Local and International Efforts to Eliminate Landmines in the Arab World and the Challenges they Face

The problem of landmines is considered one of the most escalating humanitarian and security challenges in the Arab world as a result of successive wars from the Second World War until the present day. Landmines are spread over areas estimated at tens of thousands of square kilometres, and their number reaches tens of millions of mines and explosive devices. This study seeks to evaluate and analyze the effectiveness of international and national efforts aimed at mine clearance, while also examining the role that Islamic law can play in promoting social awareness and supporting the prohibition of their use. The study adopts a descriptive, analytical, and comparative methodology through an examination of official statistics issued by United Nations reports concerned with mine action and a comparison of these data with reports issued by affected Arab states, with the aim of identifying gaps and common challenges. The findings show that Arab countries suffer annually from thousands of victims and financial losses estimated at billions of dollars as a result of clearance operations and the disruption of agricultural land and infrastructure. The analysis also reveals a clear slowdown in the pace of demining in most affected countries due to a lack of funding, limited technical capabilities, and the continuation of security threats in conflict areas. From a Sharia perspective, the study demonstrates that the objectives of Islamic law, especially the protection of life and property, provide a strong foundation for supporting the ethical and jurisprudential prohibition of landmine use and encourage the financing of clearance programs, as well as the care and rehabilitation of victims.