Washington (CNN) The Trump administration is expected to loosen restrictions on the US military's ability to use landmines in the coming days, weapons that have been banned by more than 160 countries due to their history of killing and wounding civilians, multiple Defense Department officials tell CNN. The move represents a major reversal from the approach of the Obama administration which in 2014 committed the US to largely adhering to the 1997 Ottawa Convention, the international agreement which banned the use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel landmines. The easing of restrictions on the use of landmines was criticized by lawmakers and anti-landmine campaigners. "Reports that the White House intends to roll back the policy on anti-personnel landmines are of great concern. The new policy would also allow for the development, production and procurement of landmines only if they have these features.

Source: CNN January 30, 2020 14:50 UTC