Landmines remain one of the most persistent and deadly remnants of war. Decades after conflicts end, these hidden explosives continue to claim lives, destroy livelihoods, and prevent communities from rebuilding. Today, more than 60 countries around the world are contaminated by landmines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW).
At 4M Defense, we believe this global challenge demands a smarter, more agile response. Our mission is to transform how the world approaches land release, starting with the most underutilized yet essential phase of mine action the Non-Technical Survey (NTS).
By combining LAND INTELLIGENCE, data-driven prioritization, and field-based operational insight, we help partners release more land, more quickly, and at a lower cost. Whether for humanitarian, agricultural, or industrial purposes, 4M Defense is committed to bringing land back to life safely, strategically, and sustainably.
Understanding the Global Impact of Landmines
According to the Landmine Monitor and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), tens of millions of landmines are still buried in the ground across continents from Africa to Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.
Each year, thousands of people are killed or injured by landmines, the vast majority being civilians. Children, farmers, and herders are among the most common victims. Beyond the human toll, landmine contamination also has devastating effects on agriculture, infrastructure development, and economic recovery.
Landmines restrict access to fertile lands, block the construction of roads and energy projects, and force displaced populations to remain in unsafe or unproductive regions.
The Most Landmine-Affected Countries in the World
While dozens of nations are affected, some countries face particularly severe contamination. Here are some of the regions most impacted by landmines globally:
- Afghanistan – One of the most heavily mined countries due to decades of war. Mines continue to pose threats to rural populations and impede development.
- Cambodia – Still recovering from the Khmer Rouge regime and subsequent conflicts, Cambodia has millions of mines scattered across agricultural land.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – The Balkan wars of the 1990s left vast areas contaminated. Thousands of mines remain in forests, fields, and near villages.
- Angola – After its long civil war, Angola became one of the most mine-contaminated countries in Africa, with mines preventing safe resettlement and farming.
- Iraq – Ongoing conflicts and ISIS-era explosives continue to threaten millions of civilians and hinder reconstruction efforts.
- Ukraine – Recent conflicts have made Ukraine one of the most heavily mined countries in Europe, with millions of people living in contaminated zones.
- Syria – Years of war left large swathes of territory, particularly in the north and along borders, contaminated by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and mines.
- Israel and the Golan Heights – Among the Middle East’s most complex contamination zones, where decades of conflict have left a legacy of hidden danger.
Let’s take a closer look at the situation in Israel and the Golan Heights regions where 4M Defense’s mission of smarter, data-driven land release is especially relevant.
Israel: Landmines at the Crossroads of History and Security
Israel’s landscape carries deep historical, cultural, and religious significance but beneath that soil lies another layer of history: remnants of decades of conflict.
1. Historical Background
Israel’s landmine contamination stems primarily from wars fought between 1948 and 1973, including the Arab-Israeli War, the Six-Day War, and the Yom Kippur War. During these conflicts, both Israeli and opposing forces used landmines extensively for defense.
Over time, many minefields were forgotten, poorly marked, or left undocumented. Today, thousands of mines remain buried across the country, particularly along:
- The Golan Heights
- The Jordan Valley
- The Arava region (along the Jordanian border)
- Areas near Jerusalem and the West Bank
2. Human and Environmental Impact
For decades, these mines have restricted access to farmland, grazing areas, and tourist sites. In some cases, children or hikers have accidentally entered unmarked minefields, leading to tragic accidents.
The presence of landmines also limits environmental conservation and development. In the Jordan Valley, for example, fertile lands remain unusable. Minefields also disrupt the natural movement of wildlife and impede conservation efforts in ecologically sensitive zones.
3. Israel’s Mine Clearance Efforts
In 2011, Israel passed the Minefield Clearance Law, establishing the Israel National Mine Action Authority (INMAA). Since then, significant progress has been made in clearing minefields, especially in areas of humanitarian and economic importance.
However, challenges remain especially in politically sensitive or rugged terrains such as the Golan Heights, where environmental, military, and logistical complexities intersect.
The Golan Heights: A Land of Strategic Importance and Lingering Danger
1. The Context
The Golan Heights, a strategic plateau bordering Syria, Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, is one of the most heavily mined areas in the Middle East. Following conflicts between Israel and Syria particularly the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973) vast minefields were laid across this region.
The terrain remains littered with anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, as well as unexploded ordnance (UXO).
2. The Scale of Contamination
Experts estimate that tens of thousands of landmines remain scattered across the Golan Heights, covering large tracts of agricultural land, nature reserves, and areas adjacent to civilian communities. Many minefields are poorly marked or have shifted over time due to erosion, floods, or construction activities increasing the risks to local populations.
3. Humanitarian and Development Challenges
The contamination of the Golan Heights poses several challenges:
- Agriculture: Farmers are unable to access fertile plots that could support crops or livestock.
- Tourism: The Golan Heights is a region of stunning natural beauty, but landmines restrict safe access to hiking trails and heritage sites.
- Infrastructure Development: The laying of new roads, energy lines, and water systems is slowed or blocked by mine contamination.
4. Regional Security Dynamics
The Golan Heights remains a strategically sensitive area, with ongoing security tensions between Israel and neighboring Syria. This has complicated clearance operations, as certain zones remain under military control or within security buffers.
Nonetheless, humanitarian clearance remains critical. Each cleared hectare brings communities closer to safety, opens land for agriculture, and strengthens stability along the border.
4M Defense: Smarter, Data-Driven Land Release
At 4M Defense, we see regions like Israel and the Golan Heights as examples of why traditional demining approaches are no longer enough.
The legacy of mine contamination is not just a technical problem it’s a data problem. Historical records, field reports, and satellite imagery all hold clues to where mines are most likely to be found. But without proper integration and analysis, that information remains underutilized.
Our Approach
4M Defense applies LAND INTELLIGENCE an integrated system that combines:
- Non-Technical Survey (NTS) data
- Geospatial intelligence
- Historical conflict mapping
- Field verification and prioritization
This approach allows us to pinpoint where contamination is most likely, prioritize the most critical areas for clearance, and dramatically reduce time and cost per hectare released.
Why It Matters
For national authorities and humanitarian organizations, this means more effective land release and greater humanitarian impact.
For governments and investors, it means earlier, safer access to land needed for agriculture, renewable energy, and infrastructure projects.
Ultimately, our mission is to help unlock the full potential of land safely, strategically, and sustainably.
The Humanitarian Imperative: From Fear to Freedom
Landmines are not just remnants of past wars they are barriers to future peace. Every cleared minefield represents a field that can grow food, a road that can connect communities, or a home that can be safely built.
By integrating technology, data, and field expertise, 4M Defense empowers nations to transition from reactive clearance to proactive land management a future where contaminated land becomes productive, valuable, and life-sustaining once again.
Conclusion
The global struggle against landmines is far from over. Countries like Israel and regions like the Golan Heights remind us that long after the guns fall silent, the danger beneath the surface remains.
But with smart technologies, advanced surveying, and LAND INTELLIGENCE at the core of modern mine action, we can accelerate progress and reduce costs turning danger zones into opportunities for peace and growth.
At 4M Defense, we bring together innovation and field expertise to achieve one clear mission: to bring land back to life, faster and smarter.