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Mine Action Weekly, 3 - 9 August 2026

  • Writer: Markus Schindler
    Markus Schindler
  • Aug 10
  • 15 min read

This week’s Mine Action Weekly highlights the scale and diversity of explosive ordnance threats worldwide, from Azerbaijan’s 8,000-hectare clearance effort and Ukraine’s expanding capacity to emerging challenges in Gaza, South Korea and Syria. The newsletter also examine advances in AI, underwater demining and drone-based detection, alongside new funding commitments, EORE initiatives, policy developments and efforts to protect communities.



Disclaimers:


  • This newsletter features news reports and articles from a variety of sources. Mention of these resources does not indicate agreement with or endorsement of the opinions of others. I do not claim responsibility or credit for these works, and do not vouch for the information contained in them.

  • This newsletter is created and managed in a personal capacity, independent of my professional affiliation with Fondation suisse de déminage (FSD).

🗞️ 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


🇦🇫 Afghanistan: Unexploded Ordnance Identified in Two Kabul Districts

The Disaster Preparedness Department has announced that following technical assessments in the Kalakan and Shakardara districts of Kabul province, areas contaminated with unexploded ordnance have been identified, confirming the need for their clearance.


🇦🇿 Azerbaijan reports clearing over 8,000 hectares in July demining drive

Azerbaijan's National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) cleared 8,012.7 hectares of land of mines and unexploded ordnance across the country's liberated territories in July.

Demining teams operating detected and neutralised 614 anti-personnel mines, 174 anti-tank mines, and 2,106 pieces of unexploded ordnance.


The continuing landmine threat along the Bangladesh–Myanmar border highlights shortcomings in preparedness, coordination and civilian protection. The editorial calls for a stronger response to explosive hazards affecting border communities, including improved monitoring, public awareness and measures to reduce the risks posed by mines and other explosive remnants of conflict.


Millions of unexploded cluster submunitions deployed by Thai forces continue to drive a severe humanitarian and socioeconomic crisis across Cambodia’s border region, rendering thousands of square kilometres of agricultural land and residential areas unusable.


🇫🇷 France: Gironde : hundreds of shells discovered following the fire

The fires, which ravaged part of the town, revealed the presence of hundreds of pieces of buried ordnance. According to the Civil Protection Service’s Mine Clearance Sub-Directorate, more than 400 explosive devices were identified: 300 armour-piercing shells and 100 mortar rounds. Around a hundred of them were destroyed by the flames, but the rest remained intact, requiring immediate action by bomb disposal experts.


🇱🇻 Latvia to deploy troops for Hormuz Strait clearance operations

Latvia could deploy up to 20 military personnel to multinational operations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, according to a draft parliamentary decision prepared by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the participation of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF).


This year marks the 20th anniversary of Chinese "Blue Helmets" participating in the peacekeeping operations in Lebanon. Since the deployment of the first Chinese peacekeeping contingent to Lebanon in 2006, more than 8,800 Chinese peacekeepers have served in succession. Over the past 20 years, Chinese peacekeepers have cleared more than two million square meters of minefields, neutralized over 18,000 landmines and items of unexploded ordnance (UXO), and repaired 320 kilometers of roads, earning praise from the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) as the "best demining team."


🇱🇧 Lebanon: From Dibbin to Nabatiye villages: Army dismantles unexploded Israeli remnants

Lebanese Army units have disarmed unexploded Israeli aerial rockets and bombs found in villages including Dibbin, Marjayoun, Zawtari al-Gharbiya, Houmein al-Fuqa, Zebdin, and Ad-Dawir in Nabatiye. Authorities urge caution in areas affected by Israeli attacks and to report suspicious objects immediately. Read more here.


🇲🇲 Myanmar: Displacement crisis in Karenni State forces immediate landmine clearance

The Karenni Interim Executive Council was founded in June 2023 based on bottom-up governance at the state level, with a view to an eventual federal democratic union. Amid the conflict, the IEC’s goals are to foster cooperation among different forces within Karenni State, deliver public services, and protect the public, including against the growing landmine threat.


🇵🇸 Palestine: Humanitarian Situation Report

Mine action partners have conducted 3,199 explosive hazard assessments across Gaza since October 2023, covering nine square kilometres and identifying and marking 1,052 explosive ordnance items. In July alone, more than 63,000 people received EORE. However, partners remain unable to move or dispose of hazards, while specialized equipment cannot yet be imported.


🇰🇷 South Korea to open mine clearance work to private sector

South Korea will allow qualified private organizations to take part in mine detection and clearance work as part of a new five-year plan to reform how the country manages landmines no longer needed for military purposes, the defense ministry said Monday.


