• Maeve @lemmygrad.ml
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    9 days ago

    Both BLU-91/B and BLU-92/B mines are activated two minutes after being deployed; however, a very small number can fail to properly arm and explode. These mines also have self-destruct features with a variable delay which means they may randomly explode hours or days after they are dispensed. They may also explode if disturbed. These features make them particularly dangerous. The self-destruct can be set for 4 hours, 48 hours, or 15 days, but the mines may self-destruct before then… In addition to the self-destruct features, the BLU-92/B anti-personnel mines have an anti-handling device (AHD) that is intended to make the mine explode when disturbed. While BLU-91/B anti-tank mines do not have an anti-handling device (AHD), they “may detonate when moved, because the mine may sense a significant change from its original orientation.” Amael Kotlarski of Janes told Bellingcat that “The mine will go off if subjected to significant movement.” This could explain local reports that a man was killed when he picked one up near his car. The US is the only participant in the war known to possess these mines. They were developed after the US stopped supplying arms to Iran. A review of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute’s (SIPRI) Arms Transfer Database, and US Major Arms Sales does not show any transfers of these mines to Israel. Dr Jenzen-Jones also told Bellingcat that “Scatterable anti-tank landmines may have been employed to deny vehicles access to or from so-called ‘missile cities’. This could both prevent TELs [missile launch vehicles] from leaving, and limit efforts to re-establish access to facilities (for example, by preventing excavators from operating at collapsed entrances).”

    Mass murder Nazi regime.

    • amemorablename@lemmygrad.ml
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      9 days ago

      I don’t know what it is about this one that is enraging me more than other stuff. There’s already so much that’s horrific. I guess something about the terrorist nature of turning someone’s own land into a potential death field, via randomness. Mines are already bad enough as it is without that. Like I don’t see how there is any other way to see it than intent to terrorize. Whoever invented these has a lot to answer for.

      • Maeve @lemmygrad.ml
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        9 days ago

        Every time I think I’ve caught a glimpse of how bad humans can be, I’m surprised again. But then I look at people of Cuba, Iran, China, Burkina Faso, and an reminded of how high humanity can soar. It’s incredible, the extremes we can go to, depending on if we listen to our best or worst selves.