RENEWED CIVIL WAR IN MYANMAR

With the junta losing its grip on power and rebels making gains, both India and China have to rework their strategies towards Naypyidaw, writes SIMRAN SODHI

- SIMRAN SODHI

The news coming out of Myanmar in the last few months has been troubling, raising security for the region, especially for concerns China. The latest news that another town on Myanmar's Northern border with China has fallen into the hands of the rebels is a fresh worry. China has been one of the closest allies of the military junta in Myanmar and is now increasingly frustrated with the inability of the junta to crackdown or control the rebel groups.

In the latest update from Myanmar, according to Reuters News Agency, The "Three Brotherhood Alliance", which is the rebel alliance group, said it took over Laukkai town after the military's regional headquarters located there surrendered.

This then marks the latest victory by the rebel alliance which began their operations against the military junta October 2023 and has made considerable progress since then.

This alliance comprises three groups which have extensive fighting experience; the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA). They have now been joined by individuals from the People's Defence Force, which in turn is supported by Myanmar's parallel National Unity Government (NUG). Many analysts point out that all this suggests that the rebel fighting is being done with a great deal of coordination and planning.

China's reaction

Since last October as the fighting between the rebels and the military junta (which has been in power since a coup took place in 20121) intensified, China has called for a ceasefire. After this latest infighting in which five people were injured by artillery shells in Chinese territory, China spoke out strongly on the issue.