Anti-personnel Mines Research Articles

GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE SEARCH AND DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE IN THE CONDITIONS OF HIGH CONTAMINATION OF THE AREA WITH METAL FRAGMENTS

Currently, the enemy is using new mining tactics, when other sources of danger are additionally installed during mining, in particular with anti-personnel mines (APMs). This leads to accidents among sappers during operational demining. Therefore, there is an urgent problem of determining the procedure for searching for UXOs when the area is highly contaminated with metal fragments. An analysis of specialized literature has shown that the problem of searching, detecting and identifying UXOs both on land and in the water is the subject of close attention by both military specialists and researchers. Considerable attention has been paid to the testing and evaluation of metal detectors. However, the issue of searching for UXOs in highly contaminated areas with metal fragments, especially in areas of combat operations, has not been covered. The purpose of this article is to determine the procedure for organizing and conducting search and detection operations for UXOs in a highly contaminated area with nearby mines and metal fragments. At the same time, the risk of an emergency should be minimized. In this study, taking into account the fact of an increase in the number of accidents among deminers, it is proposed to adhere to the following recommendations when searching for and detecting UXOs in a highly contaminated area with metal fragments every working day before the start of the search for UXO, calibrate the metal detector to ensure confidence in the ability of the metal detector to distinguish between signals from the source of the hazard and nearby targets. Record the calibration of each metal detector in the calibration log; it is recommended to carry out work on the search for UXO using a metal detector within a 1-meter wide clearance strip using a base rail; it is recommended to mark the source of the hazardous signal along the edge of the search element of the metal detector, rather than determine the center of the signal; when searching for UXOs with high contamination of the area with metal fragments, it is recommended not to use probes, but to excavate the soil around the marked UXO using a shovel (scraper).

Detection of anti-personnel mines of the “leg breakers” type by analyzing thermographic images captured from a drone at different heights

A method for the detection of plastic anti-personnel mines called “ leg breakers ” is presented from images of the ground acquired remotely by a drone at heights between 1 and 5 m. The proposal achieved an accuracy of 92.13 % and a sensitivity of 82.4 % when evaluating the performance on 260 test images, a number higher than that used in previous works, and with mines buried in real terrain with the presence of vegetation. The above on images acquired on different dates with different environmental conditions and soil moisture. In addition, it was found that the method was adapted to three different thermographic cameras, being necessary only to adjust the gamma parameter associated with the thermal contrast enhancement technique used. It was corroborated that mines are easier to detect to the extent that they are buried more superficially, and when the flight height of the drone is between 1 and 2 m. Finally, it is highlighted that the proposal has the potential to be executed in processing systems onboard the drone, thanks to its algorithmic simplicity.

An analytical model of a pulse signal reflected from a small-sized object located in the covering layer

Formulation of the problem. Existing methods and devices implementing them do not provide the required probability of correct detection and a low level of false alarms when detecting and recognizing anti-personnel and anti-tank mines in the ground. Based on this, there is currently an objective need to solve the urgent scientific task of improving the scientific and methodological apparatus for detecting and recognizing small-sized objects located in the covering layer. Purpose. Improving the scientific and methodological apparatus for detecting and recognizing subsurface targets by refining the analytical model of a pulse signal reflected from a small-sized object located in the covering layer. Results. A refined analytical model of a pulse signal reflected from a small-sized object located in the covering layer is proposed. The results of mathematical modeling and assessment of the adequacy of the obtained model are presented. Practical significance. The results obtained can be used in the synthesis of algorithms for the search, detection and recognition of small objects located in the covering layer.

Statistical and Predictive Analysis of Data on Events, Victims and Humanitarian Demining of Antipersonnel Mines (APM) in Colombia

La presente investigación tiene como objetivo analizar los datos registrados sobre los eventos, casos de víctimas y desminado humanitario de minas antipersonal (MAP), artefactos explosivos improvisados (AEI) con características de minas antipersonal y municiones sin explotar (MUSE) en Colombia. Tiene un enfoque cuantitativo que se basó en el diseño longitudinal evolutivo. Por su parte, respecto a la minería de los datos se empleó la metodología Knowledge Discovery in Databases(KDD). La fuente principal de esta información fue el Departamento Administrativo de la Presidencia de la República (DAPRE), que da cuenta de 12.390 víctimas de minas antipersonales, en su mayoría hombres mayores de edad, siendo el 81% afectados por heridas y 19% fallecidos. Según esta información se puede decir que las operaciones de desminado humanitario se concentran en departamentos como Antioquia, Meta y Santander; y se estima que Colombia tiene un territorio contaminado por minas antipersonal (MAP) de alrededor de 46.024.965 m2; mientras se han despejado cerca de 13.631.728 m2. Al comparar los esfuerzos han llegado a 29.62% de área despejada en actividades u operaciones. Las consecuencias de los artefactos incluyen heridas y muertes, pero el impacto abarca dimensiones físicas, psicológicas, sociales y económicas en las comunidades afectadas. El desplazamiento forzado de la población, debido a la presencia de minas antipersonales, también se destaca como una consecuencia significativa.

