Myanmar: Coup generals in distress due to armed resistance near China Ukraine reports successes on the left bank of the Dnipro – the night update without photos

The military in Myanmar has run into serious problems in several parts of the country due to armed resistance from ethnic groups. Since the end of October, there has been particularly heavy fighting in eastern Shan State, on the border with China. “Since the start of the operation, more than 154 bases and outposts of the Myanmar military have been occupied by the Brother Alliance,” a spokesperson for ISP Myanmar, a non-governmental think tank, told the German News Agency on Tuesday.

The alliance consists of three groups: the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA). All three are traditionally very close to China. According to its own information and media reports, the brother alliance also managed to take over at least six small towns in the region.

Tens of thousands on the run

MNDAA spokesman Li Kyarwen told dpa that at least 150 soldiers of the ruling junta had been killed. The information could not initially be independently verified. According to the UN, tens of thousands of people are fleeing in the border region alone. Many are trying to reach China.

For the junta, it is one of the biggest military challenges since it came to power in February 2021. Since the generals’ coup, the former Burma – a multi-ethnic state – has descended into chaos and violence. Deposed former head of government Aung San Suu Kyi is in prison.

Fighting in different parts of the country

In other states – such as Chin State on the border with India and Bangladesh, Karenni State in the far east and in the Sagaing region – armed groups are said to have risen against the army and taken over several towns and military posts. Nearly 450 soldiers have laid down all their weapons in different parts of the country, reports “The Irrawaddy” newspaper. “The actual number could be higher as more and more junta positions are being abandoned,” the newspaper wrote.

Given the successes of the resistance groups, the junta-appointed president of the crisis state Myint Swe warned almost two weeks ago that the country would collapse. “If the government does not effectively tackle the incidents in the border region, it will divide the country into different parts,” he said. (sda/dpa)