A recent report has highlighted a significant rise in the number of deaths and injuries caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war in 2023.

According to the annual report from the Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor, released on Wednesday, over 5,700 casualties were recorded last year. Myanmar reported the highest casualty count, with substantial numbers also reported in Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine.

The global figure represents an increase of about 1,000 cases compared to the previous year. Across 53 nations, at least 1,983 people lost their lives, while 3,663 were injured. Civilians bore the brunt of these incidents, accounting for 84 percent of the victims, with children comprising 37 percent, the report revealed.

Myanmar alone reported over 1,000 casualties and remains outside the Mine Ban Treaty framework. Syria, which previously held the highest number of annual casualties for three consecutive years, came in second. Both Afghanistan and Ukraine reported more than 500 casualties each.

The report emphasized the indiscriminate nature of landmines: “By design, landmines cannot be targeted at a specific individual, resulting in casualties among whoever sets them off—be it a child, a soldier, or anyone nearby.” The publication also warned that many incidents might go unreported, meaning the real numbers could be even higher.

Myanmar, along with nations like Russia, Iran, and North Korea, has been accused of laying new landmines, continuing patterns seen in prior years. None of these countries have signed the Ottawa Treaty, a global accord prohibiting the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of antipersonnel mines.

The treaty, which came into effect in 1999, has been adopted by 164 nations. However, several major powers—including the United States, Israel, and Russia—remain outside its purview.

On Wednesday, reports emerged that the U.S. is prepared to supply landmines to Ukraine. The International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) condemned this "terrible decision" in a statement to AFP and pledged to advocate against it. The group also urged Ukraine to “unequivocally reject” the use of such weapons.

The report also implicated non-state groups, such as armed factions, in deploying landmines across numerous conflict regions including the Gaza Strip, Colombia, India, Myanmar, and parts of Africa’s Sahel region, such as Burkina Faso and Mali.

Additionally, the study revealed that landmines continue to be manufactured or sourced in 12 countries, including China, Cuba, Singapore, and Vietnam.