Deep learning-based classification of anti-personnel mines and sub-gram metal content in mineralized soil (DL-MMD)

De-mining operations are of critical importance for humanitarian efforts and safety in conflict-affected regions. In this paper, we address the challenge of enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of mine detection systems. We present an innovative Deep Learning architecture tailored for pulse induction-based Metallic Mine Detectors (MMD), so called DL-MMD. Our methodology leverages deep neural networks to distinguish amongst nine distinct materials with an exceptional validation accuracy of 93.5%. This high level of precision enables us not only to differentiate between anti-personnel mines, without metal plates but also to detect minuscule 0.2-g vertical paper pins in both mineralized soil and non-mineralized environments. Moreover, through comparative analysis, we demonstrate a substantial 3% and 7% improvement (approx.) in accuracy performance compared to the traditional K-Nearest Neighbors and Support Vector Machine classifiers, respectively. The fusion of deep neural networks with the pulse induction-based MMD not only presents a cost-effective solution but also significantly expedites decision-making processes in de-mining operations, ultimately contributing to improved safety and effectiveness in these critical endeavors.

The Existence of Antipersonnel Land Mines in Aceh And Impact for Indonesia

Purpose: This study aims to revitalize the memory of many parties regarding the existence of anti-personnel landmines in Aceh which still leaves homework to be completed even though peace is already 19 years old. These deadly objects are still found and threaten people's lives to this day. Indonesia has ratified the 1997 International Antipersonnel Landmine Convention through Law Number 20 of 2006. In fact, Indonesia is bound to implement all the provisions of the convention. Theoretical framework: This study combines a number of general legal principles in international humanitarian law, with reference to the 1997 International Anti-personnel Landmine Convention. Methods: The study method is adopted by combining normative and empirical legal studies, where data collection is carried out in literature and the field, with emphasis on the application of norms in conventions and their implementation in the field as far as can be observed. Results and Conclusions: The results of the study show that the Government of the Republic of Indonesia does not appear to be doing its best to resolve the problems caused by the presence of anti-personnel landmines in Aceh. Research implications: This research is urgently needed as an alternative pattern for resolving the antipersonnel land mine problem that Aceh is experiencing as part of the Republic of Indonesia. Originality/value: The hope is that through this research, the experiences of a number of ASEAN countries will become best practices for the national antipersonnel landmine clearance campaign in Indonesia. ASEAN's involvement is intended to help sustain peace in Aceh in accordance with the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding on August 15 2005 and Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 11 of 2006 concerning the Government of Aceh.

Anti-personnel mine injuries: pulmonary complications may ensue along unanticipated timelines

BackgroundAnti-personnel mine injuries (APMI) confined to the lower limbs (type I) are common, however, their remote effects on the lungs are exceptional. The present study was done to analyze the pulmonary complications following type I mine blast injuries. MethodsAPMI managed between Jan 2020 and Oct 2023 at a military facility in Jammu & Kashmir were audited, focusing upon the pulmonary complications. ResultsTwenty-four males, aged 21–42 yrs, had sustained type I injuries due to accidentally stepping over the mines, during the study period. Six of them (25%) developed pulmonary complications of post-blast lung injury (PBLI) in a delayed timeline, hitherto unseen ie after 36–72 h of injury. Two patients (8%) developed concurrent pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), unexpectedly early, necessitating therapeutic anticoagulation in the immediate postoperative period. ConclusionsPBLI and PTE may follow type I mine blast injuries in an unanticipated timeline. Continued suspicion for timely detection of blast lung and early thromboprophylaxis to prevent PTE is suggested.

