Since Myanmar’s military takeover early this year, which saw the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi sent away, there are regular clashes between the army and rebel movements. Because there are virtually no foreign journalists in the country, it is difficult to determine the extent of those fights.
More and more soldiers have been stationed in the rebel region around Thantlang in recent weeks. The United Nations recently warned that the junta is preparing a major offensive in the area.
Previous Attack
Save the Children, which saw an office in the city go up in flames, speaks in a declaration of “totally senseless violence”. “This has not only destroyed our building, but it also destroys the living environment of vulnerable children,” the organization writes. “Many residents are now losing the only thing they had left.”
In Thantlang, numerous buildings were also reduced to ashes last month during fighting between insurgents and the government army. Thereafter, an estimated 10,000 residents fled to neighboring India.
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