Long-term progress in reducing the number of landmine casualties was reversed last year, and rebel groups used the mines in 10 countries, the largest number since 2006, researchers said yesterday.

Non-state groups were still using the deadly devices in the 12 months to October 2015 in Colombia, Libya, Myanmar, Pakistan, Syria and Yemen, and in Afghanistan, where there was a sharp increase in casualties from improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Landmines were also used by rebels in three countries - Iraq, Tunisia and Ukraine - where they were not used last year, and by three states: Myanmar, Syria and North Korea.

"While the world has made great progress, the past year has seen disturbing steps backward in terms of new use of and casualties from landmines," said Jeff Abramson, editor of the study, which was carried out by the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, a lobby group.

A total of 3,678 people were killed or wounded by landmines over the last year, about 10 per day. This is up from 3,308 in 2013 but far lower than in 1999.