Addressing the Proliferation of Anti-Personnel Mines

Anti-personnel mines, first used in World War II, continue to be a persistent threat to life up to today. With technological advances, landmines have been easily deployed and difficult to detect, and an estimated 25,000 km2 is currently considered contaminated with landmines. Widespread in Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq, these landmines have resulted in great humanitarian and economic devastation and continue to do so presently. For example, Egypt witnessed 19 casualties per day due to landmines in 2020. Further, given their low cost and ease of use, non-state armed groups (NSAGs) are currently liberally using landmines. Globally, the estimated cost to clear landmines is around $50-$100 billion, with the countries most affected unable to afford these costs. In this study, we discuss the history of use, efforts to curb, and current deployment of landmines. The economic factors connected with anti-personnel mine use are discussed, including the cost associated with procuring and clearing landmines. The multifaceted ways that landmines impact economic growth are detailed, including the cost of emergency and long-term medical care, loss of infrastructure and farmland, and barriers to accessing education, health care, and employment. The study particularly focuses on Afghanistan, Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq, Myanmar and Russia. The role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in assisting victims, building awareness, and supporting governments is discussed. Events from 1939 to the current day are examined, as are the relevant UN treaties and events from the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, 1997, to the present United Nations Mine Action Strategy (2019-2023). The treaties are discussed in the context of their effectiveness and impact, particularly on NSAGs. Several proposed solutions are presented and examined for their potential feasibility and effectiveness, including awareness building, technological approaches and international coordination. There is an urgent need to bring landmines to our conversation in order to address their continuing threat, and this study aims to do the same.

PECULIARITIES OF THE OPERATION OF ATTACHMENTS WITH CHAINS INTENDED FOR DEMINING. APPROACHES TO THEIR TESTING

The article is dedicated to the review of certain aspects related to humanitarian demining and the testing of equipment used for this purpose In particular, the publication describes the following: the characteristics of the operation of attachments equipped with a shaft with chains and intended for demining; the results of the impact of attachments on explosive objects; approaches to improve the efficiency of the preparation and testing of attachments with a shaft with chains.
 The operation of attachment chains is considered in the conditions of simultaneous action of various forces.
 These include inertia, centrifugal force, centripetal force, gravity and soil (sand, gravel) resistance.
 The article contains a classification of the types of attachment chain weight impact on mine detonators, as well as the results of the impact of these types of impact. This indicates possible reasons for the lack of mine detonation in direct contact with the chains or when exposed to the soil column.
 The article also provides practical advice on selecting, positioning and installing anti-tank and anti-personnel mines at the test site. These tips are aimed at testing humanitarian demining machines or individual attachments under more realistic conditions.
 The approaches described in this article are based on the study of the physical processes involved in the interaction (counteraction) of various forces, the provision of information materials in the field of humanitarian demining, and the experience of the testing activities of the State Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment Testing and Certification.
 Implementation of the proposed approaches will allow better verification of the ability of attachments to clear mines during humanitarian demining operations.

Мodel of diffraction of electromagnetic waves on explosive objects

A model of electromagnetic wave diffraction on an explosive object without metal structural substances is proposed. The properties of the materials of the most common anti-personnel mines were analyzed and it was established that their shell is dielectric, and explosive substances are divided into two groups depending on their dipole moment. In particular, the explosive substances such as hexogen, pentaerythritol tetranitrate, and mercury fulminate with zero dipole moment and according to their electromagnetic properties, they belong to ideal dielectrics. The explosives trinitrotoluene, tetryl, lead trinitroresorcinate, and lead azide should be considered as low-loss dielectrics. An electrodynamic model was built to calculate the reflection coefficients and the passage of electromagnetic plane waves of the microwave range through the multilayer structure of an explosive object. To determine the equivalent wave resistance of the multilayer structure of an explosive object, the use of the theory of long lines is proposed. It is established that for microwave radiation, the layers of the case of explosive objects made of dielectric substances can be neglected due to their small thickness. The modeling results show that most anti-personnel mines have a low reflection coefficient, which makes them difficult to detect, but at the same time increases the amount of energy that can pass deep into the body of the explosive substance. It has been shown that explosive objects with dipole explosive substances are capable of absorbing electromagnetic radiation energy. The obtained results allow us to qualitatively assess the susceptibility of explosive substances to their remote detonation by irradiation with powerful pulses of electromagnetic radiation in the microwave range.

