In Arakan State, landmine encounters increasingly an urban concern

By Admin 02 Jan 2024

DMG Newsroom
2 January 2024, Sittwe

As landmine casualties have increased with the restart of fighting between the Myanmar military and Arakan Army in Arakan State, more and more cases are involving urban and peri-urban encounters.

A local man herding his cattle on a farm near a security checkpoint in Rathedaung lost his left leg after he stepped on a landmine at about 2 p.m. on January 1.

“He lost his left leg after he stepped on a landmine planted by the military’s Light Infantry Division No. 22 near a security checkpoint in Rathedaung,” said a resident in Rathedaung.

The landmine victim, identified as U Ba Tin Win, 56, from Ashaemrauk Ward, has been admitted to Rathedaung Hospital.

Seven people — two each from Minbya and Myebon and one each from Ann, Rathedaung and Maungdaw — were injured in landmine explosions following the resumption of hostilities between the military and AA in Arakan State, which began on November 13. Of them, four people were wounded in landmine blasts in downtown and peri-urban areas.

“The regime forces never take the possibility of civilian casualties into consideration. They plant landmines even in urban areas. We are afraid of returning home in downtown areas when peace and stability is restored,” said a displaced woman from Minbya.

An ethnic Chin man in Minbya, Arakan State, was severely injured on December 25 in a landmine blast, losing both his legs. And a local man in Minbya was severely injured on December 15 in a landmine blast near a police station, losing one of his legs.

As the AA is attempting to seize junta bases and military camps in urban areas, regime troops may have planted landmines near their battalions and police stations, said an activist in Arakan State.

“The regime also attempts to defend against offensive attacks launched by the revolutionary forces. The regime lost dozens of military bases and police outposts and will prepare to defend its military camps in urban areas. The regime may have planted landmines near the military battalion and camps,” the activist added.

A local said that regime soldiers in Rathedaung have been telling residents not to travel to areas near a security checkpoint at an entrance to the town.

“The regime soldiers tell residents not to go to farmlands near the military outposts. Landmines may have been planted near the junta outposts. Locals are concerned for their safety due to frequent landmine blasts,” the Rathedaung resident added.

Light Infantry Battalion No. 550, based in Arakan State’s Ponnagyun town, has warned local farmers against harvesting their paddy fields near the battalion, saying they have planted landmines within 600 yards of the barracks.