Land Mines Continue to Devastate Families in Myanmar

Bu Ri, once a victim of a land mine in Myanmar, now witnesses the recurring tragedy within his family. Decades ago, he lost a leg due to a mine. More recently, six other family members faced similar or worse fates, a testament to the ongoing devastation of civil war.

In September 2023, John New Min, along with fellow rebel soldiers, dedicated hours to clearing land mines placed by Myanmar’s military. These deadly explosives were found near homes, farms, and churchyards in the country’s remote east. During a break, Mr. Min walked toward a tree and accidentally triggered a mine. The explosion hurled him into the air, resulting in the loss of his right leg and his vision.

The blast marked Mr. Min as the seventh family member affected by mines. Before him, his grandfather, an uncle, and a cousin each lost a leg to similar devices. Three more cousins died from mines. The 88-year-old grandfather, Bu Ri, expressed deep sorrow over the enduring suffering, stating, “It pains me to see that from my generation to my grandchildren’s generation, we are all still suffering because of land mines.” He had also lost a leg to a mine in the same region 32 years prior.

The threat of explosives has worsened across Myanmar, exacerbated by a civil war now in its sixth year. Landmine Monitor’s December report revealed Myanmar as having 2,029 mine casualties in 2024, topping global figures for the second year. Many victims are children.

The chaos ensued after Myanmar’s military overthrew a democratically elected government in 2021. This power shift led to increased armed resistance. The military, unable to suppress the rebels, chose to attack civilians. Strategies included airstrikes on communal gatherings and strategically placing land mines in civilian areas.