🇰🇷 South Korea recovers landmines believed to have washed from North by monsoon floods

South Korean authorities have collected 15 landmines believed to have washed over into their coastal territory from the inter-Korean border on monsoon deluges. Some 800,000 are estimated to be buried around the area, according to military data cited by the Yonhap news agency, many from the war but mine-laying has continued in recent years.


🇰🇷 🇰🇵 South Korea: North Korean attack could leave 76,000 unexploded shells in an hour

A full-scale conflict with North Korea could leave the Korean Peninsula littered with millions of explosive remnants of war (ERW), prompting the need for South Korea to adopt an integrated drone and artificial intelligence (AI) based clearance system, according to researchers from a government-funded think tank.


🇸🇸 South Sudan: From One Accident to Thousands Protected: A Story of Resilience and Rapid Humanitarian Response in South Sudan

Following a 16-year-old boy’s serious hand injury after handling live ammunition in Malakal, UNMAS, with funding from the South Sudan Humanitarian Fund, traced the item to Canal/Pigi County in Jonglei State. Emergency teams subsequently conducted Non-Technical Surveys and EORE, engaging children, teachers, parents and community leaders to identify risks and prevent further accidents.


🇸🇾 Syria: 90% of mines cleared from Darbasiyah–Serê Kaniyê road

Mine-clearance operations are continuing along the Darbasiyah–Serê Kaniyê (Ras al-Ain) road, with the Reacho Organization confirming that 90% of the road has been cleared, while work is ongoing to complete the operation later this week.


Syria faces decades of work to clear the landmines and unexploded munitions scattered across the country after 14 years of war, humanitarian experts have told The New Arab, warning that children and returning families will continue to pay the highest price unless mine-clearance efforts are rapidly expanded.


In Cherkasy, officials gathered for a wrap-up session marking the completion of an underwater demining course for 24 Ukrainian sapper-divers from the State Emergency Service (SES), which was run by French instructors. The training focused on the use of autonomous underwater vehicles, sonar data processing with the SonarWiz program, and handling remotely operated underwater vehicles (ROVs). The project is intended to enhance Ukraine's humanitarian demining capabilities.


In July, under the Humanitarian Demining budget program mine action operators cleared 210 hectares of agricultural land; two agreements to demine agricultural plots were completed; and operators received UAH 13.2 million for the work carried out.


🇺🇦 Ukraine: MAG grows to 500-strong workforce

MAG (Mines Advisory Group) has expanded its Ukraine programme to more than 500 staff, including 21 clearance teams, 14 community liaison teams and six mechanical teams. The organisation has also recruited 15 new deminers who completed medical training and the Basic Deminer Course. Women account for 47% of MAG’s national workforce, reflecting growing local capacity to address Ukraine’s explosive contamination crisis.


🇺🇦 Ukraine: Demining completed on 876 hectares at Landex Agro LLC

UDS has completed the clearance of 876 hectares at Landex Agro LLC, located in the Izium District of Kharkiv Region. The project was commissioned by the Humanitarian Demining Center. The operations covered 198 cadastral land plots and 70 polygons of potentially contaminated areas. To carry out the work, UDS deployed Bozena 5+, GERMINA, and Zmiy mechanical demining machines. Their use significantly reduced risks to deminers while increasing the efficiency of clearing large areas.


A working meeting was held at the the Mobile Rapid Response Rescue Center “Sumy” of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, attended by representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Environment, the Centre for Humanitarian Demining and the Ukrainian branch of Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).


🇾🇪 Yemen: Masam destroys 4,141 mines and unexploded ordnance in Yemen

Saudi-backed demining project Masam on Wednesday destroyed 4,141 mines and unexploded remnants of war in the Midi district of Yemen's Hajjah governorate. Masam Managing Director Osama Al-Gosaibi said the operation was the first of its kind to be carried out in the governorate since the project began work there in September last year.


🇾🇪 Yemen: Project Masam clears 5,287 explosive threats in Yemen during first week of August 2026

Project Masam demining teams cleared 5,287 landmines and other explosive hazards across Yemen during the first week of August 2026, continuing efforts to reduce explosive threats and protect civilians in contaminated areas. According to the latest operational figures, the items removed include 24 anti-personnel mines, 69 anti-tank mines, 5,151 items of unexploded ordnance (UXO), and 43 improvised explosive devices (IEDs). During the same period, Project Masam teams cleared 301,896 square metres of land, making it safe for civilian use.


