How Many More Lives Will Be Lost to the Arakan Army's Landmine Terror?

Along the Bangladesh-Myanmar frontier, landmines have transformed farmland, forest paths and traditional livelihood areas into invisible killing zones. Farmers gathering crops, workers collecting firewood and residents travelling between border villages now risk death or permanent injury simply for carrying out ordinary daily activities.

On 24 May 2026, three Bangladeshi civilians were killed in a landmine explosion near the zero line at Ghumdhum. Border Guard Bangladesh data cited in the media recorded at least 36 mine-explosion incidents between 8 December 2024 and 12 May 2026. Dozens of Bangladeshis and Rohingya civilians have reportedly been killed or injured in mine-related incidents along the frontier.

The Arakan Army currently controls almost the entire Myanmar side of the border. Bangladeshi officials have repeatedly accused the group of continuing to place landmines near the frontier, including areas close to the zero line. The United League of Arakan, the Arakan Army's political wing, has denied responsibility for explosions inside Bangladesh. A denial, however, cannot replace an independent investigation, transparent disclosure of mine locations or meaningful cooperation with humanitarian demining efforts.

Arakan Army Commander-in-Chief Twan Mrat Naing must answer a fundamental question: How can his organisation claim political legitimacy or responsible territorial administration while civilians continue to lose their lives in areas under its control?

Landmines cannot distinguish between a soldier and a farmer, between an armed fighter and a child, or between a military vehicle and an animal searching for food. They remain active long after fighting has moved elsewhere, creating fear, displacement, poverty and lifelong suffering.

Unity Rights Network condemns this pattern as landmine terror. The phrase “Landmine Terrorist Arakan Army” is severe, but so is the reality faced by border communities who cannot safely enter their own farmland, forests or traditional movement routes.

What the Arakan Army Must Do

The Arakan Army and its leadership must immediately:

• End all use and placement of antipersonnel landmines near civilian and border areas.
• Disclose maps and coordinates of suspected or confirmed mine locations.
• Permit independent humanitarian organisations to conduct surveys and clearance operations.
• Install visible warning signs and provide accurate risk information to surrounding communities.
• Cooperate with independent investigations into every civilian death and injury.
• Provide medical assistance, rehabilitation and compensation to victims and their families.

The international community, regional governments and human-rights organisations must not remain silent. Political objectives can never justify weapons that continue killing after fighters have left the battlefield.

Every unexploded mine is a future victim waiting to be claimed. Every day without disclosure and clearance places another civilian life at risk. Twan Mrat Naing and the Arakan Army must be held accountable for protecting civilians in the territory they control.

How many more lives must be destroyed before the landmine terror ends?