Asean Synergy Makes a Mine-Free World in Indonesia

The Convention for the Comprehensive Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines, was created with the aim of realizing a "Mine Free World". Indonesia ratified the 1997 Ottawa Convention into Law “Undang- Undang” Number 20 of 2006. As a State Party, Indonesia is bound to comply with all provisions of the convention. Most important is the commitment to protect every citizen of his country from falling victim to anti-personnel mines. During the armed conflict in Aceh, mines were used by both parties, namely the Indonesian Security Forces and the Free Aceh Movement. The indication is the number of victims who were dominated by civilians after the conflict ended. For this reason, the parties are deemed not to comply with and carry out their responsibilities as intended by the conventions and principles of international humanitarian law. The two sides seemed not doing their best to resolve the problems caused by the presence of anti-personnel mines. Therefore, the experience of ASEAN countries that have succeeded in burying their past due to involvement in armed conflict, is very much needed in mediating the problems experienced in Aceh, Indonesia. Experiences like Vietnam and Cambodia are indispensable in initiating an anti-personnel mine clearance agenda whose findings are still ongoing. Then the Philippines as a party to this convention, which has the characteristics of a non-international armed conflict like Indonesia, also needs its contribution in this regard. ASEAN involvement is intended to work together to encourage the two parties to continue the peace agenda in Aceh according to the Helsinki MoU on August 15, 2005 and Law “Undang-Undang” Number 11 of 2006 on Aceh Governance.

Computational assessment of leg response to extreme loadings using a detailed finite element model.

This study focuses on evaluating the response of the Total Human Model for Safety™ lower extremity finite element model under blast loading. Biofidelity of the lower extremity model was evaluated against experiments with impact loading equivalent to underbody blast. The model response was found to match well with the experimental data for the average impactor speeds of 7 and 9.3 m/s resulting in an overall correlation and analysis rating of 0.86 and 0.82, respectively. The model response was then used to investigate response for antipersonnel mine explosion where the numerical setup consists of a charge mass of 40 g trinitrotoluene placed at a depth of 50 mm below the heel. The explosion was modeled using Multi Material-Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian method. The model was subjected to the graded input in terms of variation in standoff distance and mass of explosive to investigate the sensitivity of the model. The model found sensitive to the threat definition and predicted an increase of 110% in peak fluid-structure interaction force with 20% reduction in its time to peak and 29% increase in peak calcaneus axial force with a reduction of 33% in its time to peak when explosive mass varied from 40 g to 100 g. The location of the explosive below the foot was discovered to have significant effect on the injury pattern in near-field explosion. A comparative study suggested that the model predicted similar response and damage pattern compared to experimental data.

Multicopters for Geophysical Research

The current paper presents three multicopters developed at the Space Research and Technology Institute – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. These unmanned aircraft designs are aimed at geophysical research and are particularly usable for detection of objects on ground surface and underground. The detection is realized by taking advantage of certain objects' properties. Metals and other conductors are identified by their electrical conductivity. Ferromagnetic objects are discovered by observing their magnetic permeability. Voids and other objects are localized utilizing the difference of the dielectric permittivity that is encountered on the boundary of the object and surrounding ground or rock.
 Some of the potential targets discoverable with the described geophysical drones are military land mines (including anti-personnel and anti-tank mines), ammunition depots, reservoirs, pipelines, underground galleries, voids, bunkers, tunnels, etc.
 All three developments are subject to patent protection.

Humanitarian Demining Serial-Tracked Robot: Design and Dynamic Modeling

The paper proposes an original mechanical structure of a serial-tracked robot, subject of national invention patent number RO132301, B1/2021, destinated for humanitarian demining operations: anti-personnel mine detection by using a detection device mounted on the bottom’s tracked platform, demining and clearing the land of exploded mines using a TRTTR robot structure. The dynamic model of the robot structure is determined and numerically validated. A novel approach based on the Lagrange formalism and mechanical design equations has been used in the calculus and selection of robot driving motors. The obtained results for robot translation modules are presented and analyzed.

Issues of international legal regulation of the use of landmine weapons in domestic and foreign literature

