‘Safe futures start here’: UN calls for global action to eliminate mine threat

More than 100 million people worldwide are at risk from landmines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) Secretary-General António Guterres said on Friday, in his message for the International Day for Mine Awareness. “Even when the guns Read More …

UN reaffirms support for Somalia in tackling explosive threats

The United Nations (UN) on Friday reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia in the fight against explosive hazards, aiming for a safe and secure future for all citizens. James Swan, UN secretary-general’s special representative for Somalia, said improvised explosive devices Read More …

New Frontlines and an Uncertain Future for Mine Clearance in Colombia

Nearly a decade after the landmark 2016 Peace Agreement between the Colombian government and a communist guerilla group known as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), the prevalence of landmines remains a critical issue in the country. As mine Read More …

New understanding cements continued UNIFIL support in demining in south Lebanon

UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) yesterday, renewing the UN peacekeeping mission’s support for humanitarian and operational demining in the UNIFIL area of operations in south Lebanon. UNIFIL Chief of Staff Major General Read More …

British bomb disposal expert injured in Gaza

A British bomb disposal expert has been injured in an attack on a UN facility in the Gaza Strip, the charity he works for has said. The 51-year-old, who was not named, was one of five people injured in an Read More …

Syria: Entire families killed in sectarian violence, UN says

Armed groups killed entire families, including women and children, during an outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria last week, the United Nations’ human rights office said on Tuesday. The bloodshed in the coastal heartland of former ruler Bashar al-Assad saw Read More …

UN crew member killed in attack on helicopter in South Sudan

A United Nations helicopter attempting to evacuate South Sudanese soldiers has come under fire near the town of Nasir, the UN mission (UNMISS) there said, resulting in the death of one crew member and several troops. The attack came on Read More …

Somalia: UNMAS handover life-saving equipment to counter the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices

Somalia’s path to self-reliance in national security received a major boost today with the handover of assorted, life-saving equipment to counter the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). “Given the nature of the IED threat here in Somalia, it’s Read More …

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 …