Nov 21 (V7N) – Myanmar has overtaken Syria as the country with the highest number of landmine-related deaths, according to the Landmine Monitor 2024 report published by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL). The report, released on Wednesday, highlights the devastating impact of landmines in the Southeast Asian nation, with 1,033 deaths recorded in 2023, surpassing Syria's 933 fatalities during the same period.

The report attributes Myanmar's alarming figures to the intensified conflict following the military coup in 2021. Landmine casualties were reported in every state and region of Myanmar, except for the capital Naypyidaw. The country has long been plagued by decades of violence between the military and ethnic minority armed groups, further exacerbated by the junta's use of landmines and explosive munitions.

According to the United Nations, over three million people have been displaced since the 2021 coup, as anti-junta conflicts continue to escalate. The Landmine Monitor report also alleges that the military junta has forcibly used civilians as human shields to clear landmine-infested areas.

Myanmar remains one of the few countries that has not signed the Ottawa Treaty, which bans the use, stockpiling, and production of landmines. This lack of commitment to international norms has contributed to the continued use of these deadly weapons.

The report serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of Myanmar’s ongoing internal conflict. Landmines not only claim lives but also severely injure and traumatize survivors, leaving a long-term impact on communities.

The ICBL continues to advocate for global adherence to the Ottawa Treaty, urging nations like Myanmar to prioritize humanitarian concerns and work toward a landmine-free world.

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