CISR News

Persisting Challenges in Demining in Post-Conflict Areas
An anti-personnel mine is easily laid or merely strewn across battlefield gaps to restrict enemy movement. Mankind over the years has suffered very extensively due to anti-personnel mines with casualties.
Child Casualties from Houthi Landmines Increase Eight-Fold in Yemen
Despite a year of calm in Yemen, the research said child casualties from Houthi landmines increased during the April to October 2022 truce in the country.
Documentary Photographer Giles Duley to Speak on JMU Campus
Giles Duley, internationally-recognized documentary photographer and UN Global Advocate for Disability in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations, will speak for CISR's Global Humanitarian Week event this Thursday.
Unexploded Rockets, Mines, and Grenades: Inside the Hunt to Destroy Lethal Ordnance in Ukraine
Throughout Ukraine’s fields, grasslands, and forests, it’s the job of a few hundred de-mining experts to locate, secure, and disable or destroy these hazards.
Protecting the Innocent, the Land, and the Body: Traditional Sources of Restraint on Landmine Use
What drives restraint in armed conflict? Recent studies have examined different factors contributing to restraint behaviour, mainly focusing on strategic incentives such as seeking legitimacy from global audiences.
Civilians in Northern Myanmar Face Growing Risks From Landmines
Chin Human Rights Organization says at least 11 civilians have been killed and 20 others injured by landmines since Myanmar’s February 2021 coup.
OSCE and Spain’s Guardia Civil Build Capacity to Prevent Illicit Trafficking of SALW
The OSCE and Spain’s Guardia Civil launched a specialized canine team instructor course for eight Ukrainian specialists at the Guardia Civil’s Dog Training Centre (CADEPE) on 21 March 2023.
Cambodia to Host Int’l Mine Victim Conference
Cambodia announced that it will host an international victim assistance conference this October for survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, focusing on the context of disability rights.
Civilians Surrender Illegal Small Arms in the Philippines
The Philippine military collected nearly three dozen illegal weapons from civilians in the Muslim province of Basilan, security officials said Tuesday.
Metal-Detecting Drone Could Autonomously Find Landmines
In development at the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, a novel combination of a metal detector and a drone with five degrees of freedom may provide a viable solution to remote landmine detection.
Before Power Is Back, Deminers Must Make Ukraine’s War Repairs Safe
Clearing the whole of eastern Ukraine of explosive hazards will take years, but as the country tries to restore power, water and heating to towns and villages, de-mining teams have to prioritize.
Iraq War 20 Years On: The Most Mined Country on Earth and Clearance Efforts Will Take ‘Decades’, Experts Warn
A recorded 1,733 square kilometres of land in Iraq was contaminated with landmines at the end of 2021, making it most heavily mined country in the world as clearance efforts are still “decades” away from completion.
OSCE Organizes Explosive Ordnance Disposal Level 3 Course in Dushanbe for Central Asian Demining Specialists
Together with the Tajikistan Ministry of Defence and U.S. Army Central, OSCE's recent EOD level 3 course in Dushanbe covers a wide range of topics from EOD safety to demolition range management.
CMAC, JICA to Cooperate on Landmine Clearance
Under the South-South Cooperation, CMAC shares experience, knowledge, and skills in demining not only with Ukraine but also with many countries such as Angola, Iraq, Laos, and Colombia.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 Participates in Humanitarian Mine Action in Croatia
HMA is a Department of State-led initiative to certify U.S. and partner EOD teams in HMA and increase partner nation capabilities in the areas of de-mining, ordnance and explosive stockpile management, and EOD training.
Demining Ukraine: “The Most Important Thing Is to Protect People”
Ukraine is the most mine-contaminated country on earth. Red warning signs bearing skulls and crossbones litter the fields and forests of liberated territories, whilst civilians are still falling prey to explosives long a
Ukraine Calls for Equipment From Partners to Help Demine Some 2.5 Million Hectares of Land
In Ukraine, Kherson farmers can only hope to sow 30 percent of agricultural land due to unexploded ordnance and landmines. Combat engineers, at the request of the locals, are on hand to demine the land.
Mainstreaming Gender in Albanian Police Through the OSCE's SALW Project
Through OSCE, female police officers in Albania are assisting the national authorities to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.
Libya’s First Female Deminers Must Deal With More Than Bombs
The first women to clear dangerous explosives in Libya are part of an international trend for gender equity in the job.
Two Thai Park Rangers Injured in Landmine Explosion in Chiang Mai Forest
Two park rangers were injured by what is believed to have been a landmine while their five-man team was patrolling in the Pha Daeng National Park in Chai Prakan district of Chiang Mai.
200 Units of Erw’s and Ammunitions Cleared From Village in Kratie Province
The Mine clearing unit of the National Center for the Management of Peacekeeping Forces and Demining (NPMEC) are hard at work in clearing mines in Thnal village, Svay Chres commune, Snuol district, Kratie province.
US Donates Vehicles, Equipment for UXO Clearance in Laos
The US government has provided new vehicles and equipment to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme for UXO clearance operations, worth at US$1.3 million (21 billion kip).
In Kosovo, Ukrainians Are Trained in Demining
In Pec, in western Kosovo, at the foot of the snow-capped Dinaric Alps, lit by the February sun, the setting is breathtaking. However, Aleksandar (first name changed at his request) is not there to enjoy the view.
Three Killed in Landmine Explosion in Syria
At least three civilians were killed when a landmine planted by radicals exploded in a residential neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, the capital of the eastern Syrian province of the same name.
Invisible Heroes: How Deminers in Ukraine Tackle Dangerous Fields on Liberated Lands
Every day, deminers in Ukraine venture out into the unknown: each step in booby-trapped fields left over from Russian occupation could be their last. But it’s a laborious job that needs to be done, says The Halo Trust.
Mine Clearing, the Work of Heroes
Since the late 1980s, the mine-clearing community has been working hard to protect citizens in communities contaminated by landmines. Today, Ukraine is now in acute need of mines and unexploded ordinance clearance.
In Liberated Ukraine City, Civilians Still Pay Price of War
Izium is a gruesome reminder of the human cost of the war in Ukraine. Six months after it was liberated, civilian residents say they continue to pay the price.
Small Arms Control as a Precondition for Peace, Security and Development
In post-conflict contexts, managing stocks of arms can be key to preventing the resurgence of violence. Effective and transparent control over small arms contributes to peacebuilding, community security and development.
Border Control Critical in Efforts to Combat Proliferation of Small Arms
Small arms and light weapons pose an enormous and ever growing peace and security threat particularly when they end up in the wrong hands
Ukraine May Need 70 Years to Demine Territories
Considering the scale of mine pollution, demining efforts may last up to 70 years. Therefore, to solve this problem as soon as possible, strong support from international partners is needed.
From the Battlefield to the UN
Giles Duley discusses his new role as the United Nations’ first global advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding situations.
Preventing and Eradicating the Deadly Legacy of Explosive Remnants of War
In this post, ICRC Legal Adviser Eirini Giorgou lays out the obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) for States and non-State armed groups with regard to explosive remnants of war.
Government Declares Kampong Chhnang Mine-Free
The senior minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia stated that, as of February, a total of more than 7 square kilometers of suspected landmines and unexploded ordnance had been cleared in Kampong Chhnang province.
Soils of War: The Toxic Legacy for Ukraine’s Breadbasket
Using the samples and satellite imagery, scientists estimated that the war in Ukraine has degraded at least 10.5 million hectares of agricultural land across the country.
8 Killed, Over 40 Injured in ISIS Landmine Blast in Deir Ez-Zor
SOHR has documented the death of 51 civilians due to explosions of old landmines, unexploded shells and bombs across Syria since early 2023.
