Landmines in Egypt
Egypt has unique landmine and UXO problems. First, a huge area of land
is affected - some estimates put the total at about 25,000 sq kilometres.
Second, the age of much of the material: up to 60 years. Third, much of
the mines and UXO is covered by thick deposits of mud or sand so that
conventional detection techniques are often of little value.
Broadly speaking the area west of Cairo (El Qahira) was contaminated
as a result of hostilities between 1940 and 1943 involving Britain and
its allies (including Egyptian forces) fighting German and Italian forces
for control of North Africa.
The areas to the east, including the Sinai peninsula were contaminated
between 1956 and 1973 due to hostilities between Egypt and Israel.
The climate is extremely unpleasant for deminers. Temperatures to 55
degrees Celcius are common. The conditions are either dusty and sandy
or muddy along the coast: sometimes both. The muddy areas and marshes
are particularly difficult to deal with as it is often impossible to stand
in the mud. These areas are now being reclaimed for ports and tourism
development so demining is becoming an urgent priority for the government.
All demining work is handled by the Military Engineering Organisation,
a division of the Defence Ministry in Cairo. Until recently, all aspects
of minefields and demining have been classified. However, the Egyptian
government is now pursuing a more open policy, recognising that information
is needed to help secure assistance. As a result of this, we are able
to present photographs and detailed descriptions of minefield problems.
Detailed report on Technology Needs
(restricted access - E-mail request)
Photo Album - Pictures from the Western Desert
Minefields
The detailed report is also available:
Acrobat PDF document (1.8 Mb): EgyptRpt2.pdf
(restricted access - E-mail request)
EGYPT
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