Vitez Declared Mine-Free
On 14 May 2026, the Municipality of Vitez in central Bosnia and Herzegovina has officially been declared mine-free, marking a significant milestone in the long-term effort to remove the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance and restore safety to local communities.
This achievement reflects more than 25 years of sustained humanitarian demining, supported by the United States of America and ITF, and implemented in close cooperation with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Centre (BHMAC), local authorities, and international and national partners engaged in clearance operations.
An important contribution in the final phase was made by the Mine Detection Dog Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina (MDDC), whose teams carried out demining activities in partnership with ITF as part of the final Land Release project, releasing more than 2.4 million square meters.
Mine action activities in Vitez began in 1999, when approximately five square kilometers of land were identified as suspected to be contaminated with mines. Since then, more than 1,000 explosive items, including mines and UXO, have been safely removed. Step by step, these efforts have reduced risk for the population and enabled the gradual return of land to safe and productive use.
For the people of Vitez, mine-free status represents a concrete change in daily life. Areas that were once unsafe to access can now be used for farming, forestry, and local infrastructure development. It also opens space for economic recovery, improved mobility, and long-term community planning, helping families and municipalities move forward after years of restricted land use and uncertainty.
Beyond the immediate local impact, mine clearance in Vitez contributes to broader regional stability and recovery. Safer land supports sustainable development, strengthens public safety, and reduces long-term humanitarian and economic burdens on communities. It also reflects shared international commitments to protecting civilian lives, enabling post-conflict recovery, and reinforcing conditions for long-term peace and stability in the region.
A formal ceremony marking the declaration of a mine-free municipality was held on 14 May 2026. The event brought together key partners and local representatives, including Mr. Boris Marjanović, Mayor of the Municipality of Vitez; Ms. Kelly Matanin, Program Manager for Europe at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs; Mr. Enis Horozović, Director of BHMAC; representatives of the U.S. Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina; MDDC representatives; and ITF Enhancing Human Security.
ITF extends its sincere appreciation to the United States of America for its long-standing support, as well as to BHMAC, local authorities, and all partners involved in the clearance process. The declaration of Vitez as mine-free is a major step forward for the municipality and a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of a safer, mine-free Bosnia and Herzegovina.
