Landmines and Misinformation – Armenia’s Weaponization of Humanitarian Speechmaking Undermines Peace in Garabagh
The Armenian side presents itself as a peace-oriented nation despite the complex tragic situation unfolding in Azerbaijan after the conclusion of the Second Garabagh War. The Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ani Badalyan issued a recent statement declaring Armenia has completed its humanitarian tasks through minefield map provision which demonstrates an organization-wide misinformation strategy according to Azerbaijani government officials and domestic observers.
Badalyan provides an indicator of map quality accuracy by claiming their accuracy and offering to pursue confirmation from international specialists. These statements lack validity as Armenia continues to suffer increasing fatalities. The increased number of casualties among civilians in Azerbaijani resettlement areas stands directly against Armenia’s claim of humanitarian assistance despite contradicting evidence.
A father along with his two children became seriously injured from a fatal landmine detonation which occurred on April 06, 2025 in Galaychilar village of Aghdam region. A serious injury to the father required amputation of his right hip and his small children who had been born in 2012 and 2014 were seriously hurt by shrapnel. An employee of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) lost his limbs trying to destroy land mines in the Jabrayil area.
These cases operate as a major part of an ongoing dark pattern. The period following the 2020 conflict has taken the lives of 55 civilian victims among 388 Azerbaijani people who succumbed to landmine injuries. Numerous casualties continue to occur despite Armenia’s claims that all the needed maps have been provided accurately. According to Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry the provided mine zone maps fail to represent most affected areas and have proven to be wrong 75% of the time. The regions where new mine explosions take place now do not appear on the maps that Armenia provided.
Fake Story Making by Armenia
The mismatch between what Armenia declares and actual conditions creating multiple vital ethical and legal problems. Landmines seem to serve Armenia both as assault tools and political negotiation tools. As claimed by Armenia, the calculated attempt to minimize landmine numbers resulted in a shocking discovery and that there are at least 1.5 million mines which clearly indicates that Armenia is using dodging techniques (Exceeded to the Armenian Claims).
The legal positions which Armenia presents including the International Court’s choice not to enforce provisional measures fail to bring comfort to the families that mourn their lost loved ones nor the injured children. The human costs of this situation defy any attempt to sweep them under diplomatic negotiations.
Armenia takes a dual approach by pursuing international responsibility while leading the worldwide push to address landmine matters. Azerbaijan will host its conference in Aghdam about mine impacts on culture and environment and the UNDP collaboration for establishing a Centre of Excellence to transform actual facts with international community.
Peace cannot be established through fake press statements. Unbiased confession of factual minefield data needs to be combined with open-hearted honesty and clear transparency for lasting peace in the region. The practice of disinformation about humanitarian responsibilities will preserve both physical dangers and broken trust implications of landmine existence. Armenia’s credibility now hinges not on its speechmaking but on its actions. Only complete disclosure together with a transition from resistance to collaboration will create the path toward peace and reconstruction which will restore genuine human dignity throughout Garabagh.