Syria Landmine Blasts Kill 10 Truffle Hunters
Landmines planted by jihadists killed 10 civilians in central Syria on Monday, state media reported, in the latest in a wave of deadly incidents involving truffle hunters.
Russian Land Mines in Ukraine Threaten Food Security Across the Globe
Due to extensive explosive contamination "25 percent of the Ukrainian rural population involved in agriculture stopped their activities or reduced their output due to the war." reported the UNFAO.
Ukraine is Becoming the World’s Largest Minefield
Ukraine is fast becoming the biggest minefield on the planet and while military action often takes center stage, another type of war is going on in Ukraine being “fought” by personnel from the State Emergency Service.
Colombian Navy’s Demining Work Brings Hope
The Colombian Navy's Demining Battalion and Amphibious Engineers, through the Humanitarian Demining Company, destroyed explosive devices, and cleared in Sucre.
MAG Awarded $8 Million for Ukraine Operations
MAG has been active in Ukraine since April 2022, delivering risk education to Ukrainian communities at risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance through a partnership with the Ukrainian Deminers’ Association.
Three UN Peacekeepers Killed in Mali Blast
Three UN peacekeepers were killed on Tuesday when their convoy struck a roadside bomb in jihadist-torn central Mali.
Ukraine Faces Massive Explosive Contamination One Year Into Conflict
The conflict in Ukraine is affecting the lives of millions of people and continues to fuel a major humanitarian crisis. Since February 2022, the situation throughout the country deteriorated drastically.
Civilians Face Heightened Danger From Colombia’s Landmines
New violence in Colombia’s decades-long conflict has impeded demining efforts, putting rural populations at risk of improvised landmines.
Buckingham: WW2 Grenade Found in River Detonated in Controlled Explosion
A suspected World War Two device found in a river has been detonated by bomb disposal experts.
Government to Consider Expanded Role for Defence Forces in EU Ukraine Mission
Cabinet will examine proposal to approve deployment of up to 30 personnel to EU’s military assistance mission in support of Ukraine.
Russian Land Mines Disguised as Toys Target the Children of Ukraine
The calculated cruelty, part of a campaign to demoralize the Ukrainian population, must not stand.
Nigerian Police Force Hands Over Various Arms, Ammunition to NCCSALW
The National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) received 3,980 weapons of various calibres on Thursday under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force
Landmine Charity Calls for a ‘Marshall Plan For Mines’ for Ukraine
Ukraine urgently needs a 'Marshall Plan for Mines' after 12 months of war and mine laying has left the country with the biggest explosives problem of the 21st century.
German President Observes Mine Clearance in Siem Reap
Germany president visits landmine-affected Siem Reap province, pledges German support to Cambodian clearance efforts and observes clearance operations by The HALO Trust.
Several Landmines Explode Amid Forest Fire Along Line of Contact in Poonch
A forest fire in India's Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district causes multiple landmines to detonate and explode.
Humanitarian Demining Center Provides Aid to Syrian Settlements Affected by Earthquake
A team of the Armenian Humanitarian Center for De-mining and Expertise is working together with Syrian engineer-seismologists in Aleppo for evaluating and documenting the state of damaged buildings.
MPs Back Plan to Clear Croatia of Landmines by 2026
Lawmakers in the Croatian parliament backed the proposed National Mine Action Programme, which is intended to see the country completely cleared of landmines from the 1990s war by March 2026.
Australian Navy Divers Called In to Remove Unexploded Ordnance
Navy divers called in to remove a Mark 82 general purpose bomb found in the Jervis Bay Marine Park (Australia) by a recreational diver.
Ukraine to Create Centralized Demining Hub
Serving as an analytical center, the "Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Demining" will help improve coordination between all these actors and help to attract all possible resources for demining.
From the India Today Archives: Living Under the Shadow of Landmines
Landmines laid by the army have killed or injured hundreds of civilians in areas bordering Pakistan. Time for a cost-benefit analysis?
Ukraine War: Halo Trust Landmine Charity to Double Workforce
The world's largest land mine charity, the Halo Trust, is doubling its workforce in Ukraine this year to clear areas of explosives.
Despite Howard Buffett’s Help, Land Mines Litter Ukraine And Threaten Spring Planting
Tens of millions around the world rely on the country for grain and cooking oil, but clearing live explosives from Russia’s unprovoked invasion is expensive … it’s a process that can take months.
Unexploded Artillery Shell Unearthed at Gettysburg
Steven Brann was out Wednesday on the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania, sweeping the ground with a metal detector ahead of crews that are rehabilitating a famous part of the Civil War park.
Climate Change and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Nineveh Plains of Iraq
A recent SIPRI report, informed by field research with communities in the Nineveh Plains region, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the linkages between climate change and post-conflict reconstruction.
Japan Contributes to United Nations (UN) Mine Action Service for Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace-building in Sudan
Contributing to humanitian mine action efforts in Sudan, Japan contributes $980K to UNMAS to clear 70,000 square meters and 30 kilometers of roads of mines and explosive remnants of war.
$700M Needed to Clear Border Areas of Cluster Bombs
Cambodian authorities need about $700 million to clear cluster bombs along the borders which still pose danger to people who go to collect forestry products for a living.
Yemen: Frightening Uptick in Victims of Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War
Reports from international and local organizations indicate that Yemen witnessed the largest landmine laying operation since the end of World War II, resulting in a frightening uptick in landmine casualties.
Young Boy Injured in Poonch Landmine Explosion
A 14-year-old boy was injured in an accidental landmine blast in Poonch district of Jammu province on Monday.
Over Six Hundred U.S.-Made Weapons Destroyed in Cambodia
Cambodia is making rapid progress on the demining front, with three more provinces to be declared mine-free in February and March. The new victory comes thanks to the efforts of de-mining technicians and authorities.
Four Killed, Two Seriously Injured After a Car Hitting Landmine in Loikaw
A white IPSUM car was hit by a landmine on the road passing Zayathpyu village. Four people in the car died on the spot, another two were seriously injured.
Plans Afoot to Demine Ukrainian Farms
U.N. Officials met with representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry for Agrarian Policy and Food to discuss demining Ukrainian farmland.
Three More Provinces Soon to Be Declared Mine-Free
Cambodia is making rapid progress on the demining front, with three more provinces to be declared mine-free in February and March. The new victory comes thanks to the efforts of de-mining technicians and authorities.
Ukraine to Receive Route Opening Mine Plows
The Russia-Ukraine war has seen an estimated 40 percent of Ukrainian territory riddled with landmines, making it perhaps the most mined country in the world.
Ukraine Amputees Prepare to Go Back to War
We meet two men on their lunch break from demining roads and neighborhoods. Both are missing the lower half of one leg from mine explosions on the job, and six of their teammates have also recently lost limbs.
Cluster Munitions Remnants are an Open-Ended Threat to the Lives of Syria’s Future Generations
A total of 1,435 Syrian citizens, including 518 children, killed by cluster munitions and their remnants used by the Syrian regime and Russia.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration in Ethiopia: What to Expect
DDR programs are generally thought to prevent conflict recurrence, but the global evidence to support this claim is thin. Yet donors continue to fund DDR projects that may not be able to deliver the proposed outcomes.
GCS-100 Primed for Ukraine Relief
GCS recently delivered a series of remote-controlled demining systems to a police barracks in Zhytomyr, west of Kyiv. This comes after the Federal Republic of Germany donated a set of GCS-100s to fast-track clearance.
To Rebuild Ukraine, the World Needs to Help Clear the Land From Mines
Since the start of the war on February 24, 2022, hospitals, schools, grocery stores, theatres, shopping malls, essential services, homes and playgrounds across Ukraine have all been targets of Russian bombs or missiles.
