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Land mines have killed 73 Azerbaijani citizens and injured 354 others since the end of the Second Karabakh War on Nov. 10, 2020, presidential adviser Hikmet Hajiyev said.
He warned that explosive contamination continues to claim lives and obstruct reconstruction.
Hajiyev shared the figures in a post on the U.S.-based social media platform X while discussing Azerbaijan’s efforts to address the mine threat.
“Since Nov. 10, 2020, when the Second Karabakh War ended, 427 Azerbaijani citizens have become mine victims,” Hajiyev said. “Of these, 73 lost their lives and 354 were injured. Civilians account for 231 of the mine victims.”
He said the mines were laid during Armenia’s occupation and the years of conflict and continued to cause casualties after active hostilities had ended.
Hajiyev said the number of people killed or injured by mines in Azerbaijan since 1991 had exceeded 3,500.
The victims included 362 children and young people, as well as 38 women, he said.
Hajiyev described the mine threat as one of the most serious legacies of the conflict with Armenia.
He said widespread contamination was not limited to causing deaths and injuries but also created major obstacles to the safe return of displaced families.
The mines were also slowing the reconstruction of territories returned to Azerbaijani control and restricting economic development and agricultural activity, he said.
Hajiyev said every mine cleared could potentially save a life and represented another step toward recovery, reconstruction and development.
“Mine action is not only a security issue but a humanitarian necessity and a prerequisite for sustainable reconstruction and development,” he said.
Mines laid across Karabakh and surrounding areas during nearly 30 years of Armenian occupation continue to cause casualties more than five years after the Second Karabakh War.
The contamination has also slowed Azerbaijan’s reconstruction and redevelopment work in the region.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev previously said completely clearing the affected areas could take about 30 years and cost an estimated $25 billion.
Aliyev said approximately 12% of Azerbaijan’s territory was contaminated by about 1.5 million mines and an unknown quantity of unexploded ordnance.
The continuing threat affects efforts to restore infrastructure, revive agriculture and allow displaced residents to return safely to their homes.
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