Landmine casualties hit 4-year high, driven by conflicts in Syria, Myanmar

Conflict zones in Syria and Myanmar are showing the steepest increases

Reuters/Bdnews24, December 1,2025

Deaths and injuries from landmines and unexploded ordnance hit a four-year high in 2024, driven by conflicts in Syria and Myanmar, a new report showed on Monday.

The data comes as a number of European countries move to withdraw from a treaty banning landmine use, citing the threat of Russian aggression.

More than 6,000 incidents were recorded last year, including 1,945 deaths and 4,325 injuries, the highest annual total since 2020, according to the Landmine Monitor 2025 report. Nearly 90 percent of victims were civilians, with almost half women and children.

The surge was seen mainly in conflict zones in Syria and Myanmar. In Syria, returning residents face growing risks from unexploded ordnance following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad, the report said.

Myanmar recorded the highest number of incidents, over 2,000, due to increased use by both the army and non-state armed groups, the report said.