CMAC Embarks on Demining Efforts in Five Provinces
The Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC) has deployed several groups of demining personnel to five provinces to embark on a new mine clearing effort.
Sniffer Dogs to Swoop Down on Four Localities for "Mine-Free 2025"
CMAC demining teams prepare for operations under the ‘Mine-Free Cambodia 2025’ project, using sniffer dogs to support clearance.
Colombian Military Man Killed by ELN Landmine Detonation
Lance Corporal Helmuth Edison Montes died after the detonation of a landmine in Vegas de Segovia, in the municipality of Zaragoza, department of Antioquia, Colombia.
Ukraine War: How Hidden Landmines, Tripwires and Booby Traps Pose Lethal Danger for Years to Come
More than 40% of Ukraine is now mined, according to one estimate. Sky News speaks to an expert about why landmines are used and how difficult they are to clean up.
All-Women Police Unit From Egypt Breaks New Ground in Mine Action in Central Mali
For the first time in the history of UN peacekeeping operations, an all-women police unit from Egypt has joined MINUSMA, the UN Peacekeeping mission in Mali.
Over Explosive Ordnances Safely Destroyed near Erbil
The Kurdistan Mine Action Agency said on Tuesday that its teams safely destroyed more than 100 explosive ordnances which had been found in Mergasor district of Erbil province.
Ukraine Receives Military Equipment to Counter Russia’s Expected Surge in Landmine Usage
Historically, the Russian/Soviet military extensively used anti-tank and anti-personnel mines during armed conflicts. In Ukraine, Russian use of landmines is likely escalate as they try to halt Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine Faces Decades Long Humanitarian Challenge, Demining the Areas Once Occupied by Russian Troops
The government of Ukraine estimates that 160,000 square kilometers of land may be exposed to contamination with land mines, according to a U.S. State Department statement.
Increasing the Capacity for Explosive Ordnance Disposal in Ukraine
Norway will provide a smaller number of instructors to an Icelandic initiative to build up the Ukrainian capacity to Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) as training and education of Ukrainian personnel are absolutely centr
Cambodia Optimistic About Achieving 2025 Land Mine-Free Goal
Confident to acheive mine-free status by 2025, First Vice President of the CMAA Ly Thuch requested the U.S. Government to continue supporting mine clearance operations in Cambodia toward the set mine-free goal.
Providing Protection: Japan Committed to Helping Ukraine Demining Efforts
In close cooperation with the Cambodian government, Japan, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), is strongly committed to saving Ukrainian people from vast amounts of mines and unexploded ordnance.
Bozena-5 Helps to Demine the De-occupied Territories of Kharkiv Region
The Bozena-5 demining system is used both in rough terrain and within urban conditions to clear the ground from explosive hazards that remain after hostilities with Russian forces.
Peaky Dippers’ YouTube Video Showing Unexploded Bomb Find in Worcester
THE moment a group of magnet fishing YouTubers pull an unexploded First World War bomb out of the River Severn has been released.
PM, New Thai Envoy Push for Border Demining
Prime Minister Hun Sen and new Thai ambassador Cherdkiat Atthakor have called on the Joint Boundary Commission to have the frontier cleared of landmines.
CEO to Cycle From London to Ukraine in Aid of Landmine Charity
A CEO is to cycle from London to Lviv in Western Ukraine to raise money to help clear landmines in the country.
U.S. Security Cooperation with Ukraine: Conventional Weapons Destruction
From 2004 to 2021, the United States provided more than $77.3 million to clear mines and UXO left by Russia’s forces and proxies in the Donbas, strengthen Ukraine’s demining capacity, and enhancing capacity.
Denmark Supports Explosive Hazards Management Activities in Iraq
The Danish government recently provided 14 million DKK to the United Nations Mine Action Service to develop the humanitarian mine action sector in Iraq.
Cambodian De-miners Begin Training Ukrainians to Clear Landmines Using New Technology
Cambodian landmine clearers, among the world's best after removing the leftovers of nearly three decades of war, have begun training Ukrainians to do the same.
Rebel Conflict in Senegal’s Casamance Region Far From Over
Casamance, a former Portuguese colony with a culture distinct from the rest of Senegal, is the site of Africa's longest-running separatist revolt. But some locals want to move on.
Level Playing Field Needed for People With Disabilities: Jerry White
Nobel laureate Jerry White said that there is a need for creating a level-playing field for people with disabilities, particularly in the business space.
Ukraine Has Largest Minefield In The World, Prime Minister Says
According to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the Russian war in Ukraine has created a minefield of 250,000 square kilometers in size in his country.
For Senegalese Landmine Victims, a Forgotten Conflict Lives On
The 40-year war between Senegal and rebels in its Casamance region has left legacies of landmines with diverse impacts.
Over 50 Hectares of Land Cleared from War-Time UXO in Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam
More than 50 hectares of land in A Luoi district in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue have been cleared from war-left unexploded ordnance (UXO), giving more farming land for local residents.
UXO Lao’s Officers Get Trained on Operational Management in Cambodia
With support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, UXO Lao and CMAC participate in an exchange programme on operational management in Cambodia.
Making Solomon Islands Safe 80 Years After the Battle for the Pacific
The HALO Trust, with funding from the United States, will locate and mark World War II legacy UXO while providing essential training and capacity building to the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force EOD unit.
Workers Dig Up Uxo at Battambang’s Independence Monument Site
Cambodia Mine Action Centre officials respond to the unearthing of an item of UXO at the Independence Monument site in Battambang city, promptly removing it.
Demining Employing Over 700 Women
A report by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority notes that many women are now taking on leadership roles with Cambodia’s institutions and its partner demining institutions.
Cambodia to Train Ukraine Land Mine Clearance Personnel: Hun Sen
Asian countries including Japan attend Paris conference on solidarity, reconstruction. Cambodia is painfully familiar with the long-lasting, devastating effects of land mines.
They Survived Russian Occupation, Then Got Hit by Explosives Left Behind
In Ukraine, mines and unexploded ordnance are tormenting civilians who, often after surviving the horrors of prolonged Russian occupation, are wounded or killed in explosions after the Russians retreat.
State Administrative Council Food Trucks Were Allegedly Hit by Landmines Set Up by the Arakan Army in Myanmar
Landmine detonates in Rakhine State, Myanmar, impacting State Administrative Council military vehicles and killing an unknown number of soldiers.
Demining Ukraine: A Pre-requisite for Recovery: Michael Tirre Remarks before the U.S. Helsinki Commission
Michael Tirre updated U.S. Helsinki Commission on the deadly landmines/UXO threats facing communities across Ukraine creating of the largest UXO hazards anywhere since WWII.
Ukraine Gains U.S. Support Tackling Vast Task of Removing Landmines
As the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance in Ukraine is the biggest of its kind since World War II, ongoing U.S. support for explosive hazards clearance builds Ukrainian demining capacity.
Tackling Security Sector Connivance in Proliferation of Small Arms, Light Weapons
A convoy of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) on Tuesday survived a landmine explosion in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
UN Mission Convoy Survives Landmine Explosion in Yemen
A convoy of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) on Tuesday survived a landmine explosion in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
Draganfly Launches New Flight Facility for Land Mine and Anomaly Detection Protocols
In partnership with Coldchain Delivery Systems, Draganfly Inc. will launch a testing site focused on protocols for anomaly detection to aid in the identification of mines and unexploded ordinance as well as UAV Delivery.
Dating Newly Produced Russian Missiles Used in Kyiv Attacks
A CAR field investigation team documented remnants of two of the missiles that hit Kyiv. The remnants bore marks indicating that the weapons were produced between July and September and between October and November 2022.