The subject of the study is the generalization and analysis of domestic and foreign literature on international humanitarian law, which examines the international legal regulation of the use of landmine weapons, established restrictions and prohibitions on their use, in order to prepare motivated proposals on the possibility of improving the legal mechanism for solving the mine problem in modern conditions. In general, there are a considerable number of publications on the subject under consideration, the subject of which are various aspects of the mine problem. At the same time, the characteristic of the international legal regulation of the use of landmine weapons is often reduced to stating the provisions of Protocol II to the Convention on "Conventional" Weapons and the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (Ottawa Convention). Mainly, there is an opposition of these documents in favor of the Ottawa Convention. With regard to the latter, there are also studies, mostly foreign, very complimentary describing the process of preparation and adoption of the Ottawa Convention, the participation of foreign non-governmental organizations in it. The author's position on this and other issues is stated in the study. For the purposes of generalization and analysis of the works of domestic and foreign authors, formal-legal, formal-logical, comparative-legal research methods are used. The novelty of the study is due to its subject. Proposals on the availability of potential, the possibility of further development of international legal regulation of the turnover of landmine weapons are based on the generalization and analysis of the studies presented in the work on two main areas of solving the mine problem - humanitarian demining and the actual regulatory regulation of the turnover of landmine weapons. In the first case, we are talking mainly about using the achievements of scientific and technological progress, the latest developments. The development of the existing regulatory framework for regulating the turnover of mine weapons is associated with a prerequisite for ensuring the complementary nature of the two main treaties – the use of basic definitions in them that have identical content. At the same time, the fact is emphasized that overcoming the crisis of international humanitarian law in general, the implementation, in particular, of relevant initiatives to solve the mine problem, are conditioned by the presence of a real, equivalent alternative to the collective West.

Utilizing UAV-based hyperspectral imaging to detect surficial explosive ordnance

Across postconflict regions of the world, explosive ordnance (EO), which includes remnant antipersonnel land mines, antivehicle/tank mines, unexploded cluster munitions, improvised explosive devices, and explosive remnants of war (ERW) such as unexploded ordnance and abandoned explosive ordnance, remains a critical humanitarian concern. Clearance and land release efforts anchored on manual geophysical detection and mechanical probing methods remain painstakingly slow, expensive, and dangerous to operators. As a result, postconflict regions impacted by EO contamination significantly lag in social and economic development. Developing, calibrating, and field testing more efficient detection methods for surficial EO is a crucial task. Unpiloted aerial systems featuring advanced remote sensing capabilities are a key technology that may allow the tide to turn in the EO crisis. Specifically, recent advances in hardware design have allowed for effective deployment of small, light, and less power consuming hyperspectral imaging (HSI) systems from small unpiloted aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our proof-of-concept study employs UAV-based HSI to deliver a safer, faster, and more cost-efficient method of surface land mine and ERW detection compared to current ground-based detection methods. Our results indicate that analysis of HSI data sets can produce spectral profiles and derivative data products to distinguish multiple ERW and mine types in a variety of host environments.

The effect of military actions on the dynamics of the use of agricultural land and the state of the soil cover

The topicality of the topic is due to significant changes in the state of the components of the environment, namely the soil cover, and the use of agricultural land under the influence of the consequences of military operations in 2022-2023. There is a need to assess the scale of changes in the environment, primarily the soil cover, as the most disturbed as a result of hostilities, under the influence of these factors, to determine their respective scales, spatial localization and ecological and legal consequences. The main negative factors that lead to damage to agricultural land include (according to Kondratenko A.F. 2022): 1. Driving through the territory of heavy equipment (tanks and other types of tracked equipment, which leads to soil compaction and degradation); 2. The use of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, which leads to changes in landscapes, relief and soil degradation; 3. Shelling and bombing of the territory, which leads to the formation of craters (funnels) and mixing of soil horizons. Sinkholes in places where shells fall are not only a factor of landscape damage and destruction of vegetation, but also a factor of soil pollution: they leave in the soil a significant amount of metal, sulfur and sulfur compounds, heavy metals, ammonia, phosphorus, coal dust, sulfuric acid and sulfate compounds, formaldehydes, lead, mercury; 4. Construction of trenches and other protective shelters for military personnel and equipment (soil disturbance and degradation); 5. Fires in natural areas and agricultural fields. As a result, the fertile soil layer burns out, dehydration and "sterilization" occurs - both pathogenic microorganisms and useful biota die, nutrients are lost. In our opinion, this classification generally covers well the spectrum of factors affecting the soil cover of military operations. At the same time, this classification is incomplete and does not cover some common cases, for example, the creation of systems of defensive structures leads to the violation of soil horizons and changes in the structure of the soil, the spread of erosion (Makarenko N. A., et al., 2022). Also, since it was developed for the conditions of military operations in Donetsk region as of 2014-2017, it needs to be supplemented and clarified, for example, it is worth adding the concepts of ecocide and destruction of infrastructure. The use of indicators of soil condition, monitoring of the development of degradation processes based on operational data and the possibility of using geoportals, dashboards and other means of public access to open data plays a particularly important role in the context of the impact of the consequences of military actions on the soil cover, prospects for agricultural production and, in general, on the quality of life.

