a serious security threat and remains a significant obstacle to peace, reconciliation, and sustainable development. On the international front, Azerbaijan has actively raised awareness about the serious landmine threat in Karabakh and East Zangezur.

In 2023, the country formally recognized humanitarian demining as its 18th National Sustainable Development Goal and began advocating for its adoption as the 18th Global Sustainable Development Goal by the United Nations. Azerbaijan also proposed the establishment of a Special Contact Group on Humanitarian Demining within the Non-Aligned Movement, which became operational in September 2023. That same year, Azerbaijan led a resolution at the 15th meeting of the state’s parties to the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The resolution, titled “The Impact of Mines on Cultural Heritage,” addressed the devastating effects of landmines on cultural sites. In another significant step forward, in May 2024, the Mine Action Agency of Azerbaijan (ANAMA) and the United Nations Development Programme signed a letter of intent to establish a “Centre of Excellence” focused on mine action education. This new centre will enable Azerbaijan to share its expertise with other countries facing similar challenges. Most recently, on April 4, 2025, the Permanent Mission of Azerbaijan to the United Nations and the Centre of Analysis of International Relations (AIR Centre), a leading Baku-based think tank on foreign and security policy, co-organized a high-level discussion at the UN Headquarters in New York. The event, “Saving Lives Through Humanitarian Mine Action in Azerbaijan,” was held in observance of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. It brought together key stakeholders in the field to address the humanitarian impact of landmines and explosive remnants of war in Azerbaijan, reaffirming the country’s commitment to tackling the global landmine crisis.

Azerbaijan’s global outreach activities

Beyond the humanitarian and developmental dimensions, the UXO issue in Azerbaijan also carries strategic and political implications. The extent to which the Azerbaijani government can effectively manage UXO clearance operations is closely tied to its broader goals of consolidating control over recaptured territories and projecting an image of stability and state capacity. At the same time, failing to clear these areas fully or do so quickly could fuel domestic frustration or undermine efforts at reconciliation and reintegration. The region is not an easy task; moreover, the presence of UXOs can be used as a political tool in narratives of victimhood and legitimacy, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan accusing each other of deploying prohibited weapons or failing to cooperate in humanitarian demining. More recently, even the exchange of minefield maps has been caught up in political bargaining, such as when Armenia reportedly traded such data to release detained individuals. However, it was not always this way. In the early 2000s, efforts were made to bridge divides through joint mine clearance training programs involving Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia under U.S.-led initiatives. These Confidence and Security Building Measures were a testament to what could be achieved with cooperation. There is hope that such cooperation might return.

Experts like Hafiz Safikhanov in Baku have suggested that similar initiatives are still possible. However, meaningful collaboration likely hinges on the resolution of deeper political disputes. Perhaps most critically, the region could consider joining the Ottawa Treaty, which seeks to eliminate the use of anti-personnel mines. For that to happen, however, the war of words must end and be replaced by a commitment to saving lives and ensuring a safer future. Until then, the fields of Azerbaijan—silent, green, and often deadly—will continue to bear witness to a past that refuses to be buried.

International law also intersects with the UXO challenge in significant ways. The use of certain types of ordnance, such as cluster munitions, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and may contravene international humanitarian norms, particularly when such weapons are used in civilian-populated areas. While neither Azerbaijan nor Armenia is a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, the growing global consensus against the use of such weapons places moral and diplomatic pressure on both sides.

In this context, Azerbaijan’s UXO clearance efforts are not just technical operations but also carry implications for its international image and relationships, especially with donor countries and institutions concerned with post-conflict rehabilitation. Efforts to address the UXO problem in Azerbaijan have been both concerted and ongoing, yet remain challenged by the scale of the issue and the complexity of the terrain. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has been at the forefront of clearance operations, supported by international partners, including the United Nations Development Programme and various NGOs. Despite significant progress, the sheer density of contamination and the lack of accurate mapping from previous decades of conflict make the task extremely arduous. Additionally, the use of cluster munitions during the 2020 conflict — which scatter multiple smaller sub-munitions over a wide area — has introduced a more unpredictable pattern of UXO dispersal, complicating the technical and logistical aspects of demining operations.

The future trajectory of UXO management in Azerbaijan will depend on several interrelated factors. These include the sustained commitment of government resources, the availability of international support, technological innovation in demining practices, and the overall political climate between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Advances in remote sensing, artificial intelligence, and drone-based surveying hold promise for enhancing the efficiency of clearance operations, but such technologies require significant investment and training. Additionally, peacebuilding and regional diplomacy progress could open new avenues for collaborative approaches to UXO clearance, although mutual distrust and unresolved grievances continue to pose serious obstacles.

In conclusion, unexploded ordnance in Azerbaijan represents a multifaceted challenge with far-reaching implications for human security, economic recovery, and political stability. While efforts at clearance and risk mitigation are ongoing, the problem remains deeply embedded in the region’s historical, technical, and geopolitical fabric. Addressing this issue comprehensively will require continued operational focus and a broader strategy that integrates humanitarian, developmental, and diplomatic dimensions. Until then, UXO will continue to cast a long shadow over Azerbaijan’s post-conflict recovery and its aspirations for lasting peace and development.