Fifteen civilians killed and 35,000 displaced in Chin State; Five new vessels ‘strengthen’ Myanmar Navy

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.