4/11/2024 Myanmar (International Christian Concern) — The Burmese military, or Tatmadaw, has waged war on the country’s many ethnic and religious minority communities since the country gained independence in 1948. Despite massive military expenditures — estimates place Burmese military spending at about 3.3% of GDP, and experts say the junta has imported more than $1 billion in arms since taking over the country in 2021 — rebel groups have chalked up regular victories in recent months.
This week, a rebel coalition comprised of various ethnic militias captured the vital town of Myawaddy on the country’s eastern border with Thailand. The town was the primary point for billions of dollars worth of trade between the two countries. Although significant, the full economic impact of Myawaddy’s fall to the rebels is yet to be understood.
The loss is considered the junta’s largest since a major offensive was launched against it last fall. Hundreds of government troops surrendered to the rebels outside of Myawaddy, adding to the regime’s woes.
Experts believe that the Tatmadaw is atrophying rapidly, with as few as 150,000 personnel remaining after the loss of about 21,000 through casualties or desertions since the 2021 coup. This number is significantly smaller than previous estimates of 300,000-400,000 and calls into question the junta’s ability to sustain its nationwide military campaign. Research from the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar suggests that anti-junta militias gains have reduced the area under solid Tatmadaw control to as little as 17%.
Separately, rebel forces also launched a coordinated drone strike on the capital city of Naypyidaw. Though authorities reported no considerable damage from the attack, it shows increasing boldness on the part of the rebels.
Earlier this month, the U.N. released figures showing a threefold increase in civilian casualties by landmines in 2023 over the previous year, verifying 1,052 incidents in 2023 compared to 390 in 2022. More than 20% of victims, the U.N. said in a statement, were children.
“Children are particularly vulnerable to landmines as they are less likely to recognize them and may be unaware of their dangers,” the U.N. said, going on to explain that “the widespread deployment of weapons throughout the country means that children can encounter landmines practically anywhere, including near their homes, schools, playgrounds, and farming areas.”
Though Myanmar’s population is about 87% Buddhist, pockets of minority religious communities exist throughout the country, including in Kayeh state, where about 46% of the population identifies as Christian. On Myanmar’s western border with India, Chin State is about 85% Christian, while Rakhine State is home to a significant population of Rohingya people, most of whom are Muslim.
Representing an extremist interpretation of Buddhism, the Tatmadaw has long persecuted these ethnic and religious minorities with severe campaigns of violence and intimidation.
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