Two civilians suffered severe injuries resulting in leg amputations after stepping on landmines in Mrauk-U and Maungdaw Townships of Rakhine State. On March 19 at approximately 3 PM, a woman was injured by a landmine while foraging for vegetables near the foot of Kyein Mountain in Mrauk-U. The victim has been identified as Daw San Win May, age 42, from Thapyay Nyo Ward in Mrauk-U, who lost her left leg below the knee in the incident.
According to local residents, Daw San Win May regularly went out to gather vegetables, but on that day she had ventured into an unfamiliar area instead of her usual foraging grounds when she encountered the landmine. Additionally, in Maungdaw Township, Abdul Haleik, a 44-year-old resident of Latha Ward, stepped on a landmine while fishing at Shwe Zar Creek around 1 PM on March 18, resulting in the amputation of his left leg below the knee.
Currently, landmine explosions have become increasingly frequent in Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships within Rakhine State, leading to a rising number of civilian casualties and severe injuries. Particularly concerning are the landmines left behind by military council forces in mountainous areas, urban buildings, schools, and monasteries where they had previously established positions.
Despite efforts by the Arakan Army (AA) to conduct mine risk education sessions and issue safety warnings regarding unexploded ordnance, the rate of civilian casualties has continued to rise compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the urgent need for increased demining operations and awareness programs to address this growing humanitarian crisis. The situation highlights the devastating impact of landmines on civilian populations in conflict-affected areas and the critical importance of comprehensive mine clearance efforts.
