The Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) has announced that Türkiye has reached a significant milestone in its humanitarian demining efforts. According to information obtained from ministry sources, nearly 56 million square meters of land have been cleared of mines across the country since 2015 under the coordination of the National Mine Action Center (MAFAM), and a total of 228,000 mines have been destroyed. Conducted in line with the Ottawa Convention, to which Türkiye is a party, these activities play a critical role in both border security and the protection of civilian lives.

The history of anti-personnel mines in Türkiye dates back to the 1950s. Mines were first deployed along the Syrian border in 1956 to prevent smuggling, and later, particularly between 1993 and 1997, were laid in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia to secure military zones and border lines amid rising terrorist threats. Today, clearing these mines is important not only from a security perspective but also for regional development. As former minefields are made safe, local communities engaged in agriculture and livestock farming are able to work more securely, while historically and culturally significant areas are also being brought back into public access.

MAFAM’s mission extends beyond simply removing mines from the ground. Under its Explosive Ordnance Risk Education program, approximately 20,000 people living near mined areas have received training. These programs aim to raise awareness among residents of rural and high-risk areas about the dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance. Increasing public awareness, reducing civilian casualties, and supporting victims all form part of MAFAM’s broader humanitarian mission.

Field operations are carried out by Special Mine Search and Clearance units established within the Turkish Armed Forces and the Gendarmerie General Command. Currently, ÖMAT and JÖMAT teams are conducting humanitarian demining activities in provinces including Iğdır, Tunceli, Şırnak, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, and Hatay. These teams operate with advanced mine detectors, protective equipment, mechanical mine-clearing systems, and mine detection dogs. Within the Land Forces Command, there are 8 ÖMAT Company Commands and a total of 32 ÖMAT teams, each capable of conducting independent operations. This structure highlights the scale and maturity of Türkiye’s mine clearance capability.

Türkiye is also sharing its experience and expertise with friendly and allied nations. Since December 11, 2020, Turkish ÖMAT units deployed to Azerbaijan have provided training and support in Ağdam, Jabrayil, Hadrut, and Lachin. In addition, cooperation and capacity-building efforts in humanitarian demining continue with Syria, Libya, Lithuania, Ukraine, Nigeria, and ASEAN member states. This demonstrates that Türkiye has become an active regional and international actor in the field of humanitarian mine action.

The Turkish Armed Forces are also maintaining an intensive effort against maritime mine threats. Following the Russia-Ukraine war, drifting mines in the Black Sea have created risks for maritime traffic, prompting the Turkish Navy to conduct 24/7 surveillance and disposal missions. Maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, mine countermeasure vessels, and Underwater Defense (SAS) teams have detected hundreds of suspicious objects to date. Those identified as mines, kamikaze UAVs, or kamikaze unmanned surface vehicles have been successfully neutralized. Since March 26, 2022, uninterrupted mine watch operations have also been carried out in the approaches to the Istanbul Strait to ensure the safety of sea lines of communication. Furthermore, the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group, launched under Türkiye’s leadership together with Romania and Bulgaria, has added an important multinational dimension to these efforts.