In late April, the Myanmar military launched a drone attack on Kachin resistance fighters in northern Kachin State, seriously injuring three men. The men were sent to a hidden hospital in the jungle for treatment, but two of them experienced unexplained rapid deterioration in their health. Doctors identified unusual symptoms, including rapid necrosis, not typically seen in blast wounds. The use of banned chemical weapons was suspected, as the wounds appeared to decompose rapidly without a clear reason. The Kachin People’s Defense Force (PDF) fighter, Aung Nge, survived but had to undergo a mid-arm amputation due to the severity of his injuries.
Under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, the use of chemical weapons and other prohibited munitions is banned. However, Myanmar, which has a history of using banned weapons against ethnic armed groups, is not a signatory to these conventions. Reports from various resistance groups suggest that the Myanmar military continues to use prohibited weapons in ongoing conflicts across the country.
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) is currently investigating these claims of chemical weapon use, with human rights experts urging for credible verification and potential sanctions for violations. The National Unity Government (NUG) has also expressed concern over the use of prohibited weapons by the military. Civilians caught in conflict zones have reported experiencing symptoms consistent with exposure to chemical weapons, highlighting the need for further investigation and international oversight.
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