Myanmar has overtaken Syria as the nation with the highest casualties from landmines and explosive remnants of war, recording 1,003 casualties last year. The surge follows the 2021 military coup, with both military forces and insurgents frequently employing landmines. Civilian casualties have risen sharply, with children disproportionately affected, emphasizing an urgent need for international response to this humanitarian crisis.
Myanmar has become the country with the highest number of casualties caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war, surpassing Syria, according to a recent report by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines. This alarming shift follows the outbreak of conflict in Myanmar after the military coup in February 2021, which has resulted in widespread liability to landmine usage across the nation, leaving casualties recorded in nearly every region except the fortified capital of Naypyidaw.
Last year, Myanmar reported 1,003 landmine-related casualties, illustrating a significant increase in violence since the coup, with escalations occurring when civilians organized defense forces to combat military authority. This resulted in both military and insurgent groups employing landmines with tragic consequences. Notably, the report observed beyond military engagements, incidents of military forces reportedly using civilians as human shields in mined zones, additionally threatening farmers regarding financial responsibility for landmines detonated by livestock.
The Landmine Monitor 2024 report noted that, while the military junta and newly formed defense forces have engaged in landmine utilization, there have been instances where landmines were deployed in civilian areas to target individuals associated with organizations now under junta control. Furthermore, civilians accounted for 84% of recorded casualties globally, with a distressing 37% of these casualties being children.
As Myanmar wrestles with the ramifications of this escalation in landmine usage, the situation remains grave, with calls for enhanced international scrutiny and assistance to address the humanitarian crisis resulting from both military and anti-junta violence. The findings depict a harrowing reality as the country grapples with escalating violence and the devastating impact of landmines on its populace.
The recent surge in landmine casualties in Myanmar can be attributed to the widespread conflict that erupted after the military coup in February 2021. This period saw a resurgence of violence as civilians armed themselves to oppose the junta, leading to heightened use of landmines by both military forces and various armed groups. The situation distinguishes itself amidst a broader context of global landmine impact, particularly in conflict zones such as Syria, Ukraine, and Afghanistan, where civilians disproportionately bear the brunt of such warfare devices.
The increase in landmine casualties in Myanmar is a distressing narrative of the consequences of armed conflict and military governance. With 1,003 documented casualties in a single year, the plight of civilians is paramount as warfare strategies continue to exploit them. The report emphasizes the urgent need for international attention to mitigate the humanitarian crisis and protect vulnerable populations from the devastating effects of landmines.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
