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Is This A Land Mine? Is This A Land Mine?
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Morocco Topics specific to Morocco, including Western Sahara west of the berm
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 28 Apr 2017
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Is This A Land Mine?
Can anyone out there please confirm whether or not the image below is of a landmine?
Is This A Land Mine?-_dsc1325_edited-1.jpg
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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Jump up and down on it, that should confirm things one way or another. Be sure and come back to post your findings!

Seriously though, I'm guessing if the answer is 'yes' we've got an interesting story here.
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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I asked the 'navo' if she would do that while I took the photo but,she was'nt keen even despite the positive weight loss attraction
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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Anti-tank mine 35 cm diameter
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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Err stay away from it , anti tank mines usually have anti personal mines sown near them to deter removal and some will have anti handling devices underneath them . Mark it s position on a map and leave well be . I certainly would not be wiping debris off the top that sort of rubbish is for films only..... Trust me mine clearance used to be my job
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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This photo was taken in what looks like a caravanserai/meeting/market place on the LHS of the road on a slope going North into Abteh.

It is an extremely interesting looking complex near to and clearly visible from the road. It looks exactly like similar complexes in Iran so my wife and I went to explore it. It is completely unfenced and unmarked for mines. We drove our Defender through the gates and around the complex which has many points of interest.We then parked the car and had a walk around. My wife spotted this one in the middle of an access road to the SW part of the complex and we subsequently found two more in the track whilst on foot which had probably been uncovered by wind.

It is a beautiful,intriguing place. We were lucky.DO NOT GO THERE!!!!

Does anyone have contacts to inform suitable authorities?
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Old 28 Apr 2017
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Wow I know the place and nearly turned around to have a look. Best people to report to are the police in Abteh or UN in Smara I guess


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Old 29 Apr 2017
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Ouch. This is on the Moroccan side, and close to the road then?
And no warning signs?
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ab...8!4d-11.448821
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Old 29 Apr 2017
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From Tony's description it's a group of old building west of the road maybe 5km south of Abteh


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Old 29 Apr 2017
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We were around the East side of Abteh for a couple of days trying to get across to Msied via Gandini route but eventually had to turn back at a wet wadi with to much rock moving to do for one vehicle only. And this has usually meant further bad crossings to follow so we went North to Msied via tarmac
But did hear some very interesting howling during the night that was not fox or dog. Do the wolves and jackels come this far North of Aswerd area?

We tried twice at the police post in Abteh to report the mines but it was unmanned on both occassions.
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Old 29 Apr 2017
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Is this it? http://tinyurl.com/koxdu7y

or this? http://tinyurl.com/jvujs2u

I have a waypoint for the second one as an abandoned army camp, but Google Maps reckons it's a tourist camp

I'm really surprised at this as Morocco is considered free of landmines with the exception of Western Sahara. I presume MINURSO won't be interested as it's not in WS.

Keep you and Jan safe!
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Old 29 Apr 2017
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I think we should clarify exactly where these 3 mines were seen, assuming that's what they are (Chris G?) and then spread the word. Tony can you pinpoint the spots?

It's only 20km from the old WS border, and the Jebel Ouarkaziz directly east has many former front-line emplacements, berms and installations.

I emailed Gandini/Extreme Sud - they ought to spread the word in France.
I also notified wuestenschiff.de [acknowledged May 2nd]. I know one German Sahara forum used to keep a landmines database.
I will also mention it in the upcoming edition of MO.

On GE there are several photos at both locations Tim gives - both have odd, klin-like huts. Just like Tony, passing travellers like to explore or camp at such curiosities (it seems Budapest Rally did so in 2009 at the southern one).
Last edited by Chris Scott; 4 May 2017 at 20:25.
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Old 29 Apr 2017
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Is This A Land Mine?
The locations Tims linked are where I assume it is.

Lots of Fuel Stations Chris I counted 5 just into the WS side


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Old 30 Apr 2017
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Is This A Land Mine?-_dsc1321-1.jpg

The complex in question is the one in the first of Tim Cullis' Google link.

In the photos the LR is parked in the access gate of the NE compound.

The other two are in the NW compound close to where the mines are.

Using Tim's approx co-ords for the mines would be N27.882257-W11.490838.

In the photo of the single hive you should be able to see the new road construction embankment in the valley in the background.
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Is This A Land Mine?-_dsc1316-1.jpg  

Is This A Land Mine?-_dsc1317_edited-1-1.jpg  

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  #15  
Old 30 Apr 2017
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To answer your question, in the first instance I would approach the Gendarmerie Royal. The Gendarmerie is a paramilitary organisation attached to the army, rather than being a pure police force like the Sûreté Nationale.

In case your photo isn't obvious to them, the French expression is 'mine terrestre'.
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