What's happened
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has reportedly seized control of Kanpaiti, a strategic town in Myanmar, further diminishing the military's hold in the region. This loss impacts the military's access to rare earth mineral profits and highlights ongoing conflicts with ethnic militias amid a civil war that escalated after the 2021 coup.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to AP News, the KIA's capture of Kanpaiti is a significant blow to the military, which now controls only one border town. The report highlights the strategic importance of the town for accessing rare earth minerals critical for technology. The Independent echoes this sentiment, noting that the military's revenue streams are threatened by the KIA's advances. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post emphasizes the junta's increasing reliance on air strikes against civilians as it loses ground to ethnic militias, indicating a shift in tactics amid territorial losses. Thomas Andrews, a former US congressman, describes the situation as an 'invisible crisis,' calling for international attention to the escalating violence against civilians.
How we got here
Since the military coup in February 2021, Myanmar has been embroiled in a civil war, with various ethnic militias, including the KIA, intensifying their resistance against the junta. The KIA's recent offensive has led to significant territorial gains, including the capture of Kanpaiti.
Common question
-
What is Happening with Political Repression in Hong Kong?
Recent events in Hong Kong have raised significant concerns about political repression and the future of democracy in the region. With the sentencing of pro-democracy activists and the arrest of media figures, many are left wondering about the implications for civil liberties and international responses. Below, we explore key questions surrounding these developments.
More on these topics
-
Aung San Suu Kyi is a Burmese politician, diplomat, author, and a 1991 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The first and incumbent State Counsellor of Myanmar, she is also the leader of the National League for Democracy and played a vital role in the state's tran
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
The Kachin Independence Army is a non-state armed group and the military wing of the Kachin Independence Organisation, a political group of ethnic Kachins in Northern Myanmar.
-
The Tatmadaw is the official name of the armed forces of Myanmar. It is administered by the Ministry of Defence and composed of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force.