🌍 World Tour: Buried, but not gone

The World Tour podcast examines the continuing threat posed by landmines and explosive remnants of war decades after conflicts end. It highlights how buried explosives remain a danger to civilians, restrict access to land and resources, and create long-term humanitarian challenges for communities living with the legacy of past wars.


Other EO Finds from Around the Globe:


2. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE)


🇮🇶 Iraq: MAG launches new mobile game to help children stay safe

MAG has launched a new mobile game designed to help children in Iraq learn how to stay safe from landmines and explosive remnants of war. The game – Safe Path – turns explosive ordnance risk education messages into an interactive experience, enabling children to learn how to recognise danger and make safer choices.


The Department of Social Services and School Health, GNU Ministry of Education, in cooperation with the Psychological and Educational Research Center in Derna have implemented an awareness and educational programme on protection from the remnants of war and mines, and their impact on learners, the educational process, and psychological, social, health, and educational aspects. The Ministry stated that this programme was implemented in cooperation and partnership with UNICEF and the Libyan Mine Action Center.

3. Accidents, Survivors, Victim Assistance


🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Mine explosion injures two humanitarian demining workers in Azerbaijan's Aghdara

Two men injured in an explosion in the village of Chardakhli, Aghdara district, were hospitalized at the Emergency Department of the Tartar District Central Hospital at around 10:40 a.m. on August 3. According to the information, the person born in 1994 was diagnosed with an amputation of the right lower leg at the ankle, while the person born in 1998 was diagnosed with multiple shrapnel wounds to the anterior abdominal wall.


A 10-year-old boy, Omer, was severely injured after picking up an unexploded item while playing near his home in Omdurman. The incident highlights the continuing danger posed by explosive remnants of war in areas where displaced families are returning. UNICEF, the National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) and partners are providing EORE, victim assistance, medical referrals and psychosocial support.


🇺🇦 Ukraine: Russian strike during mine clearance in Zaporizhzhia region leaves two emergency service deminers injured

Russian forces attacked pyrotechnicians from the State Emergency Service of Ukraine during demining operations in the Zaporizhzhia region, two of them were injured.


Other EO Accidents from Around the Globe:


4. Advocacy, Policy, Conventions, Strategies and Standards


🇦🇿 Azerbaijan: Swiss FM: Mine clearance is one of the most important humanitarian challenges facing Azerbaijan

Mine clearance in Azerbaijan will continue for many years and remains one of the country's most significant humanitarian challenges, Swiss Federal Councillor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Ignazio Cassis said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov.


Senior Minister Ly Thuch, First Vice President of the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA), has called for stronger efforts to eliminate explosive hazards and transform former minefields into safe land for agriculture and development, urging all stakeholders to uphold the principle of “Clear the past, protect the future.”


🇰🇭 Cambodia Appeals for Global Stop to Cluster Bomb Manufacture

Cambodia has urged the world to stop producing and using cluster bombs, warning that the weapons cause severe harm to civilians and leave devastating consequences that can last for generations, long after the fighting has ended.


🇨🇾 Cyprus: Erhurman says Christodoulides rejected UN proposal to expand mine clearance

Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman said President Nikos Christodoulides rejected a proposal from UN Secretary-General António Guterres to expand mine clearance in Cyprus, beginning in the buffer zone and continuing elsewhere. The UN estimates 47 hazardous areas remain potentially contaminated by mines or other ERW, covering approximately 1.7 million square metres.


🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: Award-winning actor Rosamund Pike to visit Sri Lanka

Globe, Emmy, and Olivier Award-winning actor Rosamund Pike, Ambassador to the Mines Advisory Group (MAG), is visiting Sri Lanka this week as the country marks the clearance of one million landmines over the past 17 years. Her visit highlights the remarkable progress made by Sri Lanka’s mine-action sector and the importance of maintaining momentum towards the country’s goal of becoming landmine-free.


🇱🇰 Sri Lanka: More military personnel for demining

A discussion aimed at expediting the demining programme implemented under the Housing, Construction and Water Supply Ministry was held on Tuesday (4) at the Parliament complex under the chairpersonship of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Dr Susil Ranasinghe. The discussion focused on increasing the number of trained military personnel deployed for demining operations to 500 and providing the necessary resources and support required to accelerate the clearance process. Read more here.

5. Stockpile Destruction, Demolition, WAM and Disarmament

6. Research, Innovation, Technology and Market Trends


South Korea’s Navy has tested an artificial intelligence-powered mine warfare concept that combines an AI “combat staff officer” with unmanned surface and underwater systems, marking another step toward integrating autonomous technologies into future naval operations.


