AA removes 200 landmines in Maungdaw on western border

Narinjara News, 16 March 2026

The Arakan Army (AA) mine clearance team, responsible for locating and removing landmines from the conflict ridden areas in Rakhine State, has eliminated over 200 items left by the junta forces in Maungdaw district, near the Bangladesh border, between 2025 and 2026.

The district comprising Buthidaung and Maungdaw townships once witnessed the presence of a large number of border guards, including military battalions, before it was captured by the AA fighters.

Military sources close to the AA informed Narinjara News that many mines were strategically placed near the camps and in forest areas by the junta forces during clashes with the AA members.

According to the AA statistics, 212 mines were successfully removed by January this year.

The AA conducted the operation near 766-battalion in Maungdaw focusing on roads and the Mya Kan Tha dam. They found 78 M-14 mines in January, said APM news agency.

Earlier, the mine clearance team uncovered a 9-inch front-facing mine and 2 landmines from Thayet Pyin school periphery in Buthidaung locality during September last year.

In the same month, the AA team cleared many areas where the military council established camps to face the conflicts in various forests, roads and residential areas. Now those areas have become safe for Maungdaw residents. Altogether 128 landmines were disarmed.

Now the team is conducting the operation in a number of towns, villages and other areas in the Arakan region.

The landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) remain a vital matter that needs urgent attention as the Rakhine people often fall victim to this hazard. The residents have been urged to contact the nearest AA office if they encounter any landmines or suspicious items.