President Biden on Tuesday banned the use of anti-personnel landmines by the U.S. in most war zones across the globe in a return to Obama-era restrictions that had been rescinded under President Trump.
Under the new policy, the U.S. military will no longer use anti-personnel landmines outside of the Korean Peninsula, and will not produce, acquire or export the weapons except in circumstances related to mine detection, destruction and removal.
Mr. Biden also directed the Pentagon to destroy its stockpiles of anti-personnel mines not required for the defense of South Korea on the divided Korean peninsula.
The White House said the policy reflects “the president’s belief that these weapons have disproportionate impacts on civilians, including children, long after fighting has stopped.