Thousands of people are newly displaced, with some crossing into China, as fighting intensifies between Myanmar’s junta and ethnic rebel groups in areas near the border.
Key points:
- Myanmar’s junta is continuing to air strike territory controlled by a rebel group in Kachin state
- It is also fighting an alliance of ethnic armed groups in Shan state
- Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese officials about the clashes
The junta launched a second day of air strikes on Wednesday, bombing territory in the northernmost Kachin state controlled by ethnic armed group Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a rebel spokesperson told AFP.
Since Friday, the junta also has been battling an alliance of ethnic rebel groups across the neighbouring north-eastern Shan state.
Shan is home to oil and gas pipelines that supply China and a planned billion-dollar rail link, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road global infrastructure project.
The offensive, called “Operation 1027”, was launched by the “Three Brotherhood Alliance”, made up of the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
The three groups — which analysts say can call on at least 15,000 fighters between them — have fought regularly with the military since the 2021 coup.
In a joint statement, the groups said the operation was driven by the “collective desire to safeguard the lives of civilians, assert our right to self-defence, maintain control over our territory and respond resolutely to ongoing artillery attacks and air strikes” by the military government.
They said they seized sections of key roads to China — Myanmar’s biggest trade partner — since the beginning of their Friday offensive.
On Tuesday, China’s minister for public security met with junta chief Min Aung Hlaing for a second day of talks with top junta officials about the clashes, according to Myanmar state media.
They discussed attacks by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army “security camps” in Myanmar’s north-east “with attempts to deteriorate peace and stability in the region,” the junta-controlled Global New Light of New Myanmar newspaper reported.
On Wednesday, the groups said they were in “complete control” of Chinshwehaw town on the China border, and Hsenwi, which sits on the road to the China border.
The junta did not immediately respond to question by AFP about whether it still controls the towns.
The United Nations has said more than 6,200 people have been newly displaced in townships across northern Shan due to clashes between the Three Brotherhood Alliance and military junta.
It also said unverified reports said around 500 people fled across the border to China for safety.
Beijing maintains ties with some ethnic armed groups along its border with Myanmar, home to ethnic Chinese communities who use Chinese SIM cards and currency.
Beijing has previously denied reports it has supplied the armed groups with weapons.
Earlier this month, nearly 30 people were killed and dozens wounded in a strike on a camp for displaced people in the neighbouring Kachin state.
The KIA blamed the junta for the attack.
AFP/ABC/AP