Mine Action Weekly, 13 - 19 January 2025
Markus Schindler
Strategic Development & Innovation Manager at FSD | Editor of Mine Action Weekly | Capacity Development & Localisation Geek | Researcher
Welcome to the newest edition of the Mine Action Weekly newsletter - your go-to source for the most important global updates from the mine action sector. Read about the latest news on EO contamination & clearance, EORE, accidents and victim assistance, advocacy efforts, stockpile destruction, mine action innovation & technology, and assistance, cooperation & funding - right here, every Monday. Dive right in and stay up-to-date!
Disclaimers:
Weekly News Roundup
The weekly news roundup showcases a low-down of the top mine action news and insights from the past seven days.
1. EO Contamination, Clearance & Land Release
???? Azerbaijan: ANAMA: 1043.2 hectares of territory cleared of mines and UXOs over past week
During mine-clearing operations in Azerbaijan, 192 anti-personnel, 55 anti-tank mines, as well as 567 unexploded ordnances (UXO) were found and neutralised from 3 to 12 January 2025. In total, 1043.2 hectares of territory were cleared of mines and UXOs. Read more here.
???? Cambodia: CMAC cleared 200 sq km of mines, UXOs in 2024, focussing this year on border areas
Last year the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) destroyed approximately 100,000 explosive remants of war (ERW) and cleared nearly 200 square kilometres of landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO). This year CMAC intends to increase mine risk education and demining activities with the goal of clearing 154 square kilometres (sq km) benefitting up to two million people.
???? Germany: Finding Unexploded WWII Bombs In Germany Is Run-Of-The-Mill. Huh?
Germany continues to grapple with unexploded World War II ordnance, with bomb disposal units defusing an estimated 2,000 tons of munitions annually. In Berlin alone, 1.8 million pieces were defused between 1947 and 2018.
???? Iraq: 2024 War Remnant Clearance: Kurdistan’s Al-Sulaymaniyah removes 30K+ unexploded ordnances
In 2024, Al-Sulaymaniyah's Mine Action Agency cleared 35 areas, totaling 1,277,000 square meters, and removed over 38,055 unexploded ordnances. Despite five casualties during operations, the agency conducted awareness campaigns for over 16,800 citizens and trained more than 50 Peshmerga officers.
???? Iraq: Duhok clears over 540,000 square meters of explosives in 2024
In 2024, Duhok's General Directorate for Mine Affairs cleared over 540,000 square meters of land, removing 116 anti-personnel mines, 14 anti-tank mines, and 5,938 unexploded ordnances. Despite these efforts, 40% of Duhok's land still requires demining.
???? Lebanon: Demining Resumes in Lebanon: – We’re seeing a huge level of destruction all around
The recent war in Lebanon has left a trail of devastation, displaced millions and caused widespread destruction. Even as the ceasefire holds, the threat of unexploded ordnance continues to loom over the country, particularly in the south. Amidst the ruins, the Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp (NPA) has resumed its crucial work of clearing explosive hazards and establishing the extent of new contamination, offering a glimmer of hope for a return to normalcy.
???? Libyan authorities destroy 2 tons of explosive war remnants
Libyan authorities have safely destroyed two tons of explosive remnants of war in Misurata, 200 km east of Tripoli. The explosives, collected over several months from central Libya, were disposed of in the Karakeem district.
???? Malaysia: Tourists welcome back at Sibuan from Wednesday once WWII bomb debris cleared
Sibuan island will re-open to the public on Wednesday, once authorities have cleared remnants from a leftover World War II bomb found on Tuesday last week. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew said the police, Sabah Parks, and other agencies will remove debris from the controlled detonation on Saturday.
???? Palau: Unexploded WWII bombs plague Palau amid US military build-up
Palau's Peleliu Island remains heavily contaminated with unexploded World War II ordnance, disrupting traditional agriculture and posing ongoing risks to residents. Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp is actively engaged in clearing these munitions to ensure community safety.
???? Syria: The Importance of Sustained Support for Mine Action in Syria
ITF Enhancing Human Security , with funding from France and Slovenia, cleared over 1.5 million square meters of land contaminated with explosive remnants of war in Northeast Syria between August 2023 and October 2024. They also provided risk education to over 12,000 residents.
???? Ukraine: The Dangerous Work of Clearing Russia’s Deadly Mines from Ukrainian Lands
The HALO Trust is actively engaged in demining efforts in Ukraine, focusing on areas like Kharkiv contaminated with Russian-laid mines, including the deadly OZM-72 antipersonnel mines. Despite using advanced equipment, vast regions remain hazardous, posing significant risks to civilians and hindering agricultural activities. The demining process is expected to be extensive and costly, requiring substantial resources and time to ensure safety.
???? Ukraine’s sappers clear about 30 km2, neutralise over 1,500 explosives in one week
The State Special Transport Service of Ukraine’s Defence Ministry says its sappers cleared 2,767.18 hectares of territory and neutralised 1,557 explosive objects over the past week. According to the Service’s Facebook post, the highest concentration of explosive objects was found in southern Ukraine’s Kherson Oblast, where sappers neutralised 1,159 explosives.
