Bosnia and Herzegovina remains the most heavily mined country in the Balkans because of its central role in the Yugoslav Wars. In 1996, one year after the signing of the Dayton Peace Agreement which ended the Bosnian War, over 1 million acres were considered unsafe due to landmines. These deadly hazards killed and maimed civilians, blocked access to basic services, prevented displaced communities from returning to their homes, prevented agricultural development, and delayed economic recovery. According to the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center since 1996, more than 1,781 Bosnian civilians have been injured or killed by landmines.
In November 2023, with U.S. support, and through the work of our implementing partners ITF Enhancing Human Security and the Mine Detection Dog Center (MDDC) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the urban area of Mostar was declared mine-impact free. This U.S.-funded project, managed by the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, returned over 395 acres of previously mined land to the local community for safe and productive use.
Miljenko Puljić is a local resident living near the village of Hodbina, just south of Mostar. His newly renovated house is situated close to the demining site and the spring of Bunica River, a natural attraction.
“I was genuinely excited and overjoyed when I saw the demining team here. I immediately offered my assistance, guiding them through a mine contaminated road that held great significance for us locals,” shared Miljenko. “I couldn’t help but think about how we will finally be able to freely and fearlessly enjoy our environment. There’s this unique stream here, and touristic attraction of Bunica River, but the entire area was trapped by mines for decades. Now, we’re truly free and safe!”
Thanks to strong international support and dedicated leadership by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center (BHMAC), the country has made significant progress addressing the threats posed by landmine contamination. As of September 2023, the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center estimated that 209,792 acres of its territory remained either suspected or confirmed hazardous areas. Most remaining minefields exist around formerly strategic areas along the boundary line between the country’s two federal entities, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska.
Mostar, the sixth-largest city in Bosnia and Herzegovina, is rapidly developing and is the largest economic center in Herzegovina. Explosive devices found during the implementation of this project will no longer pose a threat to residents and the increasing number of tourists who are visiting the city of Mostar and its surrounding natural beauty.
“Today, we can officially say that Mostar is a mine-free city, and it doesn’t need much explanation about how important this is. As we aspire to be a European city and a tourism hotspot of Herzegovina, the declaration of Mostar as a mine-free city holds immense importance. The United States generously funded this project through the ITF Enhancing Human Security. My gratitude extends also to the implementor of this project, MDDC, which played a crucial role in implementing the final phase of the project. Also, thanks to BHMAC, a long-term collaborator of Mostar Administration, and in this case, the overarching organization addressing the challenges of the unfortunate legacy from the 1990s,” stated Mayor of Mostar Mario Kordić.
Since 1996, the United States has invested more than $133 million in conventional weapons destruction activities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, including landmine clearance, mine risk education, survivor assistance, and munitions stockpile destruction. This work has played a critical role facilitating post-conflict recovery, economic development, food security, and IDP returns, while also preventing the illicit diversion of weapons and ammunition. Following the success of the Sarajevo-Free of Mines project and the completion of this project in Mostar, the United States will continue to support similar work in Brčko District to help the government make Brčko mine-impact free by 2024, US Department of State said in a press release.
