Exploring the OMAR Landmine Museum in Kabul: A sobering testament to Afghanistan’s resilience

Ben Crowley

Aug. 25, 2025

The OMAR Mine Museum in Kabul, Afghanistan, stands as a stark reminder of the country’s decades-long struggle with war and conflict. During the previous 50 years landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO), remnants of conflicts both ongoing and past, have been used to indiscriminately through Afghanistan, a tragic tale that continues to scar Afghanistan today. Run by the Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR), the museum is both an educational centre and a tribute to the resilience of the Afghan people.

What is the OMAR organisation and what do they do?

Founded in 1990, the Organization for Mine Clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) is Afghanistan’s leading demining organization, employing around 1200 people to remove landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXOs) that litter the countryside. Afghanistan is one of the most heavily mined countries in the world, with an estimated 10 million landmines and UXOs left from conflicts involving the Soviet invasion, the civil wars, and more recent fighting during the US/NATO intervention.

OMAR focuses on two main missions. The First is to clear these deadly remnants. Hundreds of thousands of manhours and millions of dollars of equipment goes in to clearing land of these devastating devices so that farmers can return to their fields and children can play in the open without fear of being maimed. The second mission is to educate communities, particularly children, about their dangers. They educated through seminars, self-produced videos and mobile classes that go out to remote villages and rural areas.  The organization’s efforts have saved countless lives, though landmines still claim over 120 victims monthly, many of them children who mistake colourful mines, like the Soviet “butterfly” mines, for toys.

The OMAR Landmine Museum: Chronicalling Afghanistan’s decades of war.

Located in Kabul, the OMAR Mine Museum is a unique institution that showcases 51 of the 53 types of landmines used in Afghanistan, alongside other military hardware such as cluster bombs, airdrop bombs, rockets, artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and even Soviet military aircraft. While OMAR as an organisation was established in 1990, the museum itself first opened in 1994 in Herat before moving to Kabul. The museum also serves as a training and education centre for landmine and UXO awareness. Its exhibits include sobering displays of mines, from small anti-personnel devices to larger anti-vehicle mines, and even suicide vests, highlighting the grim reality of Afghanistan’s conflicts. A memorial plaque honours deminers who lost their lives, and educational tools like murals and posters are designed to teach visitors, especially school groups, how to identify and avoid UXOs.

Where is the OMAR Landmine Museum and how do you get there?

The OMAR Mine Museum is located in Kabul, near the Ghazi Stadium, though its exact location can be hard to find as many locals are unaware of it. The most practical way to reach it is by taxi or ride-share from central Kabul, costing around $5one-way. Due to security concerns, visitors must arrange appointments through OMAR’s main office in Kabul, as casual visits are not permitted. Get in touch with us if you require contact details for the museum staff.

Entrance tickets and opening hours

The museum is open daily from 8 AM to 4 PM, allowing ample time to explore its exhibits. The museum asks for 500 Afghanis per person, which includes a thorough guided tour of the museum. A visit to the museum should take between 1 and 2 hours. It is definitely recommended to make a donation as well. Even a small amount goes a long way to saving lives.

What should you expect?

Visiting the OMAR Mine Museum is a sobering yet enlightening experience. The main exhibition hall, lined with deactivated mines and UXOs, is a stark reminder of the hidden dangers still present in Afghanistan. A guided tour led by knowledgeable staff, provides insights into the technical aspects of demining and the human toll of landmines. The outdoor area, featuring Soviet aircraft and a Scud missile, adds a layer of historical context to the devastation of war. The museum’s classroom, which is inside an old aeroplane, with video equipment, is designed to engage younger visitors, making it a vital educational tool. The atmosphere is heavy, but the stories of resilience, both of OMAR’s deminers and the Afghan people, leave a lasting impression.

Why should you visit?

A visit to the OMAR Mine Museum is not just a history lesson; it’s an opportunity to grasp the enduring impact of war on a nation and its people. The museum humanizes Afghanistan’s struggle, spotlighting the bravery of deminers and the innocence of civilian victims, particularly children. For those interested in military history, humanitarian work, or simply understanding Afghanistan beyond the limited knowledge we have in the outside world, this museum offers a unique perspective.

By visiting, you contribute to OMAR’s mission, ensuring that the landmine crisis is not forgotten. The OMAR Mine Museum is a powerful testament to the cost of conflict and the hope for a mine-free future.

If you are interested in joining us in Kabul on one of our Afghanistan group tours , then check out the dates we have available here. If you would like to know more about travel to Afghanistan, then check out our comprehensive destination guide on our website .

To secure your place or to organise a private tour, please send us an email to [email protected].