International Legal Regulation of the Use of Landmine Weapons: Classification Problems

The article notes the increased urgency, due to the significant aggravation of the international situation, of solving problems related to the use of landmine weapons, the victims of which are not only military personnel, but also civilians. Despite the considerable efforts made over a long time and the agreements reached, the mine problem is still far from being resolved. Peaceful initiatives related to the implementation of the basic principles of international humanitarian law, its improvement, are still the main direction of activity of the modern State, which meets the basic needs of citizens, the purpose of which is to resolve conflicts at all levels. In modern conditions, peace initiatives that implement and develop previously reached agreements, including on the use of landmine weapons, are of particular importance. In this article, based on a comparison of the definitions of this weapon, the established restrictions, prohibitions on its use used in the two main acts of international humanitarian law on the mine problem, it is proposed to solve the issue related to the classification of landmine weapons used in the treaties, including anti-personnel mines. It seems obvious that the solution of this issue, the use of definitions that are uniform for treaties on similar issues, is an important initial condition that allows for objective control over the implementation of international agreements.

Особенности судебно-экспертного исследования противопехотных мин ПМН-4 отечественного производства

The issues of the features of forensic explosive research of anti-personnel high explosive mines PMN-4 based on the experience of the production of examinations of these objects carried out in the Forensic Center of the Main Department of Internal Affairs in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region are considered.
 Individual problems of a subjective, organizational and methodological nature arising in the course of the organization and production of forensic explosive examination of explosive devices of industrial manufacture, military use are outlined and possible ways of their solution are indicated.
 The design features of the PMN-4 antipersonnel mine are considered, which are important for the organization and conduct of its forensic examination, taking into account the fact that the product does not provide for the fact of disassembly after factory assembly and enters the troops in fully equipped form and with a fuse installed.
 Taking into account the fact that the forensic explosives expert does not have a sufficient set of knowledge in the field of the features of the regular use of anti-personnel mines, a proposal has been formulated to attract specialists in the field of engineering ammunition operation from among the employees of the Ministry of Defense to organize and conduct expert experiments.
 Methodological recommendations are proposed for conducting an expert experiment aimed at solving the issue of the ability of the PMN-4 antipersonnel mine to be used for its intended purpose (explosion) by simulating its operation, provided for by the design of the push-action fuse and the operating rules. In the experiment, a load weighing 24 kg was lowered onto the mine fuse from a height of about 0.5 m, thereby simulating the impact on the fuse of a load of more than 15 kg, which guarantees its operation, provided for by the design of the product.

Interview with His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Raad Zeid Al-Hussein of Jordan

Born in Amman on 11 June 1965, His Royal Highness Prince Mired Raad Zeid Al-Hussein earned his BA degree from Tufts University in 1987 and his MA degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1995, with a specialization in international relations/strategic studies. He continued his education at Cambridge University, England, where he received an MPhil in historical studies in 1998. In addition, Prince Mired attended the British Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1990 and served for several years in the Jordanian Armed Forces, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.Upon leaving the military, Prince Mired decided to continue serving his country by other means, dedicating his life to humanitarian and social causes. He has been the Chairman of the National Committee for Demining and Rehabilitation since 2004, and from November 2007 to November 2008 he was President of the Eighth Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention. He has also served as the Special Envoy of the Convention since 2009 and has had the honour and privilege of travelling the world advocating for further accession by countries that have not yet acceded to the Convention, as well as calling for the implementation of the Convention's articles by the States that have done so.Prince Mired is also President of the Hashemite Commission for Disabled Soldiers, a position he has held since 2000. Over the course of the last two decades, the Commission has been able to provide a wide variety of different services, acting as a support network to all servicemen and servicewomen with disabilities in the Kingdom.In addition, from 2008 through to 2013, Prince Mired served as Vice-President of the Higher Council for the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities, and in 2014 he was appointed by Royal Decree to serve as its President, succeeding his father, HRH Prince Raad Bin Zeid. In 2017, with the passing of groundbreaking new legislation calling for the rights of persons with disabilities, the Council was renamed as the Higher Council for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Prince Mired also served a short stint as President of the Jordanian Paralympic Committee from 2017 to 2018.On 28 February 2021, in addition to all his aforementioned responsibilities, Prince Mired was appointed by Royal Decree as Chief Chamberlain to His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein of Jordan.Prince Mired is married to HRH Princess Dina Mired. They have three children, Shirin, Rakan and Jafar.