Myanmar has overtaken Syria as the nation with the highest landmine casualties, recording 1,003 victims in 2023. The increase in landmine use is linked to escalated conflict following the military coup in February 2021. Significant numbers of casualties include civilians, particularly children, with alarming reports of the military employing civilians as minefield guides. Global awareness and intervention are critical to address this humanitarian crisis.
Myanmar has surpassed Syria as the nation with the highest number of landmine-related casualties, according to a report from the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. Last year, Myanmar recorded 1,003 casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, a significant increase attributed to the escalation of armed conflict following the military coup in February 2021. The violence has prompted both civilian defense groups and established ethnic armed factions to engage in combat against the ruling junta, further complicating the situation on the ground.
The report, entitled “Landmine Monitor 2024,” indicated that landmines were employed by both the military junta and the opposing armed groups. Incidents of civilian casualties were documented, including tragic cases involving children. Alarmingly, there are reports of the military utilizing civilians as guides through mine-infested areas, thereby endangering their lives and effectively employing them as human shields. In one distressing instance, a soldier mandated a farmer pay for the death of livestock killed by mines, revealing the distressing human toll of ongoing hostilities.
Civilians accounted for 84% of all casualties documented in the report, with children comprising 37% of these figures. In contrast, Syria experienced 933 casualties, placing it second for the year, while Afghanistan and Ukraine reported over 500 each. Recommendations for enhanced monitoring and humanitarian assistance have been suggested amidst concerns that the actual casualty figures may be significantly higher than reported due to a lack of comprehensive surveillance across Myanmar. Overall, the findings highlight the grave humanitarian crisis affecting Myanmar, driven by conflict and compounded by the perilous use of landmines across the country.
The conflict in Myanmar intensified following the military coup in February 2021, initiating a resurgence of violence as various armed groups, including civilian-led defense forces and longstanding ethnic groups, sought to resist military rule. The widespread implementation of landmines during these engagements has resulted in significant civilian casualties, revealing the urgent need for intervention and assistance. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines provides an annual assessment of global casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, thereby highlighting trends and hotspots requiring international attention.
The situation in Myanmar has reached alarming levels, as it leads the world in landmine casualties. This dire circumstance necessitates immediate international focus and humanitarian intervention, particularly to safeguard vulnerable civilian populations, especially children. As armed conflict persists, the need for stringent regulations on landmine usage and comprehensive monitoring of reported casualties is imperative in alleviating human suffering and preventing further loss of life.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
