Intense clashes erupted at the eastern border of Myanmar with Thailand on Saturday, according to both governments. This resulted in a displacement of approximately 3,000 civilians as rebellion groups attempted to dislodge Myanmar junta troops stationed along a bridge at the border crossing for several days.
A combination of resistance militias and native minority rebels successfully took control of the vital commercial hub, Myawaddy, located on the Myanmar side of the border, on April 11th. This signifies a setback for the heavily armed military currently grappling with governance issues and now facing a battlefield legitimacy concern.
Eyewitnesses from both the Thai and Myanmar side of the frontier reported hearing explosive sounds and intense machine gun firing near a key bridge from late Friday to Saturday.
NBT, a Thai broadcasting service, reported in a post on X that the resistance groups utilised 40mm machine guns and released 20 explosives via drones targeting about 200 junta soldiers who had withdrawn from a synchronized rebel attack on Myawaddy and military sites since April 5th.
The state-owned MRTV of Myanmar reported in its nightly news broadcast that the rebel factions had used overwhelming artillery and aerial bombing against the junta forces. In response, the government forces launched air strikes to retain stability. The report claimed the rebels retreated following significant casualties, however, it wasn’t possible for Reuters to immediately confirm this.
Srettha Thavisin, the Thai Prime Minister, expressed his close observation of the escalating unrest, declaring his country’s readiness to contribute humanitarian aid, if required.
As per the data gathered by the Thai military and provincial authorities, a total of 3,027 individuals had crossed the border on Saturday, seeking temporary refuge in the Thai town, Mae Sot.
The Myanmar military is currently confronted with its most severe challenge since it assumed control of the former British colony in 1962. It finds itself entangled in multiple low-key conflicts while making efforts to stabilize a shattered economy following the 2021 coup against Aung San Suu Kyi’s government, a Nobel Prize winner.
The country is currently in a civil war involving the military on one side and a coalition of long-standing ethnic minority armies and an anti-junta resistance movement on the other.
The Thai PM, Srettha, stated that he has given directives to all Thai agencies to prepare for all situations and intended to visit the border area on Tuesday.
Expressing his views on X, he stated that he certainly did not wish to see these conflicts impact Thailand’s territorial integrity. He reassured the readiness to guard their borders and ensure the safety of their citizens.
The seizure of Myawaddy and neighbouring military stations proves to be a substantial drawback for a ruling body already under pressure from Western trade restrictions. The city is a crucial income generation source through taxation and serves as a channel for over $1 billion in annual border commerce. The Thai foreign ministry expressed its hopes for a swift return to normalcy and has implored the Myanmar authorities to ensure the conflict doesn’t infiltrate its borders.
“We have contacted the Myanmar embassy in Thailand to caution them against infringing upon Thai sovereignty, both terrestrial and aerial, and jeopardising the safety of individuals in the border regions,” stated Nikorndej Balankura, the spokesperson. – Reuters. Copyright © Thompson Reuters 2024.