RASC News Agency: The Taliban have announced their collaboration with the demining charity organization Halo Trust to identify and clear landmines left behind by decades of conflict, including those they themselves planted over the past two decades. Callum Peebles, Program Manager at Halo Trust, shared an incident where his team received reports about an improvised explosive device (IED) under a bridge on a major road. Upon arriving at the location, a Taliban member present pointed out the device, admitting, “This is the one I planted.” He subsequently indicated additional sites, stating, “We placed them there, over there, and also in that location.”
Peebles described the encounter as a “profoundly significant moment,” highlighting the critical value of such firsthand information in demining operations. He stressed that the Taliban have shown no hesitation in providing detailed accounts of the mines they laid during the conflict. Afghanistan remains one of the world’s most mine-contaminated countries, where landmines and explosive remnants of war continue to pose grave risks. According to recent reports, approximately 60 children are killed or injured each month due to landmines or other unexploded ordnance.
Halo Trust, active in 25 of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces, has so far destroyed over 800,000 landmines. The organization also provides vital humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, including floods and landslides. Peebles further noted that Halo Trust has engaged directly with IED manufacturers, gaining crucial insights into the design, placement, and deployment of these explosives. He emphasized that this initiative represents a vital step toward mitigating the risks faced by civilians across the country.
This collaboration signifies a notable milestone in addressing the enduring dangers left by Afghanistan’s protracted conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for safer communities in the future.