???? Ukraine: Assessing environmental degradation from explosive weapons in southern Ukraine
In their new report “Assessing environmental degradation in southern Ukraine,” Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp , and CEOBS highlight significant pollution, infrastructure damage, and threats to agriculture and ecosystems in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. By documenting the impact of explosive weapons on soil, water, and biodiversity, the report underscores the urgent need for recovery and remediation efforts to protect both human health and the environment.
???? Yemen: KSrelief Clears 639 Mines Through Masam Project in Yemen in One Week
The Saudi Masam Landmine Clearance Project - Yemen, an initiative of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) aimed at clearing Yemen's lands of mines, successfully removed 639 mines in various regions of Yemen during the second week of January 2025. The cleared ordnance included 45 anti-tank mines, 8 anti-personnel mines, 585 unexploded ordnances, and 1 explosive device. Read more here.
???? Zimbabwe: “If these women can do it, why not me?” the women clearing Zimbabwe’s landmines
In Zimbabwe, female deminers like Rumbidzai are challenging gender norms by clearing landmines along the Mozambique border, a legacy of past conflicts. With women comprising about 40% of MAG (Mines Advisory Group) 's team, they have cleared over 8.5 million square metres, nearing a 'mine-free' status.
?? Deminers: Women excavating the explosive remnants of war
Angie Chioko in Zimbabwe and Nika Kokareva in Ukraine work to clear landmines with The HALO Trust and MAG (Mines Advisory Group) , respectively. Landmines in both countries disrupt lives, block resources, and pose dangers to children, with Ukraine now the most mined country globally.
?? Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Leadership Shifts from Turkey to Bulgaria
On 16 January 2025, command of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Group transitioned from Turkey to Bulgaria. Captain 1st Rank Pavlin Petkov assumed leadership from Turkish Navy Admiral Sel?uk Akar during a ceremony in Sofia. This joint initiative by Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria aims to clear drifting mines in the Black Sea, enhancing maritime security and ensuring safe trade routes.
Other EO Finds from Around the Globe:
2. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)
3. Accidents, Survivors, Victim Assistance
???? Cambodia: Two Cambodian deminers killed by anti-tank mine
The two deminers were killed Thursday by "an old brutal hidden killer" while clearing mines in northwestern Oddar Meanchey province, the government's Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) said in a statement.
???? Syria emergency: Four children a day killed or injured by leftover explosives
Syria’s lethal legacy of landmines and other explosives left over from years of conflict has led to the deaths of over 100 children in the last month alone, the UN Children’s Fund ( 联合国儿童基金会 ) said on Tuesday, calling on the international community to urgently support country-wide demining projects.
???? Syria: Bomb-dismantling expert killed in Idlib countryside
An explosive ordnance disposal specialist was killed while attempting to dismantle a landmine of war remnants in the vicinity of Kafr Nubl town near Ma’art Al-Nu’aman in Idlib countryside. Read more here.
???? Syria: 116 children among 301 civilians killed and wounded in explosions in different areas around Syria since fall of Al-Assad regime
Since the announcement of the toppling of the regime president, Bashar Al-Assad, on 8 December 2024, the Syrian Observatory has documented the death of 134 civilians, including 24 children and eight women, and the injury of 167 others, including 98 children and six women, by explosions of old ordnance in different provinces across Syria. Read more here.
???? Ukraine: Two police bomb disposal experts killed in Kherson Oblast during demining
During the disposal of the warhead of an unexploded drone in the village in Kherson Oblast, two bomb disposal experts of the Main Directorate of the National Police of Zaporizhzhia Oblast were tragically killed.
领英推荐
???? Yemen: Annual Mine Action Update 2024
During 2024, the United Nations Mission to Support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) has recorded 61 landmine and Explosive Remnants of War (ERW) related incidents in Hudaydah Governorate. A total of 41 civilians were killed and another 52 were injured.
Other EO Accidents from Around the Globe:
4. Advocacy, Policy, Conventions, Strategies and Standards
???? Cambodia extends mine-free deadline as villager, 2 deminers killed
More than 1,600 square kilometres of contaminated land still needs to be cleared which leaves around a million Cambodians affected by war remnants. Cambodia, which previously aimed to be mine-free by 2025, has extended the goal by five years, Heng Ratana, Director General of the government’s Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), said on Friday.
???? Cambodia: Thuch urges deminers to adhere to technical standards during mine clearance
Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice-President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has urged demining operators to adhere strictly to technical standards during mine clearance operations. This call aims to ensure safety and efficiency in achieving a mine-free Cambodia.
