Libyan authorities have managed to dismantle two tons of explosives, mines, and remnants of war from the Al-Hira region, in the west of the country.
The Office of Explosives Dismantling of the Technical Affairs Department of the Criminal Investigation Agency carried out a wide sweeping campaign in the Gharyan and Jafara areas.
The statement added that a specialized team continues to destroy the large number of explosives that were found over two consecutive days.
Last month, the Oil Crescent Security Directorate in Libya announced that it had removed a large amount of explosives and remnants of war in Brega, following a landmine explosion. It pointed to the presence of explosives on a beach extending between the third and second districts of Brega city.
A team from the General Directorate of Explosives Detection and Disarmament entered the city to remove the explosives along the seashore. This is in cooperation with the Oil Crescent Security Directorate, and the Sirte Oil and Gas Manufacturing Company.
The statement added that the security team began operations to survey the target area, and discovered a large group of explosives, remnants of war, and landmines.
In April, Human Rights Watch (HRW) announced that at least 130 people, mostly civilians, have been killed by landmines and abandoned or unexploded ordnance in Libya since June 2020.
It called on the Libyan government, and its international partners to intensify efforts to clear landmines in and around Tripoli.
Since 2019, landmines and other explosive ordnance have contaminated 720 million square meters in southern Tripoli. These have caused the deaths and displacement of thousands of residents, the mine action center reported. In addition to about 200 recorded injuries.
Officials from the government, the UN, and civic groups told HRW that, “impediments to clearing contaminated areas included fragmented governance, and insufficient coordination among government agencies and humanitarian groups.
Efforts have also been hindered by the lack of a centralized data-gathering system, inadequate capacities among some deminers, and funding shortfalls for equipment and training.”
HRW warned that “landmines and explosive remnants of war result not only in direct loss of life and property, but also cause reverberating harm that undermines basic human rights. Individuals who carry out serious violations of the laws of war – including use of antipersonnel mines – with criminal intent are responsible for war crimes.”