🇺🇸 United States: CRREL working to keep ‘people out of harm’s way’ by using drones to find and identify unexploded ordnance

CRREL working to keep ‘people out of harm’s way’ by using drones to find and identify unexploded ordnance
www.dvidshub.net
CRREL working to keep ‘people out of harm’s way’ by using drones to find and identify unexploded ordnance
It’s estimated that up to ten percent of ordnance does not detonate when it impacts training ranges and combat zones. That means that even after a conflict or live-fire training are over – sometimes even decades later – unexploded bombs, missiles, and artillery shells still pose a deadly threat to military personnel and civilians. Finding them and cleaning them up, usually done by personnel on the ground, is dangerous work. But a team of researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and Dartmouth College is pioneering a new way to keep humans out of harm’s way by using drones to find and identify unexploded ordnance. “We use what's called electromagnetic induction so generally we just create a really strong magnetic field and that magnetic field interacts with these metallic targets that are in the subsurface,” said CRREL Research Physical Scientist Michele Maxson. “We're able to use physics to look at that magnetic field and say, ‘OK this metal target in the subsurface, what is its shape, what is its size?’ Once we're able to figure out what its shape is and what its size is and what its depth is as well, we can say ‘that is going to be a munition,’ or ‘that's going to be a coke can.’” The custom built, electromagnetic array that detects and categorizes the unexploded ordnance is light enough to be flown by a group 2 octo-rotor drone that is already widely used by the U.S. Army. “This is intended to ultimately be our rapidly deployable, mid-scale solution,” said Brian Quinn, a CRREL research general engineer. “This is the best way to enter an austere environment and do some investigation. We'd certainly rather keep people out of harm's way, and we can put equipment in their place.” Beyond its battlefield applications, researchers are also exploring ways the system could be used on civil works or even everyday construction projects, such as finding lead pipes, alerting workers to buried items before they begin digging or locating underground infrastructure. Archive videography by: Airman 1st Class Trevor Bell, Spc. Elijah Magana, Airman 1st Class Makenna Patterson, Pfc. Nicholas Bryan and Lance Cpl. Kanoa Thomas, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jackson Adkins, Sgt. Marla Ogden, and William Lewis.

A team of researchers from the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) and Dartmouth College is pioneering a new way to keep humans out of harm’s way by using drones to find and identify unexploded ordnance. “We use what's called electromagnetic induction so generally we just create a really strong magnetic field and that magnetic field interacts with these metallic targets that are in the subsurface,” said CRREL Research Physical Scientist Michele Maxson.


The Mine Action Innovation Hub brings together national authorities, operators, researchers, technology developers and donors to address real operational challenges. By promoting needs-based innovation, sharing knowledge and supporting the testing and scaling of new solutions, the Hub helps make mine action safer, faster and more effective.


🌍 MapNero EOD Field Mapping Tool

MapNero is a field mapping app designed specifically for humanitarian mine action. IMAS-compliant UXO spot reports, land release tracking, MIL-STD-2525D symbology, Blast/Frag simulator, CBRN dispersion modeling, team collaboration, fully offline, available in 12 languages including Ukrainian and Arabic.

7. Mine Action Assistance, Funding and Cooperation


🇦🇫 🇴🇲 Afghanistan: 465,000-Dollar Agreement Signed to Clear Mines in Kabul and Logar

On Tuesday, August 4th, the Taliban’s National Disaster Management Authority announced that a $465,152 agreement was signed with the Omar Mine Clearance Institute. According to the terms, contaminated areas in Khak-e-Jabar district of Kabul and the Mes Aynak area in Mohammad Agha district of Logar will be cleared of mines and unexploded ordnance. The Taliban authority stated that approximately 969,000 people will directly and indirectly benefit from the project. The cleared lands will then be prepared for residential, economic, and agricultural use.


🇮🇷 🇪🇺 🌊 Iran Considers Allowing European Participation in Strait of Hormuz Mine Clearance

Iran is contemplating permitting European countries to partake in the clearance of naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, marking a potential shift from its previous stance rejecting any foreign involvement in securing this vital waterway.


🇱🇦 🇻🇳 Laos, Vietnam: NPA Laos Visits NPA Vietnam for Knowledge Exchange

The NPA Laos Operations Management team, led by Operations Manager Mr. Magnus Johanson and Deputy Country Director Mrs. Linh Nguyen, recently visited NPA Vietnam in Quang Tri Province for a two-day knowledge exchange, 21 and 22 July. During the field visits, the team observed technical survey and clearance operations, including field procedures, detector deployment and testing, live digital reporting, task planning, and controlled demolitions.


