Conflict zone expanded in October: Myanmar research group

By Admin 28 Nov 2024

DMG Newsroom
28 November 2024, Mrauk-U

Conflict zones in Myanmar expanded slightly last month compared with September, according to a report by Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica issued on Wednesday.

September saw at least 520 clashes in 116 townships, while in October, there were at least 521 clashes across 125 townships, with nine more townships experiencing active conflict.

“We assume that resistance forces based in central Myanmar are trying to expand their operations to connect with territories controlled by the ethnic revolutionary organisations (EROs),” Ko Moe Htet Nay, a political and research advisor at Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica, told DMG. “We can assume they are intensifying their operations and not giving the enemy a break. We expect the conflict zones to expand further, with efforts to secure routes connecting ERO-controlled areas with central Myanmar.”

The majority of clashes involved ground combat, drone strikes, and mine attacks. There were 327 clashes and 56 drone strikes by resistance forces, according to the report.

In October, the junta carried out at least 84 airstrikes, while resistance forces captured four towns and 42 junta positions, including battalions, camps, headquarters, strategic hills, and police stations, said the report.

Military activities were the highest in Arakan State, with 125 operations, followed by  Sagaing Region with 60 and Magwe with 55.

“The AA is focusing on capturing the junta’s nerve centres in Arakan after securing most territories. They are also cutting off supply routes, which led to an increase in the number of clashes,” said Ko Moe Htet Nay.

As conflict zones expand, more civilians are being displaced by the junta’s air and artillery strikes.

In many conflict zones, civilians remain trapped amid airstrikes, artillery shellings and intense battles, facing daily threats to their lives.

“Living in a conflict zone means constantly fearing when a shell might hit near you. We are more concerned about the junta’s airstrikes. We can’t sleep well at night because of the fear,” said a displaced woman from Maungdaw Town.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) reported on Wednesday that 3.4 million people have been displaced across Myanmar due to rampant armed clashes, shelling, airstrikes and military operations since the 2021 coup.

According to BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor, there were 5,559 incidents involving armed conflict between the February 1, 2021, coup and November 5 of this year.