Mr. Giles Duley Appointed as the First United Nations Global Advocate for Persons With Disabilities in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations
The UN appointed Mr. Giles Duley on 3 December, the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as the first United Nations Global Advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding situations.
Patrick Leahy Statement On The 25th Anniversary Of The Ottawa Landmine Treaty
Patrick Leahy statement commending the Biden Administration for restoring the policy on anti-personnel mines that was put in place during the Obama Administration. That was an important step.
New Landmine Detector With Export Competitiveness Ready for Field Use
South Korea has a new homemade landmine detector that's is ready for export and field use, and is capable of finding anti-personnel metal and non-metallic landmines.
Fenix Insight's Colin King Visits JMU for Research Study
Colin King of Fenix Insight visits JMU for project meetings related to the upcoming CISR/Fenix joint study on the aging of underwater munitions for DoD’s SERDP program.
Landmines Haunt Zimbabwe 40 Years After War
Dense belts of land mines — some with about 5,500 per square kilometer — on Zimbabwe’s border with Mozambique have hindered development in marginalized communities.
U.S., Thai Military Commence Humanitarian Mine Action Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training in Kingdom of Thailand
HMA is an ongoing program between the U.S. and Kingdom of Thailand to provide training in order to build partner capacity in safe disposal of existing landmines and explosive remnants of war.
ECOWAS National Commissions on Small Arms and Light Arms meet
The National Commissions responsible for controlling and combating the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons (SALW) in the ECOWAS region met in the Togolese capital, Lomé on the Annual Coordination Meetin
$400 Million in Additional U.S. Military Assistance for Ukraine
The United States continues to support Ukraine with additional military assistance to help defend itself, including from the Kremlin’s relentless attacks on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure.
Syria: Cluster Munitions Used in November 6 Attacks
Attacks by the Syrian-Russian military alliance on November 6, 2022, used banned cluster munitions on four camps for internally displaced people, Human Rights Watch said today.
Russia, Myanmar Only States to Use Landmines in 2022, Report Says
Russia and Myanmar are the only two countries to have used antipersonnel mines this year, according to the latest annual report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL).
Myanmar Junta Ramps Up Landmine Use
Myanmar’s forces have used landmines since 1999, but new use by the junta has surged since the February 2021 coup, according to the Landmine Monitor Report 2022, released last week.
Land Mines Continue to Haunt Women, Children in Yemen
Yemeni women and children continue to die from land mines planted by Houthi rebels across the country.
Dozens of Countries to Sign Deal to Curb Bombing in Urban Areas
Campaigners hope agreement will change military norms but countries including Russia, Israel and China are not expected to sign.
Carrier Strike Group Ten Participates in Humanitarian Mine Action in Split, Croatia
HMA is a Department of State-led initiative to increase partner nation capabilities in the areas of de-mining, stockpile management, and EOD training.
Clearing Afghanistan’s Deadly Legacy of War
In Afghanistan, deadly, rusting legacies of war are embedded in the walls of homes, lodged in roadside ditches, and half-buried in remote hillsides.
Training Manual On Gender-Mainstreaming Small Arms Control
There is recognition that, in implementing small arms regulatory instruments and other frameworks on SALW, states must take into account the gender dimension that has proven to be vital to the implementation processes.
Zelenskyy Visits Recaptured Kherson as Alleged War Crimes Emerge; Landmines Pose a Danger to Liberators
The newly liberated city of Kherson in southern Ukraine over the last few days, the hard work to restore power and water supplies in the region and to clear landmines left by retreating Russian forces is now beginning.
Trudeau Pledges $990K for Clearing Landmines, Cluster Bombs in Cambodia, Laos
Trudeau pledges $990K for clearing landmines, cluster bombs in Cambodia, Laos to help clean up explosives left over from civil wars, Vietnam War.
Demining Agency Clears Minefields Near Choman
The agency’s demining teams of DE1 and Mechanical in cooperation with Slovenian Enhancing Human Security (ITF), destroyed 22 mines and 20 Unexploded Ordnances (UXO) in the Karizan minefield.
Arms Transfer And SALW Controls In Middle East And North Africa: Challenges And State Of Play – Analysis
Conventional arms transfer controls and small arms and light weapons (SALW) controls could be strengthened in order to help to address security challenges and build confidence in the Middle East and North Africa.
‘Resilience Is a Consequence of Difficulties You Go Through’: Photojournalist Landmine Survivor Inspires North-East Businesses
Fresh from a 42-hour journey from Donbas, Ukraine, Giles Duley launched his keynote speech in Aberdeen with a “funny story about getting blown up in Afghanistan”.
Improvised Anti-Vehicle Land Mines (IAVMs) in Mexico: Cartel Emergent Weaponry Use
The use of anti-vehicle land mines by criminal cartels is now part of Mexico’s violent criminal landscape. This phase of improvised explosive devices represents an escalation of IED use against state forces and rivals.
Inside the Painstaking Search for Five Million Decaying Bombs in Cambodia
The mine action community in Cambodia has so far cleared over one million mines, according to HALO charity's deputy program manager, Claire Fearn.
UN: 343 Civilians Killed or Injured as a Result of Landmines
Since the April truce, landmines and explosive ordnances have become the leading fatalities of children in Yemen.
Two Farmers Killed by Landmines in Kaduna
Two farmers were killed on Thursday in Chikun Local Government after the vehicle they were travelling in drove over a landmine suspected to have been planted by terrorists operating in the Kabrasha area.
Cambodia to Train Ukrainians on Removing UXO Strewn by Russians
Cambodia will send deminers to train Ukrainians on clearing vast amounts of UXOs strewn by Russian forces amid the ongoing war.
United States Launches $47.6 Million Demining Training Project in Ukraine
On September 30, the Department awarded $47.6 million to Tetra Tech, Inc. of Pasadena, California to provide urgent humanitarian demining assistance to Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal war of aggression.
UXO on Fehmarnbelt Tunnel Route Cleared in Controlled Explosion
An anti-submarine warfare weapon from the Second World War that was found near the alignment of the Fehmarnbelt Tunnel has been diffused.
Shell Explosion in Southern Afghanistan Kills Child
A mortar shell explosion in the provincial capital of Helmand in southern Afghanistan, Lashkargah city, resulted in the fatality of a child, and the injury of another child, local Taliban officials said.
U.S. Plan to Counter Illicit Diversion of Certain Advanced Conventional Weapons in Eastern Europe
The United States’ priority is to ensure that Ukraine has the weapons it needs to defend its territory against Russia’s further invasion.
Prevent Civilian Harm From Explosive Weapons, Says HRW
Civilians account for the vast majority of people who are killed or injured when explosive weapons, such as aerial bombs, rockets, artillery and mortar projectiles, and missiles, are used in populated areas.
Two UN Employees Killed in Landmine Explosion in Iraq
Two Iraqi members of a team working for the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) were killed and a third was injured on Monday in an incident at an explosive ordnance clearance site at Shatt Al-Arab near Basra.
The Enduring Trauma Caused by Landmines
They are the legacy of every war: Mines and "IEDs", short for "improvised explosive devices." Years after being buried, they continue to serve their insidious purpose, killing and maiming people.
Three Children Killed in Landmine Explosion in Central Yemen
Three Yemeni children were killed in a landmine explosion in central Bayda province, a local NGO said Saturday.
Landmines and Gunfire Claim Three Civilian Lives, Injure at Least 23 in Arakan Conflict Last Month
At least three civilians were killed and 23 others were injured due to landmines and shooting incidents in Arakan State and Chin State’s Paletwa Township last month.
Ukrainian Deminers Remove Deadly Threats to Civilians
Beside an abandoned Russian military camp in eastern Ukraine, the body of a man lay decomposing in the grass — a civilian who had fallen victim to a tripwire land mine set by retreating Russian forces.
