Arakan State residents worry over risk of unexploded ordnance

By Admin 21 Dec 2023

DMG Newsroom
21 December 2023, Mrauk-U

Civilian casualties have been reported as artillery shells fired by regime forces landed and exploded in residential parts of Arakan State where fighting between the military and Arakan Army (AA) is escalating, and locals are worried about the risks of unexploded mortar shells.

Five unexploded artillery shells fired by junta troops were found near Mt. Myo Oo Gaung, Yadanar Manaung Pagoda, Yatanarpon Ward and Shwe Kyar Thein Monastery in Mrauk-U.

“All artillery shells have been fired by the regime forces intentionally into residential areas. If those mortar shells were to explode, our lives would be in danger, so we are quite scared,” said a resident of Mrauk-U. 

Civilian casualties are on the rise in Arakan State as regime forces have regularly fired heavy weapons into towns and villages without there being fighting in the respective targeted areas.

At least 10 unexploded mortar shells fired by Myanmar Navy warships and junta troops stationed at Mt. Kin were discovered in Kyawzan, Padetha and Aidin villages in Ponnagyun Township, locals said.

“There are many unexploded mortar shells fired by the regime forces near farmlands and in the villages. An unexploded mortar shell found in the village was thrown into a creek,” said a resident of Kyawzan Village.

Local residents are asking the regime troops not to fire heavy weapons at places that are not related to the ongoing conflict as explosive remnants of war (ERWs) can explode at any time, and the lives of people working in the fields and passers-by are at risk. 

“Many casualties were reported due to blasts of unexploded ordnance. I dare not go to my paddy field to harvest paddy as there is an unexploded mortar shell in my field,” said a resident of Kuntaing Village in Buthidaung Township.

Residents want civil society organisations to share online awareness programmes about the dangers of ERWs, including landmines, during the conflict.

Fighting in Arakan State remains oftentimes intense and civilian casualties have continued to rise due largely to the junta’s indiscriminate use of heavy weapons since renewed fighting between the military and Arakan Army began on November 13.

According to a DMG tally, as of December 21, 28 civilians were killed and 128 others were injured in Arakan State and neighbouring Paletwa Township, Chin State, in junta attacks involving infantrymen, artillery, fighter planes and warships.