Algeria destroys anti-personnel mines in 62,000 hectares

The National Popular Army achieved mines clearance operation in all the borders area. This enabled to turn more than 62,000 hectares into agricultural investment projects.

Colonel Ahcene Gherabi who is in charge of mine clearance at the national defence ministry Wednesday said Algeria eliminated all the mines late in December.

“About 9 million mines were cleared through two phases. A total of 50,000 hectares were cleared in 1963-1988. The second phase started in 2004 and ended by the end of last year. More than a million and a half of mines were destroyed,” he added.

Communication and information director at the ministry Boualam Madi said the successful mine clearance operations came as a result of big efforts made by the National Popular Army.

This achievement shows that Algeria respects its international commitments including Article 5 of the Ottawa Convention on the destruction of anti-personnel mines in mined areas.

The second phase mine clearance operation was inaugurated by President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in December 2014.

Mines hit 2,800 people after the independence added to more than 4,000 martyrs killed during the liberation war.