United States of America Continues Support for ITF ERW Removal Activities in Serbia
On 8 October 2026, representatives of the US Embassy in Serbia, the Serbian Mine Action Centre (SMAC), and other stakeholders visited the ongoing BAC operations in Rakovica. The visit highlighted the progress of ongoing clearance activities and the continued support for efforts to address explosive remnants of war (ERW) contamination in the country.
Serbia continues to address the lasting consequences of past conflicts, particularly the contamination of land with ERW. The project activities in Rakovica are taking place in a wider populated residential area where a military warehouse was struck during the NATO bombing campaign in 1999. The impact caused stored ordnance to be scattered vastly across the surrounding areas. Unexploded ordnance (UXO) was subsequently discovered during the construction of local housing and regularly reported by residents, highlighting the continuous risks posed by explosive ordnance contamination.
Activities are currently being implemented across three project areas: Rakovica 3, Rakovica 4 and Rakovica 5. Field operations under the Rakovica 3 project commenced in July 2026 and completed in September 2026. During the BAC operations, a total of 336,100 square meters were cleared, resulting in the discovery and removal of 802 items of unexploded ordnance. Clearance activities have since expanded and are ongoing on two other project areas, targeting clearance of additional 712,600 square meters, contributing to the reduction of explosive hazards and improved safety for local communities. These activities have been made possible through the continued and dedicated funding of the United States, supported by funds of Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Korea, contributing to efforts to reduce explosive hazards and improve safety for local communities, enabling development, reconstruction and investments.
During the visit, Alexander Titolo, Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy in Belgrade, announced an additional USD 1.5 million in US funding for conventional weapons destruction (CWD) activities in Serbia, including UXO clearance through BAC.
With this latest contribution announcement, total US funding allocated to CWD activities in Serbia in 2026 will reach USD 8.1 million. The additional funding will support the completion of ongoing clearance activities in Rakovica, including additional project tasks Rakovica 1 and 2, as well as further BAC operations in other contaminated areas across Serbia. The continued support of the United States represents an important contribution to addressing the aftermath of explosive ordnance contamination.
The Director of SMAC, Bojan Glamočlija, has confirmed the positive results of the work of the project. More than 830 items of UXO have been discovered thus far, including grenades, hand grenades, mortar rounds, and other explosive ordnance. The clearance of the contaminated area will contribute to improved safety, enable the safe use of land, and support the future development of the Municipality of Rakovica, benefiting its residents and local communities. Continued US support will therefore contribute to improving the long-term recovery and development of affected areas throughout Serbia.