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New data shows most anti-vehicle mine incidents occur in current conflicts

Two members of the United Nations Mine Action Service in a mine clearance site in Aru Junction, South Sudan in 2015
Two members of the United Nations Mine Action Service clearing an anti-tank mine and two anti-personnel mines in Aru Junction, South Sudan in May 2015. Photo: UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

SIPRI and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) recorded 106 incidents related or suspected to be related to anti-vehicle mines (AVMs) during JanuaryJune 2016.

These incidents occurred in 17 states and territories and resulted in 220 casualties (84 fatalities and 136 injuries). While the number of incidents increased by more than 9% compared to the same period the previous year, incidents caused fewer casualties (-38%). Two thirds of casualties were recorded in current conflicts in Ukraine, Afghanistan, Mali, Syria and Yemen. In their 2015 Global Report, SIPRI and GICHD recorded 598 casualties in 178 incidents in 25 states and territories.

While anti-personnel mines were outlawed by the 1997 Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, the use of AVMs has been regulated, but thus far not prohibited despite their significant humanitarian and developmental impact.

All recorded incidents and their location and description are available on an interactive map. The map is updated biannually.