Indonesia: Peacekeeping Exercise Garuda Canti Dharma II Helps Partners Develop Critical Capabilities
U.S. and Australian Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians train Indonesian Army soldiers on EOD techniques and procedures during Garuda Canti Dharma II.
Over 60,000 Sqm Cleared of Mines, Explosive Ordnances Near Erbil
The Kurdistan Mine Action Agency has cleared more than 60,000 square meters of land mines, explosive ordnances and war remnants in a rural area of Choman district, Erbil province.
Grenades and Land Mines - Why Ecuador Remains a Storehouse for Ex-FARC Mafia
Military-grade weaponry, including caches of grenades and landmines, continue to be found in northern Ecuador, showing how Colombian armed groups continue to use the country as a strategic outpost.
The Deadly Remnants of a War That Won’t Go Away
Eighty years after the end of World War II, leftover munitions have been dubbed the problem that will never be fixed.
The Women Demining Artsakh
Demining is stereotyped as a masculine profession, but Asryan confidently shrugs this off. She says that HALO needs strong women. When adapting to the job, the main challenge for her was not physical labor.
Landmine Blast Leaves Two Yemeni Civilians Killed in Nihm
Two Yemeni civilians were killed on Sunday when a Houthi-laid landmine exploded in Nihm district, northeast Sana'a City, local sources said. The mine blew up in Barran village.
Ukrainian Teams Clear Mines Around Liberated City Of Lyman
Ukrainian authorities are working quickly to find, identify, and, when possible, remove mines and unexploded ordnance from the newly liberated area of Lyman as the town's residents struggle to get back to normal.
The Time Has Come for Digital Explosive Ordnance Risk Education
The increase in the number of civilian casualties from landmines and other explosive ordnance (EO) in recent years has driven the demand for new and innovative ways to provide communities with risk education.
Mapping Unexploded Ordnance in Syria: Harnessing the Power of Open-Source Information
To begin the process of clearing these ERW, desk studies/non-technical studies can be utilized to initially assess the concentration and distribution of explosive weapons across a conflict zones.
How Can Mine Action Improve the Management of Free from Explosive (FFE) Items?
Assessing and making items free from explosive (FFE) are among the most dangerous things we do in mine action and are perhaps the least regulated.
The Deadly Legacy of World War II in Alaska
Large quantities of UXO remain from the fourteen-month Aleutian Islands campaign during WWII to recapture the Aleutian Islands.
Gender and Operational Efficiency
The aim of the study is to address stereotypes and unproven assumptions that may still exist in the mine action sector regarding women’s performance and availability to work in certain field-based roles.
Clear then Grow: Integrating Mine Action with Food Security in Northeast Syria
Aiming to find linkages between clearance efforts and food security , this article, however, looks at the operationalization of these links through an integrated mine action and agriculture.
A Brief History of Mine Detection Dogs
A brief history of the contribution of MDDs over the past eight decades can help us put their performance into perspective and understand where they can add significant value, while also appreciating their limitations.
Open-Source Research and Mapping of Explosive Ordnance Contamination in Ukraine
The HALO Trust (HALO) has successfully harnessed open-source research to better plan and conduct survey, clearance operations, and explosive ordnance risk education (EORE) across Ukraine.
Explosive Weapons Use and the Environmental Consequences: Mapping Environmental Incidents in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has highlighted the heavy toll on the environment, and the risk of significant environmental harm.
Ukraine: Through the eyes of the people
During my time in Ukraine, I found many examples of makeshift signs warning returning civilians that strategically planted explosive weapons were somewhere inside or nearby.
A note from the interim director of CISR
Our thoughts are with those in Syria and Turkey following the catastrophic earthquakes, and with those in Ukraine who continue to face the devastating impacts of war.
Soccer Saves Lives: New U.S. Effort in Ukraine to Reduce Risk of Explosive Hazards
Ukrainian coaches show training materials to help kids recognize, avoid, and report dangerous unexploded munitions to local authorities (Spirit of Soccer photo)
Somali TV Reporter Killed by Landmine While Covering Counter-Terrorist Operation
The death of a young Somali TV reporter, who was killed by a landmine while covering a counter-terrorist operation by the security forces last week, highlights the need for more effective measures to protect journalists.
Myanmar-Laid Landmines Injuring Bangladeshis Crossing Border
A second Bangladeshi man got seriously injured in less than three weeks due to a landmine explosion near the Myanmar border along Naikhongchhari in Bandarban.
Landmines Took Their Limbs. Soccer Brought Them Glory
Angola’s amputee soccer team—the reigning Amputee World Cup champions—has inspired a nation still recovering from a 27-year war.
The World Needs a New Solution to Its Landmine Problem
A landmine-free world should be the United Nations’ 18th Sustainable Development Goal.
Investing in the Future of the Pacific: U.S. Assistance Continues to Address WWII-era Explosive Hazards
Seventy-seven years after the end of World War II, Pacific Island nations still face the daunting challenge of post-war impacts: unexploded ordnance (UXO) and abandoned munitions littered throughout the vast expanse of t
As the World Moves On, Myanmar Confronts a Mounting, Hidden Toll
Thousands have been injured or killed since the military takeover, but the human costs go well beyond that
Landmines, Cluster Bombs Remain a Deadly Threat in Syria
The front lines of northwest Syria may be quieter, but death still waits for civilians from the bombs left behind.
7,000 Illegal Guns Destroyed
A total of 7,000 illegal guns were destroyed at the T&T Police Service Academy in St James on Monday, as part of an exercise to destroy confiscated, unserviceable and obsolete weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Demining Remains Priority, Says PM
Prime Minister Hun Sen instructed local authorities, demining operators and citizens to cooperate to safely eliminate the scourge of landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW).
Truce or Not, Landmines Continue to Kill Civilians Across Yemen
Since April, a tenuous truce has brought a pause to the fighting between Houthi rebels and pro-government forces in Yemen. However, truce or not, hundreds of civilians have been killed during this period by landmines.
Front Line Farming: Bombs Disrupt Critical Ukraine Industry
An unexploded rocket sticks out of a field, and another is embedded in the ground of the farm compound. Workers found a cluster bomb while clearing weeds, and there’s a gaping hole in the roof of the shrapnel-scarred liv
Ukrainian Teenager Who Built Landmine-Detecting Drone While Sheltering in Basement Wins Global Prize
Igor Klymenko, 17, won the Global Student Prize for his drone that can spot mines without setting them off, potentially saving lives
PM Orders Review of Legal Enforcement Over UXO Clearance
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Ministry of National Defence to work closely with ministries, agencies and localities to review the enforcement of legal regulations related to post-war bomb and mine clearanc
Bangladeshi ‘About to Lose’ Leg After ‘Landmine Blast’ at Border
After his left leg was badly injured in a blast of what he said was a landmine along the border with Myanmar in Bandarban’s Naikkyangchhari, Onyo Thoai Tanchangya was admitted to Chattogram Medical College Hospital.
Diplomats Pledge a Mine-Free Zimbabwe by 2025
Diplomats have expressed commitment to free Zimbabwe of landmines in the next three years, which will boost economic development through availing additional land which is currently unusable.
Three Civilians Blown up by Landmines as Leaving Liberated Village in Kharkiv Region
Three people were killed and another person was injured in mine explosions in the liberated village of Makarove of the Zolochiv community, Kharkiv region.
Green Beret Braves Farm-Demining Mission
A former U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret with eight combat deployments to Afghanistan has just completed a personal mission to clear farmland of landmines in war-torn Ukraine.
US Under Secretary of State Detonates Wartime Bombs in Vietnam
Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins pressed the button to destroy warheads from the Vietnam War in Quang Tri Province on Friday.
