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, identified as Daw San Win May, age 42, from Thapyay Nyo Ward in Mrauk-U, suffered an amputation below her left knee and is currently receiving emergency medical treatment.
In Maungdaw Township, Abdul Haleik, a 44-year-old resident of Latha Ward, stepped on a landmine while fishing at Shwe Zar Creek on March 18 at around 1 PM. He also suffered an amputation below his left knee and is in critical condition. Recent weeks have seen a surge in landmine incidents across Thandwe, Mrauk-U, and Maungdaw Townships in Rakhine State, resulting in civilian casualties and severe injuries.
Reports indicate that the military council had previously planted landmines in various locations including mountainous areas, buildings within towns, schools, and monasteries where they had stationed troops. Despite the Arakan Army (AA) conducting mine risk education sessions and issuing safety warnings regarding unexploded ordnance, the number of casualties has continued to rise compared to previous periods. Local residents have emphasized the need for the Arakan Army to increase their efforts in mine clearance operations and mine risk education programs to prevent further casualties in the region.
