The Human Cost of Myanmar’s Land Mines

Bu Ri lost a leg to a mine in Myanmar decades ago. Recently, six other family members faced similar fates or worse, highlighting the devastation from the ongoing civil war.

John New Min and his fellow rebel soldiers were removing land mines placed by Myanmar’s military. They used farm tools and their bare hands near homes, farms, and churchyards in the east part of the country.

While moving toward a shady tree in September 2023, Mr. Min stepped on a mine. The explosion threw him into the air, took his right leg, and blinded him.

This incident made Mr. Min the seventh member of his family injured or killed by a mine. Before him, his grandfather, uncle, and cousin also lost legs. Three other cousins died due to these mines.

“It pains me to see that from my generation to my grandchildren’s generation, we are all still suffering because of land mines,” said Bu Ri, 88, who lost his left leg in the same region 32 years ago.

The danger from explosives, also planted by rebels, has increased across Myanmar. It’s a legacy of a civil war now in its sixth year. According to a December report by Landmine Monitor, Myanmar had 2,029 mine casualties in 2024. This was more than any other country for the second consecutive year. Often, children are victims.

Myanmar descended into chaos after the military ousted a democratically elected government in 2021. The junta’s return to power led to more armed resistance. Unable to defeat rebel forces, the generals repeatedly attacked civilians. They launched airstrikes on weddings and temples and planted land mines where civilians often go.