Myanmar army battalion base in southern Chin State falls to Chin Brothers alliance

The Chin Brothers alliance and other groups seized a base manned by the Myanmar army’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 304 in Matupi Township, Chin State, spokespersons for the alliance announced on Monday. The Chin Brothers said they were able to seize howitzers and ammunition in the assault on the base camp, one of two battalion bases in the township along with the Infantry Battalion (IB) 140 base overseen by Regional Operations Command headquarters in Kalay, Sagaing Region. The Chin Brothers said they will continue their efforts to capture the other IB 140 base after their success in seizing the other junta outpost. The LIB 304 base command centre in Matupi Township(Photo: Chin Brotherhood) The Chin Brothers have fought alongside their allies, the Arakan Army (AA)—based in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township, Chin State—and the Yaw Army, which is active in both Chin State and Magway Region. “The fighting remains intense. Airstrikes are occurring frequently,” a member of the Chin Brothers said. “We have taken control over government offices in the town,” he added, referring to Matupi. The Chin Brothers said they had also initiated clashes with the Myanmar military in northern Chin State’s Tedim Township, the most populous township in the state, late last month. On May 27, the Chin Brothers and allied groups succeeded in capturing the office of the electricity authority and two tower outposts manned by junta forces. Seven junta soldiers were killed and nine were captured alive in these clashes, according to the Chin Brothers’ statement, and the anti-junta forces seized 17 heavy and small weapons from the junta troops. Myanmar Now was unable to verify the casualty figures from the battle independently. The Chin Brothers say they launched this ongoing offensive operation against junta forces with the intention of driving the Myanmar army out of Chin State completely by the end of this year. Weapons and ammunition seized by the Chin Brothers and allied groups from the junta’s LIB 304 base in Matupi Township (Photo: Chin Brotherhood) A military analyst who spoke with Myanmar Now noted that Matupi, located northeast of Paletwa Township, is under the control of the AA—a powerful ally of the Chin Brothers—and that the Chin Brothers’ complete capture of Matupi Township would likely enable the AA to control all territory between the towns. “If we follow the northern course of the Kaladan River along the Indian border, we will reach Shinletwa. From there, we can continue further north to Lailenpi, linking that area to Matupi. This connection between Paletwa and Matupi could facilitate regional development and other initiatives,” he explained. The Chin Brothers alliance is a coalition of Chin armed factions that emerged following the military coup in Myanmar. This grouping includes the Chin National Council (Mindat), Chin National Organisation (CNO), Zomi Federal Union (ZFU), Chinland Defence Force (Kanpetlet),Chinland Defense Force (Matupi) Brigade 1 and Maraland Territorial Council (MTC). The Chin National Army (CNA)—the armed wing of the Chin National Front—and its allies are also among the armed groups fighting against the junta in Chin State, and have also successfully captured towns and military bases in the state. However, despite fighting a common enemy, the forces allied with the CNA and those allied with the Chin Brothers have not coordinated their campaigns against the military due to disputes over matters of territory and jurisdiction, instead pursuing separate campaigns.

Myanmar army battalion base in southern Chin State falls to Chin Brothers alliance

The capture of a junta outpost by the alliance, which has fought alongside the Arakan Army (AA) in the state, may help its more powerful ally gain control over a contiguous swathe of territory between the towns of Paletwa and Matupi

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