Landmine Casualties Rise to Four-Year High Amidst Treaty Challenges
Global casualties from anti-personnel mines surged to a four-year high in 2023, coinciding with growing challenges to the 1997 mine Ban Treaty, according to a new report by the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor. The report highlights a concerning trend of weakening adherence to the treaty, coupled with a critical funding shortfall impacting mine-action programs worldwide.
The Monitor’s findings reveal that at least 57 states and other areas remain contaminated with anti-personnel mines, including 32 States Parties to the treaty. Seven countries – Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Iraq, Türkiye, and Ukraine – are considered “massively” contaminated. While Oman completed mine clearance in 2025, becoming the first State Party to do so since 2020, and over half of affected States Parties reduced contamination through survey and clearance efforts last year, the overall goal of a mine-free world by 2025 remains substantially out of reach. Researchers now estimate 2030 as a more realistic, though still enterprising, target.
The treaty itself is facing unprecedented strain. Five European States Parties – Estonia, Finland, Latvia, lithuania, and Poland – are initiating legal withdrawals, citing altered security conditions following Russia’s 2022 full-scale invasion of ukraine. Ukraine’s government maintains it can “suspend” treaty obligations during the ongoing international armed conflict, a position disputed by the Monitor based on the treaty’s legal framework. the report also notes indications of new mine use by Ukrainian forces in 2024-2025,including potential deployment via drones,though the extent of this remains unclear.
Beyond Ukraine, the Monitor confirms continued mine use by Myanmar and the Russian Federation.Allegations of mine use by Cambodian forces along the Thai border have also surfaced, with Thailand providing evidence of newly laid mines causing injuries to its soldiers.
A significant contributing factor to the escalating crisis is a severe funding shortfall. The sector is heavily reliant on a small number of major donors, particularly the United States.A US-imposed funding freeze in 2025 has already led to the suspension and termination of mine-action programs in Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, colombia, Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe.
The impact is particularly acute in victim assistance, which has experienced a 23% reduction in international support. Conflict-affected health systems in countries like Ukraine and palestine are struggling to cope with a rising number of amputations.
Researchers emphasize that without increased financial support, stronger political commitment, and full compliance with the treaty, mine contamination will continue to spread faster than humanitarian organizations can address it, leaving millions at risk for decades to come.