Landmine Blast Wounds UN Peacekeepers in Mali
The UN has said three of its peacekeepers in Mali were wounded on Sunday after their patrol vehicle hit a landmine.
Yemen: Landmines Have Killed Over 400 People Since 2019
More than 400 civilians have been killed in Yemen due to landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other unexploded ordnance across several province since 2019, a local monitoring organization has reported.
To Clear Deadly Land Mines, Science Turns to Drones and Machine Learning
A warm wind blows across an empty field on the outskirts of Pawnee, Okla. A small group of researchers struggle against the stiff wind to set up a pop-up tent for some shade.
Thirty-Five Civilians Killed in Convoy Blast in Burkina Faso
At least 35 civilians have been killed and 37 wounded when a convoy carrying supplies in Burkina Faso’s jihadist-hit north struck an improvised explosive device, the governor of the Sahel region has said.
Syria: Seven Children Killed by Landmines in Two Days
Four children were killed after a unexploded ordnance (UO) detonated in an abandoned apartment in Idlib, North West Syria, on Monday. This follows an explosion of another landmine on farmland in Homs two days ago.
Four Children Playing With Unexploded Shell Killed When It Detonates at School in Afghanistan
Unexploded ordnance detonated Saturday in southern Afghanistan killing four children and injuring three others after the kids brought it inside their school, police and a doctor said.
The Calamity of Landmines in Yemen
According to the Yemeni Observatory For Landmine Removal, an organization that documents mines, 370 civilians have been killed by landmines, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and explosive ordnance laid by Houthis.
Egypt Clears 25 Million WWII Landmines and Explosives from Western Desert
On Wednesday, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced that they have managed to clear 25 million landmines, explosive objects, and ammunition from the Western Desert in recent years.
USAF Fielding New T7 Robots from L3Harris for EOD
The U.S. Air Force’s 96th Test Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., has received the first of 170 L3Harris [LHX] T7 explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) robots to be fielded at Air Force bases globally.
Toxins in Soil, Blasted Forests – Ukraine Counts Cost of Putin's 'Ecocide'
The woods outside Chernihiv were quiet in late August when Anatoliy Pavelko scrambled into a 10-metre bomb crater with a trowel and an icebox full of sample jars. He wanted to find out what the Russian FAB-250 bomb left.
Drones Are Sniffing Out Landmines in Ukraine
The landmines that plague Ukraine following six months of drawn-out fighting have a new enemy as minesweeping teams get a boost from high-tech drones.
Submerged UXO Clearance Fast-Tracked
Operators clearing underwater unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the wreckage of sunken warships have been focused on speeding up operations.
Joint Task Force in Niger Hands Over Recovered SALW to Government
Demining operations conducted by the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC) in Tboung Khum saw the discovery of more than 1,000 landmines and other UXOs.
US-Thai Military Conduct Humanitarian Mine Action EOD Training in Kingdom of Thailand
U.S. Marines from 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group recently concluded a successful cycle of Humanitarian Mine Action Level 3 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training with Thai Mine Center.
More than 1,000 Landmines, UXOs Unearthed in Tboung Khmum
Demining operations conducted by the National Centre for Peacekeeping Forces (NPMEC) in Tboung Khum saw the discovery of more than 1,000 landmines and other UXOs.
Three Children Among Four Dead in Indian-Made Mine Blast in Zafarwal
Four people, including three children, died in an explosion caused by an Indian-made anti-tank mine in the Punjab city of Zafarwal on Sunday morning.
World War II Bomb Disarmed: 12,000 Residents Back Home After Evacuation
In Berlin, the police evacuated thousands of people in the Friedrichshain borough because a large WWII bomb was found at a construction site. It took hours to get everyone out of the danger zone.
Robot ‘Spot’ to be Deployed in Landmine Clearning Operations in Ukraine
Boston Dynamics is upping its game in the robotics industry by announcing that it will deploy a robot to Ukraine to help mine clearing operations.
Russian Forces Use Widely Banned Cluster Munitions, Damage Hospitals
Russian forces have assaulted Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, with repeated unlawful attacks that killed and wounded civilians and damaged healthcare facilities and homes, Human Rights Watch said today.
Baltic Sea a “Ticking bomb” Climate Conference Warns as Eco Experts Urge Action to Remove Tonnes of Hazardous Waste from Seabed
With WWII shipwrecks already leaking chemical pollutants into the ocean, a climate conference in Gdynia has described the Baltic Sea as “a ticking time bomb” that threatens an ecological catastrophe.
Insurgents Suspected of Landmine Attack Targeting Rubber Farmers in Thailand
Explosions from landmines killed a soldier and injured six police officers and four civilians in Thailand’s troubled Deep South on Monday, including a farmer at a rubber plantation.
Three Killed, Five Injured in Landmine Blast in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
At least three people were killed and five others injured in a landmine blast in the country’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday, police said. The incident happened in North Waziristan.
Three People Killed and Injured by Houthi Landmines in Hodeidah
Ahmed Mohammed, 30 was killed and his eight-year-old son Saqr and nephew Ahmed were injured in Aljazh district in the western Yemen governorate of Hodeidah. Houthi-laid landmines take human lives everyday in south of Hod
WW2 Bomb Revealed in Drought-Hit Waters of Italy's River Po
The drought-stricken waters of Italy's River Po are running so low they revealed a previously submerged World War Two bomb.
Boys Recuperating After Unexploded Ordnance Blast in Northeast Nigeria
Four young boys injured after picking unexploded ordnance in Ngala town near the shores of Lake Chad are recuperating at a hospital in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state in Northeast Nigeria.
$89 Million in New U.S. Humanitarian Demining Assistance for Ukraine
On August 9 the Department announced its intention to provide $89 million of FY 2022 funding to help the Government of Ukraine address the urgent humanitarian challenges posed by ERW created by Russia's war.
UXO Mapping Survey Suspended in Solomon Islands
A Solomons Islands project mapping UXO was suspended following an explosive incident two years ago.
Grunewald: Blast at Bomb Storage Site Sparks Berlin Wildfire
Explosions at an ammunition storage facility have caused a large wildfire in a forest in western Berlin. The site in Grunewald forest is used by German police to store and detonate unexploded ordnance…
Land Mine Injures Farmer Near Kharkiv
A 39-year-old man in Derhachi was injured in an earlier Russian attack on July 30, while a five-hectare wheat field was set ablaze in Zolochiv.
U.S. Marines with Task Force Koa Moana 22 Return to Palau to Continue Efforts
U.S. Marines and Sailors with Task Force Koa Moana (TFKM) 22 have continued the work from previous TFKM iterations, conducting projects and subject matter expert exchanges throughout the Republic of Palau.
Angler Warning: Unexploded World War II Ordnance Found in Fishing Waters off Rhode Island
As if offshore wind farms weren’t controversial enough, a new warning from a Danish surveying crew has left anglers and boaters unequivocally troubled. The Ørsted company recently discovered 11 unexploded munitions.
Four Rusty Unexploded Ordnance, One Vintage Bomb Discovered Cagayan
Four unexploded ordnance (UXO) described as Japanese cartridge 81 high explosive and vintage bomb were found in two separate locations in Gatarran town in this province on Tuesday, August 2.
Landmine Explosion Kills Two Children in Central Yemen
Two Yemeni children were killed by a landmine explosion in the central Bayda province, according to a local NGO.
Vietnam asks for more UNDP’s support for UXO clearance, peacekeeping
The ministry wishes to receive more financial and technical assistance from UNDP, and learn from its experience in building an information database of mine action.
Safety Reminders Issued After Another Military Ordnance Found On Assateague (VA/USA)
Further investigation by the EOD team revealed over 100 pieces of debris and unexploded ordnance in the same area.
