Croatia Declares Itself Completely Landmine-Free

Croatia has officially declared itself completely free of landmines, marking the end of a three-decade effort to clear the deadly legacy of the 1991-1995 Croatian War of Independence. Approximately two million mines were laid during the conflict, and every single one has now been found and removed — a monumental achievement in humanitarian demining.

The Croatian War of Independence, fought between 1991 and 1995, left the country scarred with one of Europe's densest concentrations of landmines. The mines were laid across agricultural land, forests, and the outskirts of towns and villages, rendering vast areas of the country dangerous and unusable for decades after the fighting ended. Civilians continued to be killed and maimed by mines long after the peace agreements were signed.

“Approximately two million mines were laid during the conflict, and every single one has now been found and removed — a monumental achievement in humanitarian demining.”

Interior Minister Davor Božinović described the milestone as "a fulfilled moral obligation" to the Croatian people. The statement reflects the deep significance of this achievement for a nation where landmines were not just a safety hazard but a daily reminder of the trauma of war. Clearing the mines has restored land to communities, enabled economic development, and removed a psychological burden that affected millions of citizens.

The demining effort required decades of painstaking work by specialized teams using a combination of manual clearance, mechanical equipment, and mine detection dogs. Croatia developed significant expertise in demining technology and methodology during this process, becoming a recognized global leader in the field.

In a powerful act of solidarity, Croatia has donated de-mining robots to Ukraine, which faces its own massive landmine contamination from the ongoing conflict. By sharing its technology and expertise, Croatia is helping another war-affected nation begin the long journey toward mine clearance that it has just completed.

Croatia's achievement serves as both a celebration and a cautionary tale. While it demonstrates that complete mine clearance is achievable, the three decades it took to accomplish highlight the devastating long-term consequences of mine warfare. The milestone reinforces the case for the international Mine Ban Treaty and the urgent need to prevent new minefields from being laid in conflicts around the world.