About Us
Our Research Products
Nagorno-Karabakh
Cluster Munition Ban Policy
Prior to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Parliament of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Province voted in 1988 to secede from the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic (SSR) and join the Armenian SSR, which resulted in armed conflict from 1988 to 1994. The region declared independence as the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic in 1991. Nagorno-Karabakh is not recognized by any UN member state and thus is not eligible to adhere formally to international instruments such as the Convention on Cluster Munitions.
Authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh have not made a public declaration of their cluster munition policy. It is not known if Nagorno-Karabakh forces possess cluster munitions.
Submunition contamination has been identified in Nagorno-Karabakh from the 1988 to 1994 conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over the territory. Large quantities of air-dropped cluster munitions were used over the six-year period. However, which armed forces used cluster munitions is not known.
Cluster Munition Remnants
HALO Trust has reported that Nagorno-Karabakh has a significant problem of cluster munition remnants, particularly in the Askeran and Martakert regions. Large quantities of air-dropped cluster munitions were used in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict over a six-year period. Cluster munition sites run through villages and contaminate gardens and prime agricultural land. HALO has already cleared the majority of cluster munition tasks around Stepanakert and Shushi.[1]
HALO initially conducted emergency surface clearance of cluster munition remnants. In 2008, HALO concluded there was also a significant sub-surface threat and they began to re-survey cluster munition strike sites. Sub-surface clearance has consistently cleared more area than originally estimated to be contaminated, and new surveys of previously unknown cluster munition strikes have added to the total suspected hazardous area (SHA).[2]
The result of the re-survey was an increase of SHA from 85km2 to 94km2 between 2008 and 2009.[3] As of March 2011, the estimated remaining area in need of battle area clearance (BAC) was 69.5km2 impacting 131 communities.[4]
Clearance of battle areas, including cluster munition contaminated areas, in 2010
Unexploded submunitions contaminate villages, gardens, and prime agricultural land. They sometimes, but not always, prevent people from cultivating land. HALO prioritizes clearance in communities where agricultural land is not used because it is contaminated, often by cluster munition remnants.[5]
Battle area clearance in 2010[6]
|
Battle area cleared (km2) |
No. of unexploded submunitions destroyed |
No. of other UXO destroyed |
No. of AXO destroyed |
|
2.83 km² |
369 |
703 |
1,778 |
AXO = abandoned explosive ordnance
UXO = unexploded ordnance
Roving clearance/explosive ordnance disposal in 2010
HALO has one dedicated explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) team, although its mine clearance and BAC teams can also conduct EOD call-outs close to their clearance sites.
Roving clearance/explosive ordnance disposal in 2010[7]
|
No. of roving tasks |
No. of unexploded submunitions destroyed |
No. of other UXO destroyed |
No. of AXO destroyed |
|
191 |
82 |
308 |
884 |
Cluster munition casualties
One casualty from an unexploded submunition in Nagorno-Karabakh was reported for 2010.[8] Between 1995 and 2010 there were at least 15 casualties from unexploded submunitions.[9]
[1] Emails from Andrew Moore, Caucasus and Balkans Desk Officer, HALO, 5 March 2010 and 9 March 2011.
[2] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO, 28 April 2010.
[3] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 5 March 2010.
[4] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 5 March 2010; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 9 March 2011.
[5] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 5 March 2010; and response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 9 March 2011.
[6] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 5 March 2010; response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 9 March 2011; and email from Andrew Moore, HALO, 18 April 2011.
[7] Response to Monitor questionnaire by Andrew Moore, HALO, 9 March 2011.
[8] Email from Andrew Moore, HALO, 6 April 2011.
[9] Emails from Andrew Moore, HALO, 25 February 2010 and 6 April 2011; Matthew Hovell, Caucasus and Balkans Desk Officer, HALO, 8 July 2009; and Valon Kumnova, Program Manager, HALO, 6 April 2007.
Send us your feedback on this profile
Send the Monitor your feedback by filling out this form. Responses will be channeled to editors, but will not be available online. Click if you would like to send an attachment. If you are using webmail, send attachments to .