MYANMAR – Over 1,000 people were killed by landmines in Myanmar in 2023, recording the highest number of landmine deaths in the world, announced the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) on November 20.
Myanmar took over Syria which previously held the record. There were 933 landmine caused deaths in Syria in 2023 while there were 1,003 in Myanmar, 70 higher than the former, according to the 2024 report by ICBL on the use of landmines published on November 20. The ICBL added that the actual number of deaths could be two or three times higher than the recorded number.
Myanmar recorded the highest number of annual deaths caused by landmines globally, surpassing even Syria, with an ongoing long-term civil war.
Revolutionary forces in Sagaing Division and Magway Division said that the junta council troops would plant a large number of landmines in villages after raiding said villages, which often resulted in civilian casualties.
“The main culprit is the junta council. They left behind plenty of landmines. We have to clear them to prevent civilian casualties multiple times,” said a PDF soldier from Butalin Township in Sagaing Division.
The Arakan Army (AA) also stated that the junta forces would leave a trail of landmines along their route of retreat and also plant countless landmines around their stations in Rakhine State.
It is said that the junta council planted landmines around the military bases and headquarters as well as passages around those bases, schools and herding grounds in the towns they lost to AA there are reports of civilians dying or losing limbs due to those mines almost daily.
AA has also urged the people to study the dangers of landmines and related knowledge and to live with caution, avoiding travelling, hunting or herding animals near junta bases and places temporarily stationed by junta forces for the present.
