Syria: Mine casualties persist as UN partners scale up clearance operations

“Mine action partners continue to report casualties due to explosive ordnance, and that is happening sadly on an almost daily basis,” Mr. Dujarric explained in a press briefing on Monday in New York. Farmers and shepherds are particularly vulnerable. Since Read More …

Lebanese authorities arrest 25 after attack on UN peacekeepers

Lebanese authorities arrested more than 25 people on Saturday following an attack on a United Nations convoy that wounded two peacekeepers the day before, the interior minister said in a statement. UN and Lebanese officials have condemned Friday’s attack, which Read More …

UN Security Council hears of persistent and evolving Da’esh threat

The terrorist group Da’esh, also known as ISIL, remains a serious global security threat despite years of sustained efforts to dismantle its operations, UN counter-terrorism officials warned during a Security Council meeting on Monday. The discussion focused on the 20th Read More …

Afghanistan needs $21.9 million for mine clearance

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that $21.9 million is needed this year to fund mine clearance and provide explosive hazard risk education in Afghanistan. In a statement on Sunday, OCHA warned that Read More …

Syria: Explosive remnants of civil war pose a daunting challenge

Almost 14 years of civil war contaminated swathes of the Syrian Arab Republic with roughly 324,600 unexploded rockets and bombs and thousands of landmines, according to a 2023 estimate by the US-based Carter Center. In the last four years alone, Read More …

Yemen: Houthi rebels unilaterally release 153 war detainees

Yemen’s Houthi rebels unilaterally freed 153 war detainees Saturday, the International Committee of the Red Cross said, one of several overtures in recent days to ease tensions after the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Previous prisoner Read More …

UN Security Council renews sanctions against Al-Shabaab terror group

The UN Security Council on Friday adopted a resolution renewing the sanctions against al-Shabaab terror group in Somalia until Feb. 28, 2025. The resolution, submitted by the UK, was unanimously adopted by the 15-member Security Council. It allows authorization for Read More …

Leveraging new technology for a mine-free future

The devastating legacy of armed conflict – often marked by the indiscriminate use of landmines, improvised explosive devices and other explosive ordnance – poses a significant humanitarian challenge. Innovation in mine action With over 25 years of experience, UNOPS has Read More …

India-Cambodia joint military exercise concludes in Pune

The first edition of CambodiaIndia Bilateral Army Exercise (CINBAXI) successfully concluded on Friday, marking a significant milestone in strengthening military cooperation and interoperability between the two nations. The joint exercise saw active participation from both the Cambodian and Indian contingents, 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 …

UNIFIL Statement: Artillery Shell Hits UNIFIL Sector West Headquarters

Shama (Lebanon), 15 November 2024 – This afternoon, a 155mm live artillery shell hit UNP 2-3, UNIFIL West Sector headquarters in Shama. The shell did not detonate and Italian bomb disposal experts swiftly secured the area, removed the ordnance, and Read More …

Vietnam and India’s engineers coordinate mine clearance to ensure peacekeeping forces

Engineer forces of Vietnam and India have coordinated together to practice clearing mines and explosives, ensuring safety for United Nations peacekeeping forces. This is the main content of the exercise situation that the engineering forces of Vietnam and India have 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 …

German UNIFIL ship downs drone off Lebanese coast

A German Navy warship participating in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has downed a drone off Lebanon’s coast, a military spokesman told dpa on Thursday. The Ludwigshafen am Rhein corvette repelled an approaching drone at around 7 Read More …

UNDP identifies most promising innovative approaches to financing mine action in Ukraine

The issuance of thematic bonds linked to sustainable development and result-oriented public-private partnerships are the most promising innovative tools for financing mine action in Ukraine. This is stated in a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) based on Read More …

Supporting humanitarian mine action in Yemen

UNOPS and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in Yemen are working to scale-up much-needed mine action operations across the country. Years of conflict in Yemen have left a devastating mark on the country, including the widespread contamination of explosive remnants Read More …

UN: 1,500 Somalis killed or injured by explosive devices in 2023

At least 1,500 civilians were killed or injured by 600 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Somalia over the past year, the UN reported late Thursday. UN Secretary-General’s Acting Special Representative for Somalia James Swan said that the threat of IEDs Read More …

French peacekeepers conduct joint training with LAF on first aid, improvised explosive devices

UNIFIL’s French peacekeepers hosted members of the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) in their main base in the south Lebanese village of Dayr Kifa for joint training last week. The three-day activity saw 10 Lebanese soldiers learn skills together with their Read More …

New IAEA Publication about Detecting Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control

A new IAEA publication titled Detection in a State’s Interior of Nuclear and Other Radioactive Material out of Regulatory Control offers law enforcement agencies and frontline officers detailed guidance to support them in combatting criminal acts involving nuclear or other Read More …

Bringing Drone Technology to Iraqi Police

“In 2021, the Ministry of Interior (MoI) Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Salman Pak Training Center received 20 drones from UNMAS Iraq. These drones were distributed to relevant departments across the Iraqi governorates in order to ensure the best use of Read More …