In the past year, deminers have cleared an area of more than two million square meters in 22 municipalities, but there is still a lot of work to do. Even three decades after the war, our country is one of the most threatened by mines in Europe and the world.
With the presentation of the report to the Minister of Defense Zukan Helez, the results achieved by the demining team of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past year were presented at Štrbačka Buk in Bihać. More than 20,000 different types of mines were found, and most importantly, without any injuries or casualties, an area of over two million square meters in 22 municipalities was finally cleared.
GOJKO KNEŽEVIĆ, Chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Municipalities were active in the past year regarding the removal of mines, and in this current year 2024, there will be 18 more. And that where we estimate that it is most critical or from the aspect of infrastructure projects”.
SULEJMAN KIŠIJA, commander of the demining battalion of the OSBiH
“Through the decision of the Council of Ministers, as part of the strategy, we planned to clear the territory of mines by 2025, but that will not be possible. It will probably be postponed to 2027 and beyond.”
Although asked to comment on Milorad Dodik’s latest statements, narratives of division and inflammatory rhetoric, Minister Helez did not want to spoil the ceremony. He called on political actors to reduce tensions.
ZUKAN HELEZ, Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina
“Not to make inflammatory statements about the alleged war and involve the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in politics. I repeat, they are the guarantor of stability, they are of multi-ethnic character and the best integrated part of society. I want to tell the citizens to be calm and safe because there is no danger”.
Almost 30 years after the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina, half a million people are still threatened by mines. So far, 1,782 people have died, BHRT writes.
