Weekly Analysis: Landmines Post Life-Threatening Risks to Conflict-Affected Communities in Southeastern Burma

March 17, 2025

Over the last week in targeted areas of the Human Rights Foundation of Monland, including Mon State, Karen State and the Tanintharyi Region, civilians faced immense risks and threats to their lives due to landmines. The military junta deliberately places and hides landmines and unexploded ordnance devices in civilian areas to instill fear and uncertainty.

Many who accidentally step do so while on their way to work or tend to their harvests. The explosions have injured and killed men, women and children. Survival rates are low, and treatment is costly and painful. Further, survivors face additional barriers in earning an income and fleeing during attacks by the junta.

A 52-year-old woman suffered severe injuries after stepping on a landmine planted by junta troops at the Yuzana oil palm plantation in Bokpyin Township, Myeik District, Tanintharyi Region.

The incident occurred around noon on March 12 while she was working at the plantation owned by Yuzana Company. A resident from Chaung Mon village reported that the explosion caused her leg bone to fracture and shatter.

“She was critically injured. One of her legs was completely shattered,” said a villager from Chaung Mon.

The woman received emergency medical treatment before being transported to Bokpyin Hospital for further care. Amid ongoing clashes between resistance forces and junta troops in the region, local resistance groups have repeatedly warned villagers to stay away from unexploded military weapons and landmines.

The junta forces in the area had reportedly planted at least 14 landmines around the Yuzana oil palm plantation when they established their base but failed to remove them afterward, leading to civilian casualties, including plantation workers.

In a separate case, threefamily members, including an 11-year-old child, were injured in Lae Thit village, Tanintharyi Township, Myeik District, after a detonator exploded inside their home, according to local sources and resistance forces.

The incident occurred at 6 AM on March 10 when the family attempted to connect the detonator—locally known as “Kit Thee”—to a battery, triggering an unexpected explosion.

“At the time of the explosion, five family members were inside the house. A 43-year-old woman, a 30-year-old woman, and an 11-year-old child sustained minor injuries, while the other two were unharmed,” said a resident.

Due to the presence of unexploded ordnance and remnants of war in the region, awareness campaigns on landmines and explosive devices are regularly conducted in Lae Thit village and surrounding areas.

A detonator is an explosive component often used as a fuse for larger explosives. Some types require a battery connection, while others are ignited by flame. Accidental detonations continue to pose a serious risk to civilians in conflict-affected areas.

Overview of Main Cases

Two Civilians Injured in Drone Attack by Junta Forces in Bilin Township, Mon State

At approximately 2 PM on March 10, junta forces launched an aerial assault, targeting a Karen National Union (KNU) checkpoint along the road connecting the two villages. During the attack, one of the drone bombs detonated near the village road junction, causing serious injuries to two civilians.

The victims have been identified as 60-year-old U Than Hlaing and 51-year-old U Zaw Htun, both from Alu Lay village. They were returning home from their farmland when the explosion occurred.

Eighteen Displaced Villagers from Thein Khun, Tanintharyi, Remain in Junta Custody with No Contact

Eighteen displaced villagers from Thein Khun village, Tanintharyi Township, who the military junta arrested during its offensive operations, remain in detention more than a week later, with no contact with their families. Local sources and aid workers assisting displaced persons have confirmed their continued disappearance.

Since December 17, residents of Thein Khun, a village along the Thailand-Myanmar border trade route, have been forced to flee as military offensives and clashes escalate in the area.

Monk Killed in Airstrike on Kyauk Kwin Village, Kamamaung Town, Papun District

A devastating airstrike by the junta targeted Kyauk Kwin Monastery in Kamamaung sub-township, Papun District, within the Karen National Union (KNU) Brigade 5-controlled territory in Karen State, resulting in the death of a senior monk.

The attack occurred around 4 PM on March 5, when fighter jets dropped bombs on the monastery, destroying the building. Tragically, 62-year-old Abbot Annanta Witunda, who had been ordained for 41 years, was killed instantly.

Toddler Raped and in Life-Threatening Condition

On March 8th, a 20-month-old child from Lake Inn War Taw Street, Thaton Town, Mon State, was raped and left in a life-threatening condition. The rapist has been arrested and is being held in the Thaton Township Police Station and has been charged.