Overview
SITUATION - Dec. 95 - The disputed
territory of Nagorno Karabakh, torn by five years of war between Armenia
and
Azerbaijan, has a serious mine problem. Nagorno Karabakh is a recognised
part of Azeri territory, but the majority of
inhabitants are Armenian, and the Azeris occupy only a small parcel of
the area. The land mine problem was especially evident in the summer of
1994, when a lull in fighting allowed time for the harvest. At least 10
people were killed and many more injured by exploding mines while working
in the fields, reported the Tass News Agency (23 Aug. 94). Mines seriously
affect farm work throughout Nagorno Karabakh, reports the territory's Minister
of Agriculture. He also told Tass that demining by self-defense units would
help increase the arable area by 20%.
In Sep. 95 Halo Trust completed a mine survey of Nagorno Karabakh and decided that the number of estimated land mines in the area was 100,000. Over 30 civilian mine and UXO casualties were registered in the three months that Halo was active in Nagorno Karabakh. Halo estimates that if the population density and the land area are analysed with the number of mines, the degree of infestation is close to that in Afghanistan. Halo has trained six supervisers and 45 deminers from the local population. Halo has surveyed the regions of Martakert and Hadrut (see Location). To date, Halo has destroyed 4 tons of UXO. Halo has also started mine awareness activities through the mass media.
Locations
The border area is now considered unsafe for farming because of land mines. In Martakert 130 km of mined roads and 50 sq km of minefields of various densities have been identified. Halo Trust is presently surveying Martuni, Askaran and Shushi. Parts of Mardakert and Martuni districts and the entire Shahumian district are still under Azeri control.
Number of Mines
100,000. Figure provided by Halo Trust.
Country Statistics
Existing mines:
AT
AP
total 100,000
Demining Capacity
Hardly any details are available, but
Nagorno Karabakh's Minister of Agriculture was quoted by Tass News Agency
in Aug.
94 as saying that self-defense units were actively demining agricultural
land. Halo Tust has trained 45 local civilians to begin
demining operations.
Inhumane Weapons Convention
non-signatory
Moratorium on the export of anti-personnel mines