Karenni Resistance Grapples with Landmines Leftover from Burma Army
By Network Media Group
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
Karenni resistance forces are struggling to clear the landmines left by retreating regime forces in towns and areas captured since launching Operation 1111 to force the Military Council out of Karenni State.
“Resistance groups have begun landmine removal in liberated towns but are not following internal standards. Our troops are trying to remove landmines in their own way,” said U Banyar, the second secretary of the Karenni State Interim Executive Council.
He explained that soldiers are using two methods to clear the hidden explosives: either manually or with bulldozers to dig them up and then deactivate the bombs.
“Until today, we are still unable to clear landmines from the majority of areas, but resistance groups have cleared them from essential public areas and roadways,” Banyar told NMG. He mentioned it takes time, estimating it could take at least three months to clear them in Loikaw and six months in Demoso, near the Karenni State capital.
Landmine removal has already commenced in Mese, Shadaw, Mawchi, Demoso, Nam Mae Khon, Ywathit, and Mobye towns, all of which have been captured by the resistance in recent months.
A soldier from the Demoso PDF stated they’ve already removed hundreds of landmines laid by retreating junta soldiers but can’t ascertain how many more are still present.
As the Military Council wraps many of its landmines in plastic before burying them, it becomes difficult to detect them with traditional landmine detectors, which the resistance forces lack.
“We have to use a tractor to turn up the earth and search for the landmines. In some cases, our soldiers take 1 to 2 days to clear landmines inside a village. Currently, we have had to stop our removal efforts as the Military Council has been frequently shelling villages with artillery,” the soldier explained.
Banyar emphasized the need for international support, including finances and technology, to clear the landmines in Karenni State, estimating it could take at least a year.
“If we have sufficient technical and financial support, I believe we can clear landmines in Shadaw, Mese, and Hpasawn towns within one month.”
Despite the Burma army fleeing towns like Demoso due to the dangers posed by hidden explosives, most people displaced by the conflict still cannot return home. Some civilians who did return to their homes have been killed or injured when they stepped on or drove over landmines.
