Conflict between ethnic rebel groups and the junta in Myanmar

A growing number of people are being forcibly displaced, with some even making their way into China, as hostilities between ethnic rebel groups and the Myanmar government escalate in areas close to the border.

The junta launched a second day of air strikes on Wednesday, bombing territory in the northernmost Kachin state controlled by ethnic armed group Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a rebel spokesperson told AFP.

Since Friday, the junta also has been battling an alliance of ethnic rebel groups across the neighboring north-eastern Shan state.

Shan is home to oil and gas pipelines that supply China and a planned billion-dollar rail link, part of Beijing’s Belt and Road global infrastructure project.

The offensive, called “Operation 1027”, was launched by the “Three Brotherhood Alliance”, made up of the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.

The three groups — which analysts say can call on at least 15,000 fighters between them — have fought regularly with the military since the 2021 coup.