Myanmar’s military is committing war crimes by planting antipersonnel landmines on a “massive scale” in and around villages where fighting between armed groups and the regime take place, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.
A team of Amnesty investigators said that soldiers have placed landmines at the entrances of people’s homes, in backyards and near outside toilets, as well as on paths to rice fields in Kayah State (also known as Karenni State), where anti-military armed groups act.
“The Myanmar military’s use of landmines is abhorrent and cruel,” said Matt Wells, crisis response deputy director – thematic issues for Amnesty, which has received “credible information” the military has laid landmines in at least 20 villages.
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