???? Palestine: MAG Statement on the announcement of a ceasefire in Gaza
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) welcomes the Gaza ceasefire and urges all parties to uphold the agreement and allow full humanitarian access. With 90% of Gaza's population displaced and over 60% of homes damaged, unexploded ordnance (UXO) poses a significant risk. Through its partner, Save Youth Futures Society (SYFS), MAG has provided explosive ordnance risk education to over 100,000 people in Gaza. MAG emphasises the need for international support to conduct UXO survey and clearance to facilitate reconstruction and restore services.
???? Ukraine: The Ministry of Internal Affairs revealed the demining strategy of Ukraine for 2025.
Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs has unveiled its 2025 demining strategy, focusing on creating a comprehensive register of areas contaminated with explosive devices. The plan includes developing drones equipped with magnetometers and robotic demining complexes. Currently, over 200 sapper specialists are in training, and seven drones are undergoing testing. The Ministry emphasises that, with the professionalism of its specialists, international support, and innovative technologies, Ukraine aims to restore safety across all liberated communities.
5. Stockpile Destruction, PSSM and Disarmament
6. Research, Innovation, Technology and Market Trends
???? Ukraine: Trembita metal detector can detect mines in harsh conditions, including underwater, delivering valuable advantages
Several models of domestically produced metal detectors have been approved for use in Ukraine’s Security and Defence Forces, demonstrating comparable or even superior performance in certain aspects to their foreign counterparts.
?? Mechanical Mine Clearance System Market Size and Key Insights - 2024
Global Mechanical Mine Clearance System Market is estimated to be valued at USD 50.75 Mn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 67.12 Mn by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2024 to 2031.
7. Mine Action Assistance, Funding and Cooperation
???? Azerbaijan briefs CICA delegation on urgent mine threat in liberated territories
Vugar Suleymanov, Chairman of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA), recently met with a delegation led by Kairat Sarybay, the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). During the meeting, ANAMA provided an in-depth briefing on the scale of the mine problem in Azerbaijan, highlighting the severe challenges posed by landmines in the liberated territories.
???? Cambodia: Queen Mother donates $50K to CMAC for mine action
Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk has donated $50,000 to the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) to use in humanitarian demining action in Cambodia.
???? Cambodian top diplomat urges ARMAC to collaborate closely with Cambodian agencies engaged in mine clearance efforts
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Prak Sokhonn, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, has encouraged the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC) to collaborate closely with Cambodian mine clearance agencies.
???? ???? Cambodia: China vows continued support for Cambodia’s mine action
China has pledged to continue support for mine action and strengthening cooperation with Cambodia while encouraging China’s civil society organisations (CSO) and private sector to continue participation in humanitarian mine action efforts in the Kingdom.
???? ???? Cambodia: CMAC meets with US embassy officials to strengthen demining cooperation
Heng Ratana, Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC), met with a U.S. Department of Defense delegation led by LTC Arianna D. Morell to enhance technical cooperation in demining. Discussions focused on experience sharing, equipment assistance, and human resource capacity building.
???? ???? Syria: MAG calls for increased humanitarian support to Syria at UK parliamentary event
MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has called for more humanitarian support to Syria at a UK parliamentary briefing hosted by the Syria All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). The call for support came as senior MAG representatives met officials from the White Helmets – the Syrian Civil Defence – in Syria to discuss the need for a comprehensive and co-ordinated plan to clear the country of landmines and explosive ordnance.
???? ???? Ukraine: Aviation, maritime security and demining: Ihor Klymenko held negotiations with the Envoy of the President of the French Republic
On 12 January 2025, Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko met with Isabelle Dumont, Advisor to the French President, to discuss cooperation in aviation, maritime security, and demining efforts in Ukraine.
???? ???? Ukraine: The State Emergency Service has received three mine-clearing vehicles from Slovenia for humanitarian demining
The State Emergency Service (DSNS) has received three light-type mine-clearing vehicles, "KOZAK PM-L," purchased with funds provided by the Slovenian Government through the UNITED24 initiative.
???? ???? Ukraine: UN plans to raise USD 2.6 billion to help Ukrainians in 2025
The United Nations plans to raise over USD 2.6 billion in 2025 to assist Ukrainians, focusing on demining, providing drinking water, alternative energy sources, housing restoration, and business development programmes.
8. Other News
???? Cambodia: Dog training, reducing mine risk on the agenda for CMAC, police
The General Commissariat of National Police and the Cambodian Mine Action Centre (CMAC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in dog handler technical training and mine risk reduction activities. The pact aims to provide technical training and dogs for detecting drug trafficking and enhancing security efforts.
Video
The Syrian Observatory provided a platform for citizens talk about the spread of war remnants left by Iranian militias among civilian homes in the seven villages in the countryside of Deir ez-Zor (video in Arabic).
Upcoming Events, Courses & Trainings
There are a number of interesting events for the mine action sector in the coming months, and some of the deadlines are approaching quickly.
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Lead EOD/UXO Specialist at Worley
1 个月Very helpful thank you
Weapon Contamination Team Leader/Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist
1 个月Stuart Gardner William Carmichael MIExpE