Iraq: Duhok clears over 540,000 square meters of explosives in 2024

On Thursday, the General Directorate for Mine Affairs in Duhok announced its 2024 statistics regarding efforts to remove explosive materials across the governorate. The Head of the Directorate, Shilan Naheli, told Shafaq News that mine clearance teams successfully cleared seven Read More …

Azerbaijani serviceman receives injury due to mine explosion

“On December 20, at around 12:00, Azerbaijan Army serviceman, Salmanov Ziyad Ilgar was injured stepping on an anti-personnel mine while performing service and combat tasks in the direction of the Sadarak district of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on the Azerbaijani-Armenian Read More …

Iraq: Over 500 mines and explosives removed in Duhok

On Wednesday, the General Directorate for Mine Affairs in Duhok province announced the removal and detonation of over 500 landmines. The Directorate’s Media Official, Reger Besfki, told Shafaq News that a mine and ordnance removal team successfully conducted an operation in Read More …

Human Rights Watch Q&A: US Antipersonnel Landmine Transfers

On November 20, 2024, the administration of United States President Joe Biden announced the transfer of antipersonnel landmines to Ukraine, reversing a longstanding US prohibition. An additional transfer of antipersonnel mines was announced on December 2. The announcements did not Read More …

UNIFIL and UNMAS hail partnership in demining in south Lebanon

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) today highlighted the achievements realized together in south Lebanon while vowing to continue the dangerous but life-saving undertaking of clearing landmines. UNIFIL Head of Mission Read More …

US to Send $750M in Anti-Drone Systems and Mines to Ukraine

The United States is preparing a new $725 million military aid package for Ukraine, a move intended to propel Kyiv as Russia earmarks 32 percent of its 2025 budget on defense. The assistance includes counter-drone systems, munitions for High Mobility Read More …

Don’t condemn the US decision to give anti-personnel mines to Ukraine

In Ukraine, it’s not just the frontline that’s a minefield. The decision of the United States to offer landmines to Ukraine, a signatory of the landmine ban treaty, creates as much of a diplomatic minefield as a military one. Landmines Read More …

Ukraine to get US land mines for use against Russian forces

US President Joe Biden has approved providing antipersonnel land mines to Ukraine in what has been seen as another policy reversal on weapons provided to Kyiv by the outgoing United States administration, according to reports. The US expects Ukraine to Read More …

Key findings from the Clearing the Mines 2024 report

As of today, 58 States and two territories remain contaminated with anti-personnel mines, and the need for focused and unwavering commitment to get all of them over the finish line by completing clearance is as important as ever. In 2023, Read More …

Azerbaijani serviceman injured by landmine in Goranboy District

An Azerbaijani serviceman was injured after stepping on a landmine in the Goranboy district on November 10. The incident occurred near the village of Gulustan, where the mine was reportedly planted by Armenian armed forces. The Ministry of Defense confirmed Read More …

Tackling the threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices

Following a successful side event organised by France on 14th October 2024, held alongside the First Committee of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the responses to the threats posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), Sebastian Read More …

Philippines: Army denounces NPA attack on soldiers in Albay relief operation

The Philippine Army (PA) strongly condemned the New People’s Army (NPA) after it allegedly attacked soldiers who were conducting relief work for victims of Severe Tropical Storm in Pio, Duran, Albay on Sunday, Oct. 27. A report reaching Camp Aguinaldo, Read More …

Angola: Trained rodents detect mines for people to farm again

“If you come across a snake, it’s best not to get nervous, but to stay calm and wait for it to pass.” The instructions given by paramedic João Eduardo are alarming, especially in latitudes where certain species of viper, cobra, Read More …

Mexico: Car bomb attacks signal escalation of cartel violence

Cartel violence is gripping Mexico. In the state of Guerrero, the mayor of Chilpancingo was decapitated. In Sinaloa, a truck was discovered with at least five bodies along with the ominous message “Welcome to Culiacán.” And now Guanajuato has been Read More …

Enhancing the Approach to Inclusive Information Management in the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

Addressing discrimination and promoting gender equality and inclusion has long been a priority of the APMBC. In the Oslo Action Plan (OAP), States Parties identified gender and diversity mainstreaming as a key best practice for Convention implementation. They committed to Read More …

Ongoing Landmine Crisis in Angola

Angola’s landmine problem is a tragic legacy of decades of conflict, first in the fight for independence from Portugal and later in the ensuing civil war. Historical records indicate that almost all parties involved in these conflicts were responsible for Read More …

Undersecretary Silli reaffirms Italy’s international commitment to humanitarian action against anti-personnel mines

Italian Undersecretary Silli today chaired the 27th Meeting of the National Committee for Humanitarian Action against Anti-Personnel Mines (CNAUMA) held in Rome. The meeting represents a key opportunity to exchange views with administrations and associations working in the sector. “Humanitarian Read More …

GICHD Insights: Towards The Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention

The Fifth Review Conference of the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) will open in Siem Reap-Angkor, Cambodia, on 25 November 2024. To contribute to preparations for this event, the GICHD is launching a series of issue briefs on selected thematic Read More …

Azerbaijan: Landmine claims multiple casualties in Gazakh

Several people have been injured following explosion of landmines laid during Armenian occupation in Gizilhajili village of Azerbaijan’s Gazakh district, Trend reports via the joint statement of the country’s Prosecutor General’s Office, State Border Service and Azerbaijan National Agency for Read More …

UNDP collaborates with FAO and WFP to test innovative demining technologies in Kharkiv Oblast

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is partnering with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to test cutting-edge demining technologies in the previously occupied community of Kamianka in Kharkiv Oblast. This collaboration between the Read More …