🇳🇴 Norway Strengthens Efforts Against Landmines and Explosives Globally

Norway commits NOK 580 million to humanitarian efforts aimed at protecting civilians from landmines and explosive remnants of war. The funding will also cover victim assistance and advocacy to strengthen international norms and legal instruments, including the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.


🇻🇳 Viet Nam prioritises post-war recovery cooperation with US: general staff chief

The Chief of the General Staff thanked the US Pacific Command for supporting post-war recovery projects in Viet Nam, including the construction and inauguration of the explosive ordnance disposal training ground for the Viet Nam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC) in March 2025.

8. Other News


🇱🇦 Laos: U.S. Embassy UXO Program Advisor Visits NPA Field Activities in Southern Laos

A U.S. Embassy UXO Program Advisor visited Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) operations in Sekong and Attapeu provinces, observing clearance and explosive ordnance risk education activities. At one site, NPA has cleared more than 1.2 million square metres and destroyed over 600 unexploded bombs since early 2026, with the land planned for sugarcane cultivation.


🇸🇴 Somaliland: HALO Deminers Save Mother and Newborn in Remote Community

The HALO Trust deminers in remote Somaliland provided lifesaving emergency care to a woman who developed severe bleeding after giving birth, with no healthcare facility available for hundreds of miles. Minefield medics administered medication, performed uterine massage and supported breastfeeding to control the hemorrhage. The case highlights how medical training provided to demining teams can strengthen wider community resilience.


🇻🇳 Vietnam: Professor Vu Dinh Cu – The man who disassembled American magnetic bombs

Professor Vu Dinh Cu, one of Vietnam's leading scientists, played a significant role in wartime efforts to counter American magnetic mines and bombs. In 1972, he joined the GK1 task force, which studied the detonation mechanisms of advanced magnetic bombs and developed an automated device capable of triggering mines without exposing clearance personnel to the danger. The technology was deployed around Hai Phong port and other strategic locations.


🌍 Landmine detection & earthquake recovery: Belgian ‘hero rats’ save lives around the world

They track down landmines, detect tuberculosis, help combat illegal trade and can even find survivors after earthquakes: the rats trained by the Belgian NGO APOPO are saving lives worldwide. From its base in Tanzania, the organisation has been training these rodents for over 25 years.


🪐 UFO Researcher Claims NASA Curiosity Photo Shows Unexploded Alien Missile on Mars Surface

A UFO researcher claims a NASA Curiosity image shows an unexploded alien missile on Mars, but NASA has offered no evidence to support the theory.

📅 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.


  • Join the public PhD defence of Henrique Garbino on 4 September 2026, from 13:00–17:00, at Sverigesalen, Swedish Defence University, Stockholm. Henrique will defend his dissertation, Unearthing Restraint: The Use and Non-Use of Landmines by Armed Groups, which examines why armed groups sometimes choose to limit violence. Drawing on research from Colombia and the Philippines, the thesis offers new insights into the dynamics of restraint in armed conflict and the factors that shape landmine use and non-use. The event is open to the public. Learn more here.

  • Felix Connect is a dedicated networking event designed to bring together supporters, partners, and friends of Felix Fund - the bomb disposal charity. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space to connect, network, or simply catch up with familiar faces from across the EOD, Search, defence, and charity communities. The event will be held on 28 September in London. Learn more here.

  • The Mine Action: Innovation, Sustainability, and Global Partnerships speaker series is structured to address landmine and explosive remnants of war (ERW) challenges through a strictly humanitarian, civilian-protection-oriented framework, with clearly defined ethical, legal, and operational boundaries between humanitarian and military applications of technology. Dates are: FEB 19 | MAR 19 | APR 16 | MAY 21 | JUN 18 | JUL 16 | AUG 20 | SEP 17 | OCT 15 | NOV 19 | DEC 17. Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET. Location: Virtual (Zoom Webinar). Register here.

🔔 Always Stay in the Know – Never Miss an Update


This newsletter is subscribed to by over 3600+ dedicated readers on LinkedIn. To join this community of mine action professionals and supporters, go ahead and subscribe to the Mine Action Weekly newsletter. You can find all editions up to February 2026 on LinkedIn, and from March 2026 onwards here on Mine Action News.


Please reach out to me if there are any mine action news, journal articles, events, or updates that you would like to suggest for the next edition of Mine Action Weekly. You can find (and follow / connect with) me here. See you next Monday!

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