Landmines and unexploded ordnance are posing a greater threat to residents of western Myanmar’s Rakhine state, where intense fighting has caused junta troops to lay more landmines near their outposts.
Data collected by Radio Free Asia indicates that 11 civilians have been killed and 31 injured by landmines in Rakhine state between April 1 and July 25.
Junta troops have been planting landmines to protect their camps, according to groups working to raise awareness about the dangers of landmines.
However, ethnic minority rebels have been attacking junta outposts since last November, causing many junta troops to abandon the sites.
That’s when the leftover landmines become a danger to nearby residents, said Zaw Zaw Tun, director of the Action for Community Resilience Organization, which is based in Rakhine’s capital, Sittwe.
“Currently, people cannot avoid areas with landmine threats, which are increasingly impacting their daily lives,” he said.
The Arakan Army, or AA, has made significant gains against the military junta that seized power in a 2021 coup. It has captured 10 townships in Rakhine state and neighboring Chin state since late last year – part of a series of setbacks for the embattled junta.
On July 13, the AA issued a warning advising against travel to areas near towns, roads, bridges and junta outposts in Rakhine state.
Recently, there have been frequent landmine incidents in Gwa, Kyaukphyu, Mingba and Ponnagyun townships in Rakhine state.
Forest areas
One resident told RFA that although the junta warned civilians to avoid certain areas, local residents have had no choice but to go into forest areas to sustain their livelihoods.
Another resident said junta troops have planted landmines in the areas surrounding Kyaukphyu.
“Some farmers have lost their land in Kyaukphyu because of these landmines,” he said. “The junta has planted more mines along forest routes near the villages. It is very dangerous for the local population.”
RFA was unable to contact the junta spokesperson Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun and AA spokesman Khaing Thukha to ask about the recent landmine casualties.
UNICEF reported earlier this year that civilian casualties from landmines and unexploded ordnance across Myanmar have significantly increased since the 2021 military coup.
There were 1,214 explosions from landmines and unexploded ordnance between January 2021 and March 2024, resulting in 422 deaths and 1,643 injuries, according to UNICEF.
In comparison, from 2015 to 2020, there were 786 explosions of landmines and unexploded ordnance from the conflict, resulting in 254 deaths and 954 injuries.
Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed.