January 22, AFP – Ukrainian government officials received landmine clearance training in Cambodia’s Battambang province on the 19th. The training was conducted by the Japanese government in collaboration with the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC).

Cambodia’s nearly 30-year civil war ended in 1998, but work to clear landmines that were buried at that time is still ongoing. The country is one of the world’s leading minefields.

During the training, 15 Ukrainian government officials learned how to use landmine detectors and other equipment, as well as how to use animals to detect landmines.

The use of anti-personnel landmines is banned under a 1997 international treaty, signed by more than 130 countries. However, Russia is not a party to this treaty.

Human Rights Watch says Russia has used at least seven types of landmines since the beginning of its invasion of Ukraine.

“We will train in Cambodia for one week. After that, we will continue training online and prepare for demining in Ukraine,” CMAC deputy director Oum Phumro told reporters.

Cambodia plans to send up to four people to Poland by the end of the year to continue training Ukrainian officials. (c)AFP/Suy SE