Jersey funds mine-detection training for ten Ukrainians
Course participants undergo four weeks of intense training in International Mine Action Standards and EOD. They are taught to identify, survey and dispose of unexploded ordnance.
Ukraine Needs Help Disposing of Bombs and Landmines Left in Russia’s Wake
Proper help and support from non-government organizations and well appropriated foreign aid will be essential for the future of post-war Ukraine in the explosive realm.
Cambodian King, Queen Chip in for Demining
King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk have donated a total of $1.5 million to fund demining work in Cambodia through the “Samdech Techo Project for Mine Action."
This World War I battlefield is on fire and exploding 100-year-old ordnance
The First World War ended 104 years ago, but thanks to wildfires burning the European continent, echoes of the Great War are being heard. And seen. And nearly killing firefighters because bombs left over from the conflic
Remaining Unexploded Ordnance from the past War is still a Danger in BiH
The remaining unexploded ordnance (UXO) from the past war is still a danger in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), which is why citizens are being urged to be extra careful.
Cambodia’s landmine, ERW casualties up 54%
Casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) were 40 for the first half of 2022, an increase of 54% compared to the same period last year when there were 26 victims.
UXO toll at 10 deaths, 30 injuries in 6 months
In the first six months of 2022, there were nearly 30 explosive ordnance accidents causing 10 deaths and 30 injuries, an increase of over 20 per cent compared to the same period in 2021, which had 22 such accidents.
An-12 freighter carrying landmines crashes in Greece
A Soviet-built propeller cargo airplane operated by a small Ukrainian airline crashed in northern Greece late Saturday with a 12.5-ton load of Serbian munitions destined for Bangladesh, according to officials and media a
United States and Norway commit RM41mil in Support for UXO clearance in Laos
The governments of the United States of America and Norway have committed more than US$9.1 million (RM41 million) to the clearance of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in four southern provinces of Laos, reports Laotian Times.
Faceless killer: Syria landmines keep sowing death
Family members from three generations were huddled on the back of a pickup truck for what started as a joyful ride through the Syrian countryside for Abdulaziz al-Oqab and his relatives.
15-year-old student killed in Ann landmine explosion
A 15-year-old middle school student was killed in a landmine explosion that took place in Ann township of Rakhine State, where the Myanmar military’s western command is stationed.
Treatments for parasites keeping landmine detection dogs in field
Cambodia is a country that remains plagued by landmine contamination. As a result, the country has a high proportion of physically disabled people in its population, which has a huge impact both socioeconomically and psy
IED explodes under vehicle carrying demining team in northern Iraq
An IE) blew up under a vehicle carrying a demining team in northern Iraq on Tuesday, injuring seven personnel, according to a press statement issued by the United Nations Assistance Mission.
Isolating the Taliban: How young landmine victims may be collateral damage
A group of Afghan children were grazing sheep in fields near the village of Bolak Wandi in eastern Helmand when they spotted a metallic object half-buried in the ground.
Human toll of cluster bombs in Yemen rising
Remnants of Saudi cluster bombs are taking more lives as Riyadh refuses to allow badly needed equipment, including mine detectors, to enter the war-torn country.
New Research Highlights Plight of Landmine Survivors in Afghanistan, Ukraine and Cambodia
The overarching goal of the research is to ensure that those who have been impacted by victim activated explosive ordnance (VAEO) are not left behind.
Explosive device weighing 100 kg found in river in Sarajevo
The length of the device is 170, the diameter is 40 centimeters, and the approximate weight is about 100 kilograms, the Municipal Administration announced.
Ukraine’s Bomb Squads Have a New Top Dog
It has become increasingly common for deminers to use robots in the field, such as wire-cutting machines and ground-penetrating radars, to extend their productivity and mitigate the risk of getting blown up in the field.
Biden administration to reverse Trump-era rules on landmines
U.S. officials say anti-personnel mines used by various nations kill about 7,000 people a year, the vast majority of whom are civilians.
Operation Render Safe: Clearing the Bombs of WWII
A number of agencies are working toward clearing the islands— the depots, dumps, and old storage facilities where the unexploded and corroded munitions could be
Ukraine: Russian Landmine Use Endangers Civilians, Warns HRW
Several types of landmines produced by state-owned manufacturers in Russia have been used in combat for the first time in Ukraine, Human Rights Watch said.
Joint Response by ECOWAS Member States on Small Arms and Light Weapons
This meeting was organized through the Organized Crime: West Africa Response to Trafficking (OCWAR – T), an ECOWAS program co-funded by the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
GICHD Annual Report 2021
Read about the highlights of the Centre's work in 2021, as well as main areas of focus, financial statements and the most recent list of our donors here.
Canadian-made drones show promising new technology for demining efforts in Ukraine
Drones like these, produced by Saskatoon-based Draganfly, can map a hectare of land in an hour – accelerating work that can take weeks if done by hand.
Landmines will kill and maim along Yemen’s coast for ‘many decades’ to come, UN warns
Civilians lose limbs — and their lives — all too often in Yemen, where landmines and unexploded weapons are a daily hazard after years of conflict.
Malai district: From minefields to plantations
Former minefields in Malai district have become plantations for the cultivation of coconuts, mangoes, longan and tamarind.
11 agricultural labourers killed, 34 injured in landmine explosion, Daraa Governorate, Syria
Syria is by far the worst-affected country for recorded civilian casualties of mine and UXO explosions since 2010, followed by Afghanistan
Colombia requests demining training by Cambodia continue until 2025
Since 2010, CMAC has provided training to more than 180 Colombian deminers over 10 training courses.
Khmer Times commits to help Kingdom achieve 2025 mine-free target
Khmer Times’ contribution on Friday reflects the participation of the private sector with the government on mine clearing actions in the Kingdom.
US commits another US$45mil for UXO clearance in Laos
This is a very important programme that we do together, because the economic development of Laos depends on clearing as much of that exploded ordnance as possible.
PHOTOS: Angola's all-female demining teams blow up landmines — and gender stereotypes
"It's a very different life," says Sanhala, who works for the HALO Trust, a British nonprofit spearheading the fight against landmines in Angola. "But I wanted a challenge."
Colombian Forces to Train Ukrainian Military on Landmine Removal
This training will be in doctrine, techniques, and tactics of military demining. The aimt is to free municipalities from the scourge of war, and prevent lives from being affected in the future.
International resources help ease war bomb consequences in Quang Tri
A total of 34 foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and 23 international organisations are taking part in the settlement of post-war bomb and landmine consequences in the central province of Quang Tri.
WWII Anti-Aircraft Missile Leads to Evacuation of 450 People in Poland
The police said that it was not the first time that they had found an unexploded World War II device in Wieliczka.
Workshop gathers information to tackle remnants of landmines
A critical part of this project is consulting with ARMAC’s stakeholders throughout the region to understand where ARMAC can best support the Mine Action sector in coming years
Ukraine’s famous mine-sniffing dog visits war-wounded children in hospital
Patron ‘brought smiles to the children’s faces again’, hospital staff said
Manchester-based landmine charity heading to Ukraine to help clear explosives left by war
Mines Advisory Group employs 5,700 staff in 27 countries and has significant expertise in clearance in post-conflict countries like Iraq and Syria.
Tractor driver in Ukraine killed by landmine
Tractor drivers tending to the crop fields of Ukraine are regularly hitting land mines laid by Russian soldiers when they occupied various regions of the embattled country.
War in Ukraine Highlights Danger Explosive Weapons Pose to Children
UNICEF is increasing explosive ordnance risk education and victim assistance, while advocating for the global eradication of indiscriminate weapons.
