Alleged use of prohibited weapons against Myanmar

Last Updated on July 3, 2024 9:05 am

PDF, several rebel groups of the country including Kachin have complained that Myanmar’s ruling junta government is using banned weapons to suppress the rebels. According to their information, these internationally banned chemicals are extremely harmful to the human body.

These weapons are damaging the human respiratory system through chemical reactions. Human rights organizations have called for an investigation into the incident after such allegations. This information came out in the report of Qatar-based media Aljazeera on Tuesday.

According to the report, the Myanmar junta has been accused of using several internationally banned weapons. They include napalm, thermite or white phosphorus; which burns when exposed to air.

The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) Deputy Commander Pho Thaike Maui said, “Chemical bombs sometimes fall on various targets or buildings. When these bombs have nothing to burn, they burn themselves and produce smoke. And this smoke reacts with oxygen to produce poisonous gas, which is very harmful to the human body.

The Free Burma Rangers (FBR), a non-profit organization treating civilians across Myanmar’s front lines, said it had found evidence of junta forces using incendiary weapons and other harmful chemicals. Apart from the junta forces, the State Administration Council (SAC) is using poisonous tear gas, the FBR alleged. They usually use this tear gas for ‘crowd control’.

As soon as it enters the human body, the person becomes dull. Decreased mobility or performance. Human rights organizations feel that further investigation is needed to assess whether international law is being violated after such allegations.

There have been demands to investigate whether civilians are being deliberately targeted with such weapons and take action. However, the Myanmar junta did not respond when contacted for comment on the allegations.