Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Reuters: US military carried out a new strike targeting a ship in the Caribbean Sea
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli raids targeted a cement plant, an asphalt factory, and fuel tanks in the Ansar area in South Lebanon
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: A series of violent Israeli raids targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli warplanes raided the outskirts of the town of Shmestar in Bekaa, eastern Lebanon
Donald Trump will speak with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Thursday: White House
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes raid the town of Bnaafoul, Saida district
YAF: Israeli enemy will pay for this crime.
Yemeni Armed Forces: Son of Major General Al-Ghamari martyred alongside him in Israeli aggression.
Yemeni Armed Forces: YAF mourns martyrdom of Chief of the General Staff Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Palestinian shot and killed by IOF east of Al-Bureij camp in the central Gaza Strip

US bombing in Vietnam War killing Laotian people to date

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 16 Jun 2022 20:26
  • 1 Shares
2 Min Read

Around 270 million US bombs dropped in Laos during the Vietnam War are still killing people today.

  • x
  • US bombing during Vietnam War leaves deadly legacy to Laotian people.
    US bombing during Vietnam War leaves a deadly legacy to the Laotian people.

Countless unexploded bombs shelled on Laos by the US during the Vietnam War are still killing people decades later.

In total, the US military dropped approximately 270 million bombs in Laos during what became known as the US "secret war", a mission led by the CIA during the Vietnam War.

Sonjak Bualapha, who lives in Xiangkhouang Province, survived the US bombing. He was only a young man when the war began. He became blind and lost his arms as a result of his inability to escape the bombing.

"The bomb already fell before we could even make it to the bunker. My father died, and both my brother and I were injured. I was disabled as I lost my hands and my eyes were blind," he said.

Related News

ANZ forecasts gold to hit $4,400 by year-end, peak at $4,600 in 2026

Top US commander in Latin America steps down amid growing scrutiny

The United States left a large number of unexploded ordnance (UXO) during that time period. Some of them have been preserved in a UXO Garden in Xiangkhouang Province, which has become powerful evidence of the US army's atrocities in Laos.

The constant bombing by the United States deeply traumatized and disrupted the lives of those who lived through that difficult time.

"During the period of time when US imperialism bombed Laos' Xiangkhouang Province, people could only dig bunkers among mountains and forests or hide inside caves to avoid bombing," said Khanthong Vongamkha, political commissar of a troop under Xiangkhouang Province's military command.

For the time being, the Lao government has been clearing UXO for over 20 years; however, there are still countless US bombs scattered between mountains, which has been a nightmare for the Laotian people.

"The great number of UXO in Laos has posed a great threat to the agricultural production, especially to farmers. When they plant crops like rice, cassava, and corns on the farmland, they may face danger. Each year, a large number of people die because of UXO," said Phonekeo Orladom, commander of Lao UXO removal unit.

Read next: Babies born deformed: The US' toxic burn pits in Iraq

  • Vietnam
  • United States
  • Lao

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
The bodies of deceased Palestinians, held by Israel during the war, lie in plastic bags on the floor of Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza, following their release, Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

'Israel' returns 30 Palestinian bodies; some bear marks of torture

Gaza buried under 70 million tons of war debris as crisis deepens
Politics

Gaza buried under 70 million tons of debris, 20,000 lingering UXOs

Ex-White House adviser Ashley Tellis charged over secret files
Politics

Ex-White House advisor accused of amassing troves of top secret files

An Israeli soldier rests by a mobile artillery unit at a gathering point on the border with the Gaza Strip, in southern “Israel”, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. (AP)
Politics

Global arms bans isolate 'Israel', yet its war machine keeps running

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS