Myanmar, a country plagued by ongoing conflict and political unrest since the military coup in 2021, has seen a drastic increase in civilian casualties due to landmines and explosive ordnance. According to the UN children’s agency, UNICEF, the number of casualties, including children, more than doubled last year, reaching a grim total of 1,052. This alarming surge marked a 270% increase from the previous year, with 188 individuals killed and 864 others wounded by landmines and explosive remnants of war.
Children accounted for over 20% of all landmine victims in Myanmar, highlighting the devastating impact of these indiscriminate weapons on the most vulnerable members of society. The country’s already dire situation has been exacerbated by the widespread use of landmines by various factions involved in the escalating conflict. The lack of regard for international humanitarian law in the deployment of these lethal devices has further compounded the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Myanmar.
Despite the mounting pressure on the junta leadership following defeats in recent military offensives by rebel groups, the use of landmines persists as a brutal tactic in the ongoing conflict. UNICEF’s regional director for East Asia and the Pacific, Debora Comini, condemned the use of landmines as both reprehensible and illegal under international law. The data provided by UNICEF revealed Sagaing, the agrarian heartland of Myanmar, accounted for more than 35% of all landmine-related casualties in 2023, underscoring the widespread impact of these deadly weapons on civilians across the country.
As Myanmar continues to grapple with political turmoil and armed resistance against the military junta, the civilian population remains at grave risk of being caught in the crossfire. The persistent use of landmines and explosive ordnance not only inflicts physical harm but also leaves lasting psychological scars on those affected. The international community faces the challenge of addressing the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and advocating for the protection of civilians from the devastating effects of conflict-related violence, including the insidious threat of landmines.