Fifteen civilians killed and 35,000 displaced in Chin State
At least 15 civilians have been killed and 30 have been injured since October in at least 2,500 airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force during a military counteroffensive in Falam Township, Chinland, according to the Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) in a report released on Monday. Falam, located about 68 miles (109 km) north of the Chin State capital Hakha, was seized by the Chin Brotherhood in April.
The ICA report on March 9 stated that 85 percent of all Falam residents, roughly 35,200, had fled their homes over the last five months of battle. It added that around 200 regime troops and at least 42 resistance members have been killed in Falam during that period. Over 60 civilian buildings, including hospitals, schools and churches, have been either damaged or destroyed by regime airstrikes and arson attacks, according to the ICA.
Chin resistance groups, as well as the Arakan Army (AA) have seized Kanpetlet, Mindat, Matupi, and Paletwa townships, located between 105-286 miles (169–461 km) south of Hakha, as well as Tonzang, located 175 miles (282 km) north of Hakha, in 2024. The regime controls Hakha, Thantlang and Tedim, located 22-117 miles (35-188 km) west and north of Hakha. Chin State has a total of nine townships.
Civil society groups call on NUG to investigate PDF
The All Burma Women’s Union and 149 other civil society organizations on Monday demanded that the National Unity Government (NUG) investigate the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Yinmabin District, where a female PDF member alleged she was raped, tortured and harrassed by a male member during her detention from December to January. Yinmabin is located 28 miles (45 km) west of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.
“Although the rape was committed by one man, I believe the whole [PDF battalion] was responsible. If the detention facility was safe, I wouldn’t have been tortured or violated,” the female PDF member told DVB on the condition of anonymity. She added that had been detained on Dec. 26 for seeking 20,000 MMK ($5 USD) in donations for the PDF from nearby villages without permission from her commanding officers.
The female PDF member added that she is married with a three-year-old child and is now worried for their safety. The NUG Ministry of Home Affairs stated on March 8 that the accused rapist has been “detained and interrogated.” The Women’s League of Burma stated on Feb. 1 that at least 900 cases of sexual abuse have been inflicted on women by regime forces, and some resistance forces, since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
Five new vessels to ‘strengthen’ Myanmar Navy
Regime media reported on Monday that regime leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing inaugurated the opening ceremony of a 40,000-ton dry dock and five “domestically built” Burma Navy vessels, including a frigate, at the Naval Dockyard Command in Yangon Region’s Thanlyin Township on Sunday. Thanlyin is located eight miles (13 km) southeast of Yangon.
A military analyst told DVB on the condition of anonymity that a stronger Navy is part of the regime’s plan to launch a renewed counteroffensive to regain territory seized by the AA in Arakan State since November 2023. “The AA has blocked land routes through Bago and Ayeyarwady regions into Rakhine State, so the naval route is the only option [for regime forces],” he added.
The military analyst added that the dry dock had been built with “Beijing support” over three phases since 1998. The AA has been attacking regime outposts, including the Shwemingan Naval Base, in villages located 1-5 mile (1.6-8 km) northeast of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, since Feb. 23. The AA has seized 14 of Arakan’s 17 townships, as well as Paletwa in southern Chin State.
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News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Familes told DVB that the new fuel rationing system for private vehicles has been causing concern as matriculation exams begin today and continue until March 17. Electric vehicles and public transportation are exempt. But many families rely on motorcycles for transportation.
Since March 7, even-numbered plates can only operate on even dates, while odd-numbered plates on odd-numbered dates. A source close to the region’s Department of Education told DVB that parents taking their children to matriculation exams will be exempt from the new “even-odd” system until March 17.
NAYPYIDAW—Regime media reported that the Gyaing, or Zathabyin, Bridge in the Karen State capital Hpa-An and the Attaran Bridge in the Mon State capital Mawlamyine were inaugurated on Sunday. The bridges will “enhance connectivity” along the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) with Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
BBC reported that the EWEC will serve as a land corridor linking the Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean without the need to use the Strait of Malacca. It added that this will reduce transport time between Thilawa Port in Yangon and Da Nang Port in Vietnam by land from eight days to around 27 hours.
TANINTHARYI—The Karen National Union (KNU) claimed that the bodies of a Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) member and another unknown man were discovered in a village located in Dawei Township on Sunday. This comes one day after the two were detained by the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA).
Eh Nar, the KNU secretary for the districts of Myeik and Dawei, told DVB that the KTLA has been assisting regime forces in a counteroffensive against the KNLA near Dawei. Five KNLA members were injured during an alleged KTLA ambush in Dawei on March 4, according to the KNU.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,940 MMK)
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