Bangladeshi Border Residents Become Victims of Myanmar's Civil War

TaiwanPlus News

Landmines from Myanmar's internal unrest are posing a danger to Bangladeshi border residents. Several incidents in the past year have left people missing limbs and no longer able to provide for their families.

Transcript

00:00In the dense forest along the border of Bangladesh and Myanmar, danger lurks.

00:06It's something Ali Hossein, who lives in a small town nearby, knows all too well.

00:11In early 2025, a short trek into the forest for firewood changed his life.

00:18After crossing the road, I didn't go more than 10 meters when the mine exploded.

00:23Hossein lost his left leg to a landmine and has since been unable to return to work at a rubber plantation.

00:28Now he relies on a prosthetic leg and crutch to get around.

00:32And his two sons collect firewood after school to pay his medical bills.

00:39I could easily earn four U.S. dollars a day before, but now I can't even earn 80 cents.

00:45How am I supposed to maintain a living? It's too difficult for me now.

00:48I can't even buy my son a sweater this winter.

00:51Bangladesh blames decades of clashes between Myanmar's military and armed ethnic groups near the border,

00:57made worse since Myanmar's junta overthrew the democratic government in 2021, sparking a civil war.

01:04Bangladeshi police say at least 28 people were injured by mines in 2025 alone,

01:09and one border guard died after losing both of his legs.

01:14But in a region where economic opportunities are scarce, people still rely on the forest to make a living.

01:20We tell the people not to go near the Myanmar border, as some of our brothers have already lost their legs.

01:28People know that as well. Still, we warn them every time.

01:32Bangladeshi's border force warns nearby residents against going into the forest

01:36and conducts regular minesweeping operations.

01:39But they say it's up to those fighting in Myanmar to stop using these weapons,

01:43which have already been banned in over 160 countries.

01:46It's not justified in any way.

01:51There is no justification of setting mines at the border from the perspective of humanity.

01:56With explosives hidden in the forest where these people make a living,

01:59many have no choice but to take the risk in order to provide for their families

02:03and hope that they don't become victims of the war next door.

02:07Eason Chen and Tiffany Wong for Taiwan Plus.

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