Proof: How TIR Imaging Can Locate Buried Cluster Munitions in the Iraqi Desert
We follow on from our previous work published in The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction that proved how buried thirty-year-old legacy AP and AT mines can be located using thermal infared sensors.
New Conventional EOD and IEDD Competency Standards for Mine Action: Notes on T&EP 09.30, 09.31, and IMAS 09.30
In February 2022, the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) Review Board approved a fully revised Test and Evaluation Protocol (T&EP) 09.30 explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) Competency Standards.
Environmental Soil Sampling and Analysis: Application in Supporting Sustainable Land Use Practices in Areas Impacted by Explosive Ordnance
The use of mechanical equipment such as flails, tillers, or rollers to clear land of explosive remnants can also adversely impact soils due to the loss of soil structure, erosion, and compaction.
National Capacity Building for Humanitarian Mine Action Activities in Iraq
In the last two years, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) Iraq has conducted detailed research into its management and delivery of improvised explosive device (IED) clearance activities.
TNMAC’s Victim Assistance Activities: The Mental Health Aspect of Survivors and HMA Personnel
In accordance with Article 6.3 of the APMBC, Tajikistan is responsible for looking after its own landmine victims.
Mine Action in Afghanistan and Tajikistan: Challenges and Opportunities
In the last decades, humanitarian mine action (HMA) and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)² processes have increasingly been recognized as essential to paving the way for sustainable development.
Mine Action and the Reintegration of Former Combatants: Expanding the Debate
In the last decades, humanitarian mine action (HMA) and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR)² processes have increasingly been recognized as essential to paving the way for sustainable development.
Missed Opportunities: A Chance to Develop Synergy Between Humanitarian Mine Action and Humanitarian Forensic Action
Because HMA and HFA are two separate disciplines with separately stated objectives, current efforts remain stove-piped within their respective disciplines, which can reduce the overall effectiveness of both.
Integrating Humanitarian Mine Action and Humanitarian Forensic Action
When human remains are encountered, operators have responsibilities to ensure that they are dealt with appropriately.
The Recovery of Human Remains in Weapon-Contaminated Settings: Towards Guidance for the Mine Action Community
Forensic specialists and other related experts are operational in the search for missing persons and the management of the dead by locating, recovering, and helping to identify human remains.
UKRAINE: Coordinating the Response
The war in Ukraine has seen the use of ground and aerial weapons on a scale not seen in Europe for decades, causing immense devastation and human suffering.
A note from the interim director
As evident in the articles published in this issue of The Journal, our community is not only resilient when presented with global conflict but stronger for working collaboratively.
UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report
At the end of 2021, more than 320,900 civilians had reportedly been displaced. However, in the first quarter of 2022 this figure has more than doubled.
People for Peace: Dreaming of a mine-free Lebanon
Since 2006, UNIFIL Demining teams have cleared 4,885,900 square meters of land in south Lebanon, disposing of 47,221 items including mines, cluster bombs and unexploded ordinances.
Bomb disposal in Ukraine: ‘It will take years to clear’
Ukrainian sappers have already dealt with some 100,000 shells, mines and other explosives left by the war this year.
Somalis receive explosive threat reduction training
The courses are said to have followed international practice and met United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS) IEDD standards.
Pailin tractor driver detonates anti-tank mine, suffers injuries
A tractor destroyed by an anti-tank mine explosion in Sala Krao district of Pailin province on Sunday. The driver suffered a broken leg, an injured torso and a fractured skull in the explosion.
Kurdish female deminers clear local area of explosives
When you detect a mine, you become very happy, because you save someone else's life from death.
Yemen landmine project removing 'mind-boggling' number of deadly devices
This is a huge task as war-torn country has 'highest density of mines known to man in recent years'
UN launches joint appeal for Syria: ‘Apathy is not an option’
As Syria begins 12 years of conflict amidst soaring humanitarian needs, UN agency heads launched during a European Union conference on Tuesday, a joint appeal for $10.5 billion.
Negotiating Disarmament – The Gender Dimension: Barriers to the Inclusion of Women in Disarmament Negotiations
we examine three sets of barriers to women’s meaningful participation in disarmament negotiations across five peace processes.
CMAA asks for UN financing, demining tech
Demining would contribute to poverty reduction and promote economic and social development, as well as promote gender equality, and eventually advance the achievement of the agenda for the SDGs.
Swiss Foundation Clears Mines In Ukraine
Another source of danger for civilians are abandoned stockpiles – stocks of arms and ammunition that can cause accidental explosions.
Danish tourist killed in roadside bombing in northern Iraq
According to the witnesses, the exploded projectile was one of the remnants of the attacks on Kereinik at the end of last month.
4 children injured in explosion: Violence and insecurity persist after 'genocide' attacks in West Darfur
According to the witnesses, the exploded projectile was one of the remnants of the attacks on Kereinik at the end of last month.
After Saving Hundreds of Lives, 'Mine-sniffing' Dog Receives Medal of Honour in Ukraine
The four-legged creature wagged his tail in excitement as he made his way up to the President to collect his medal.
Two cowherds blown up by landmine in Chin State’s Tedim (Myanmar)
One person died after stepping on a landmine. Another was critically injured and he is seeking medical treatment .
National conference seeks to improve efficiency of support for UXO victims
Participants focused on seeking the most effective methods of support for the victims, national viewpoints on the work and the global stance on the assistance.
Equatorial Guinea explosions highlight need for stockpile management
The blast radius around an explosive storehouse should be within the perimeter of the military base to reduce the risk to civilians in the case of an accidental detonation.
ICRC: 8.5m Iraqis live among deadly mines
Mines and bombs are considered one of the biggest challenges facing the Iraqi authorities before they are able to return displaced persons to liberated areas in the north of the country.
Food crisis looms as landmines litter Ukraine farmer’s fields
Farmers, already hard hit, are facing a deadly new peril
Unexploded artillery shell chaos at Tel Aviv Airport
As reported by BBC, utter chaos erupted at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport (TLV) over an American family’s souvenir…
Afghanistan's landmines threaten starvation as well as life and limb
Halo Trust deminers working in the Taliban-ruled nation tackle a deadly menace
Citizens in BiH knowingly enter Minefields for Hunting or Deforestation
All civil accidents have occurred mainly in marked areas and the most common reasons for this are the overlooked mine warnings and conscious entry into suspicious areas due to hunting or deforestation.
Veke: Dangers of UXO is real, needs huge work
Recently, UXO claimed the lives of a few people, thus it is a serious issue that needs immediate action.
Women trained to clear unexploded bombs in Laos
Two million tons of US bombs were dropped on the country during the Vietnam War
Inside the Laos villages where people build homes, canoes, and tools out of unexploded bombs left over from the Vietnam War
Decades after the Vietnam War ended, there are around 80 million unexploded bombs left in Laos. Despite the danger they pose, some villagers use the bombs to build their homes.
'Not afraid': Ukraine women learn to demine in Kosovo
Kateryna Grybinichenko chose to sign up after rockets fell on her home city of Sloviansk, in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region.
Halo Trust CEO Cowan on landmine risks in Ukraine
He speaks with David Westin on Bloomberg's "Balance of Power."
CMAA teams up with US charity to enhance demining capacity
Landmines and other remnants of war still haunt the country and hamper development, due to its scattering and deadly effects on the people.
What Do You Do With that Ticking Time Bomb in the Attic?
Trained Teams Safely Dispose of Decades-Old Military Explosives Found in Homes
How the State Department deals with one of the worst legacies of ground wars
The U.S. has been the largest supporter of conventional weapons destruction and demining programs since 1993. And we’ve provided over $4.2 billion in more than 100 countries since that time.
Volume 26, Issue 1 & 2 (Fall 2022)
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Volume 25, Issue 3 (Summer 2022)
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