Military conflicts have erupted in at least four main locations across Myanmar over the last two weeks forcing local people to flee.

Fighting between the Military Council and members of the People's Defense Forces has intensified in the ethnic areas of Kachin and Shan states, as well as in Rakhine State and Sagaing Division.

KACHIN STATE

Kachin State located in Myanmar's far north saw unrest in Putao. Fighting raged for more than a week since the Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-led Putao People's Defense Forces (PLA) stormed the Suampeyan military base in Putao Township on 1 February, the one-year anniversary of Myannar’s military coup.

The Khong Lan Phu people’s militia has occupied the Sumpeyan military base starting from 2019 and stationed as a joint venture with the Military Council troops since the coup. The group, led by Rwandan Dam Ku Tan (aka Ye Dam Tan), is said to have received military training and strong weapons support from the military before the coup.

On the evening of 3 February, the Military Council launched an airstrike after the capture of the stronghold of Suampeyan. The attack destroyed homes and injured some local people, according to sources. Nearly 1,000 local people fled to the jungle for fear of airstrikes at night. The airstrikes ran for two days in a row.

On 7 February, a local military group marched from Putao to Suampeyan base and was intercepted by the KIA-led People's Defense Forces (PLA).

SHAN STATE

Fighting between ethnic armed groups is also taking place in Yatsauk Township, Shan State, one of the largest states. Fighting between the two Shan armed groups, the Shan State Restoration Council (RCSS) and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP), continued for more than four days.

Fighting erupted on 8 and 9 February, with many villagers trapped in the villages, though over 2,000 were able to flee.

During the fighting, more than 20 soldiers, including the RCSS brigade commander, and about 30 weapons were confiscated and detained in accordance with the POW (Prisoners of War) law, SSPP spokesman Colonel Sai Phone Han told Mizzima.

Both sides have said they do not want fighting and the way to dialogue is open. Currently, fighting has ceased, but military tension remains high.

SAGAING

Since the 2021 coup, Sagaing has seen heavy ground and air attacks by the Military Council and has proved to be a stronghold of local militias opposed to the junta. Heavy fighting has forced many local people to flee.

Approximately 10,000 villagers from ten villages in Sagaing Division were forced to flee due to the army's clearance in Pearl Township on 5 February as joint local People's Defense Forces attacked the Pearl City Police Station, and the Military Council troops fired back with heavy artillery.

The junta military troops burned down more than 1,000 houses from Pan, Mwe Tone, Kaing Gyi and Hlawgar villages in Pearl Township, Sagaing Division starting from 31 January. Also, junta troops burned down the Mu Thar and Mauk Tat villages near Sanin Vin village as Pyu Saw Htee and junta troops stationed in San Win village, about five miles from Minkin town, were attacked by the People's Defense Forces.

RAKHINE STATE

In Rakhine State, which is largely controlled by the Arakan Army (AA), fighting has resumed with the junta military troops in Maungdaw since 4 February. Fighting broke out when LIB 352 Battalion 1 entered the Arakan Army base. As of 7 February, two civilians had been killed in the fighting, and 11 combatants, including Major Myint Swe Win from the Military Council, had been killed.

After heavy fighting from December 2018 to November 2020, the fighting resumed at the beginning of the second month of 2022.

REMINDER ABOUT THE PANGLONG AGREEMENT

The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST), a coalition of 10 ceasefire groups, issued a message on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee Union Day on 12 February to implement the essence of the Panglong Agreement for peace in the Union.

The PPST's message stated that it would not be possible without implementation of the collective responsibility Articles 1-4, Article 7 for self-governing in its respective states and Article 8-9 for independent financial management in their respective states.

Successive governments since Burma's independence have not implemented the Panglong Agreement and for the last 70 years there has been civil war, political instability and economic difficulties, according to the PPST’s message.