Minefields in Jordan
Jordan has a very different landmine problem to most other countries. The problem
is confined mainly to border minefields laid by Jordanian forces during Arab-Israeli
conflicts between the 1950's and 1980's. Jordanian laid minefields are present
along the Jordan valley, the northern border with Syria. In the south there
are minefields laid by occupying Israeli forces in the 1967 war.
The main priorities for clearance are the Jordan valley minefields which are
denying access to valuable agricultural land. These minefields are accurately
known and marked (except for a few minefields laid under fire in forward battle
areas). The mines within them were laid in precise patterns, relative to steel
marker posts. However, it has proved to be difficult to clear these minefields.
The mines are minimum metal mines, particularly the American made M14
and M19 mines which are amoung the most difficult to detect. A proportion
of the mines have moved because of flooding or erosion, and many have become
deeply buried.
Jordan is the classic answer to any military establishment which claims they
can lay mines and recover 100% of them.
We have a technical report which describes the minefields in detail and the
technical problems faced by deminers. We suggest that some mining technologies
(particularly sand mining) may be useful to reduce the cost of clearance.
We also have a page of photographs of Jordan valley
minefields.
Queen Noor has veen very active in promoting the landmine cause, particularly
in her home country. Jordan receives US assistance for removing landmines, and
several innovations have been tried. However, the problems are extremely challenging.
Casualty rates are modest, but significant in a relatively small population.
About half of the casualties have been military personnel removing the mines.
For full details, refer to the technical report.
This is based on a visit in September 1999 for about 10 days, and briefings
by others who have experience of demining in Jordan.
The report is also available as a PDF document with
photographs compressed (1 Mb) or with original
photographs (12 Mb).
The following photographs show some typical terrain, mines and protective equipment
worn by the deminers.
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| Deminer shows M19 anti-tank mine. |
Load distribution reduces the risk of activating M14 antipersonnel mines.
Manual probing is the main method for finding them |
Body armour protects against fragmentation (torso only). Arms and legs
are unprotected, yet would be vulnerable in blast mine prodding accidents. |
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