Chinese peacekeepers to Lebanon launch mine clearance operation

(ECNS) -- The 19th Chinese peacekeeping multi-functional engineer detachment to Lebanon launched a mine clearance operation in a dense forest along the "Blue Line", a temporary cease-fire zone along the Lebanese-Israeli border.

"You can see a warning sign for a minefield. The entire area is estimated to be more than 10,000 square meters laid by Israel during the 3rd Middle East War in 1989. According to the information sent to us and the current clearance situation, there are probably over 1,000 Israeli IV anti-infantry mines," said Yang Dong, mine clearance commander of the 19th Chinese Peacekeeping force to Lebanon

The dense vegetation and fallen trees around the minefield make the task of mine clearance dangerous and difficult.

How to accomplish the task quickly and safely?

"When you dig, pressure on the tree root can be fed back to the mine. We avoid the tree root and dig a hole on the side," Yang said.

During more than 60 working days, Chinese peacekeepers to Lebanon cleared more than 620 mines with an area of over 2,700 square meters.