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On the Occasion of the International Day for Mine Awareness – April 4

Every year on April 4, the United Nations marks the International Day for Mine Awareness to raise global attention about the dangers posed by landmines and unexploded ordnance in conflict-affected areas. To mark the occasion, the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights is releasing a statistical report documenting mine victims in Iran during 2024. The findings show that at least 57 civilians were killed or injured by landmine explosions in the country over the past year.

According to data recorded by Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Center, at least 19 people were killed and 38 others injured or maimed by landmines and unexploded ordnance in Iran’s border regions throughout 2024.

The landmines responsible include both remnants from the eight-year Iran-Iraq war and new mines laid in recent years by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Children made up 16% of the victims, and 40% of the total casualties were Kurds. There was also a significant rise in mine victims in the border regions of Sistan and Baluchestan, with 30% of total victims in 2024 being Afghan nationals.

Among the victims were at least five children under the age of 18 and four women. These included three Baloch children and one Baloch woman, two Arab children and one Arab woman, and two Kurdish women.

Geographical distribution of  Mine Victims

In 2024, the highest number of mine casualties was recorded in Sistan and Baluchestan with 24 cases, including IRGC members and Afghan nationals. Kermanshah Province also saw 11 cases.

 • Sistan and Baluchestan: 24 (11 killed, 13 injured)
 • Ilam: 8 (2 killed, 6 injured)
 • Kermanshah: 11 (3 killed, 8 injured)
 • Kurdistan (Sanandaj): 3 (1 killed, 2 injured)
 • Khuzestan: 5 (1 killed, 4 injured)
 • West Azerbaijan (Urmia): 6 (1 killed, 5 injured)

 

Mine victims by socioeconomic and occupational status

The most affected group were Afghan refugees, followed by ordinary civilians, fuel carriers (Sukhtbars), and laborers.

 • Afghan refugees: 14 (6 killed, 8 injured)
 • Ordinary civilians: 12 (3 killed, 9 injured)
 • Fuel carriers (Sukhtbars): 10 (4 killed, 6 injured)
 • Laborers: 7 (4 killed, 3 injured)
 • Military personnel: 6 (1 killed, 5 injured)
 • Kolbars (border porters): 5 (all injured)
 • Livestock herders: 2 (1 killed, 1 injured)
 • Farmers: 1 (injured)

Mine victims by ethnic/national minorities

Kurds accounted for the largest share of mine victims in 2024, followed by Afghan and Balochs.
 • Kurds: 23 (6 killed, 17 injured)
 • Afghans: 17 (9 killed, 8 injured)
 • Baloch: 8 (2 killed, 6 injured)
 • Arabs: 5 (1 killed, 4 injured)
 • Unknown: 4 (1 killed, 3 injured)

23 Kurds killed or injured by landmines in 2024

According to Hengaw’s data, at least 23 Kurds were killed or injured in 2024 by landmine explosions in the provinces of Ilam, Kermanshah, Kurdistan (Sanandaj), and West Azerbaijan (Urmia). Six of these victims died and 17 were injured or disabled, accounting for 40% of all mine victims in Iran.

Among the Kurdish victims were two women, one of whom died as a result of her injuries.

Breakdown by province:
 • Kermanshah: 11
 • West Azerbaijan (Urmia): 6
 • Ilam: 3
 • Kurdistan (Sanandaj): 3

17 Afghan nationals killed or injured by landmines in 2024

At least 17 Afghan nationals, representing 30% of all mine casualties, were killed or injured in Iran’s border areas in 2024. Of these, 9 were killed and 8 were injured or maimed.

The victims included 14 Afghan refugees (6 of whom were killed) and 3 fuel carriers, all of whom lost their lives in mine incidents.

Hengaw’s investigation reveals that in addition to legacy mines from the Iran-Iraq war, the Islamic Republic of Iran has in recent years planted new landmines under the pretext of countering Kurdish and Baloch opposition parties.
The rising number of mine victims in Kurdistan (Sanandaj), Urmia (West Azerbaijan), and Sistan and Baluchestan is a direct result of this security-driven policy.