Myanmar had the highest number of landmine casualties in 2023, according to the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). Over 1,000 people were either killed or wounded by landmines and unexploded ordnance, a tragic consequence of the ongoing conflict between the military and ethnic rebel groups. Decades of sporadic fighting have left the country heavily contaminated with landmines. However, since the military coup in 2021, the violence has intensified, with new “People’s Defence Forces” formed to challenge the junta. These groups have increasingly used landmines in their fight.
In total, 1,003 casualties were recorded in Myanmar, surpassing those in Syria (933), Afghanistan (651), and Ukraine (580). The ICBL highlighted the growing use of anti-personnel mines by Myanmar’s military, particularly around strategic infrastructure like mobile phone towers and pipelines, which are frequently targeted by opposition groups. The military has also been accused of war crimes, including using civilians to clear minefields.
Myanmar is not a signatory to the United Nations’ treaty banning anti-personnel mines, and both military and rebel forces have used mines indiscriminately. The ICBL reports that the global landmine toll for 2023 reached 5,757 casualties, with 1,983 fatalities and 3,663 injuries. Civilians made up 84% of these victims, underscoring the devastating impact on non-combatants. The conflict has displaced over 3 million people in Myanmar, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
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