Landmine blast kills Gwa Twsp villager

01 Jul 2024

DMG Newsroom
1 July 2024, Gwa

A man in his 50s was killed in a landmine explosion in Gwa Township, Arakan State, where no fighting between the military and Arakkha Army (AA) has yet occurred despite escalating tensions and active conflict across much of the state, according to local people.

The resident of Yahaikwin Village was returning home from the jungle with three companions on June 29 when he stepped on the landmine. He initially lost his right leg in the blast and later succumbed to his injuries.

“He was injured in a landmine blast and bled to death on the way to the hospital. The family of the landmine victim faces livelihood hardships,” said a source close to the family.

Residents of Gwa Township say they have never before experienced the danger of landmines. But due to AA’s battles for control of several towns in Arakan State, the shadow of war has made its presence felt in Gwa Township, and residents are now worried about going to the forests for their livelihoods.

“This is the first time that a person has died from a landmine explosion on our side, so it sounds like an alarm that the battle is near. Most residents in the village make a living by collecting vegetables and firewood. Facing the danger of landmines, the livelihoods of the locals are a concern,” said a local woman in Gwa Township.

Thousands of people from Thandwe Township who have fled the war are taking refuge in Gwa Township, and locals fear the military-AA hostilities will spread.

“We fled to Gwa Township due to fierce fighting in Thandwe Township. We are now faced with landmine blasts, so we are wondering when the battle will happen in Gwa Township as well,” said an internally displaced person (IDP) from Thandwe Township.

There have been no clashes between the military and AA in Gwa and Manaung townships to date. Myanmar’s military regime has prepared a defence in Gwa Township against attacks from the AA after the ethnic armed group launched offensives against other junta positions in southern Arakan State.