Myanmar fighting decreases by 27% in September: research group

By Admin 20 Oct 2024

DMG Newsroom
20 October 2024, Sittwe

The Yangon-based research group Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica said in a report that fighting in Myanmar decreased by nearly 27 percent in September compared with August.

In August, there were at least 708 fighting incidents across 125 townships nationwide, and 520 fighting incidents in 116 townships in September, a decrease of 26.55 percent, the report said.

Sagaing Region saw 92 clashes in September, followed by northern Shan State and Magway Region with 67 and 65 respectively, according to the report. Hundreds of clashes were reported in other regions and states during the period, the report added.

The fighting in northern Shan State decreased by almost half in September compared to last August, but the fighting continued without reductions as significant in Nawnghkio and Hsipaw townships.

Military and political analysts suggested that the decrease in fighting may be due to China's putting pressure on the parties to Myanmar's conflicts to cease their hostilities.

"The Three Brotherhood Alliance has difficulties in carrying out military operations. The areas controlled by the Three Brotherhood Alliance are shared [in terms of influence and interests] with China. China is pressuring the Three Brotherhood Alliance to stop fighting for the sake of its projects and border protection," said a military and political analyst in Arakan State.

Since October 2023, the Three Brotherhood Alliance has been credited with leading the countrywide anti-regime fight. Political analysts say Chinese pressure on the alliance's powerful armed forces, which hold territory along multiple Myanmar borders including with China in the north, to stop fighting is delaying the fall of the dictatorship.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Arakkha Army (AA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), anti-regime militias under the command of the National Unity Government (NUG) and other forces are fighting the Myanmar military in Kayin (Karen), Kachin, Arakan and Chin states, as well as in Sagaing and Tanintharyi regions and elsewhere.

"China will also put pressure on the AA. According to the AA's policy, the offensive will not stop completely, and it is now launching battles for control of towns. As Arakan State is not a Chinese border region like Shan State, China cannot put pressure on the AA to that extent," said a politician.

As the regime builds up force strength through conscription and prepares to launch an offensive against the resistance forces to recapture lost territory, military observers say fighting is likely to continue to intensify across Myanmar.

As a result of the post-coup military conflict in Myanmar, there are 3,350,707 internally displaced people (IDPs) across the country, facing food, health and other crises, according to a report by the BNI Myanmar Peace Monitor.