2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes
Part of the internal conflict in Myanmar and the Karen conflict
Date7 November 2010 – 12 January 2012[1]
(1 year, 2 months and 5 days)
Location
Myanmar-Thailand border, Kayin State, Myanmar
Result Ceasefire
Belligerents
 Myanmar DKBA-5[2]
Karen National Union
Commanders and leaders
Than Shwe
Min Aung Hlaing		 Saw Lah Pwe[3]
Saw Kyaw Thet[4]
Units involved

Tatmadaw

  • Military Operations Command 19[5]
 Karen National Liberation Army
Strength
~250 ~300
Casualties and losses
43 killed, 63 wounded[6] Unknown
Civilians: 3 killed, 24 wounded[7]
At least 20,000 refugees fled to neighbouring Thailand[8]

The 2010–2012 Myanmar border clashes were a series of skirmishes between the Tatmadaw (Myanmar Armed Forces) on one side, and the DKBA-5 and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) on the other. The clashes erupted along the border with Thailand shortly after Myanmar's general election on 7 November 2010.[9] An estimated 10,000 refugees have fled into nearby neighbouring Thailand to escape the violent conflict.[10] There was concern that due to discontent with the elections, and speculations of electoral fraud, that the conflict could escalate into a civil war.[11]

Timeline

June 2010

  • 12 June. KNLA kill 12 troops.[12]

October 2010

  • 1 October. Fighting erupted yesterday between Burmese troops and a breakaway Shan force only hours after a Burmese soldier died following an ambush by a Karen army.[13]
  • 19 October. 4,000 troops of the KNLA are now on high alert.[14]

8–9 November 2010

The fighting started in the town of Myawaddy, in Karen State, on 8 November. The government deployed heavy artillery in the town in response to the presence of forces from the renegade DKBA brigade. The military had allegedly threatened to shoot people who refused to vote.[15] There were also clashes near Three Pagodas Pass.[16] It is believed at least three people were killed and twenty wounded when a Burmese Army artillery shell landed in a market in the centre of Myawaddy.[17] At least five Thai civilians were injured when a rocket propelled grenade exploded in the town of Mae Sot, on the border between Thailand and Burma.[18]

It is estimated that at least 10,000 refugees have fled into Thailand to escape the violence.[19] DKBA rebels took the town of Myawaddy on 9 November, and were holding it against government forces. The town was closed off, and information on further casualties remains unavailable.[20]

According to Thai sources, the Tatmadaw recaptured the majority of the town later in the evening, after an earlier battle between troops and DKBA forces. By the following morning only a few areas remained under rebel control. The Thai military, who are supervising the thousands of refugees, announced that it would send the refugees back over the border once the situation in the town had calmed down.[21][22]

By the middle of 9 November, reports emerged that government troops had fully retaken the town, and pushed rebel troops back into the forests.[23] Thai Officials were preparing to start moving the estimated 15,000 refugees back over the border.[24]

Late on Tuesday 9 November, refugees started moving back over the river from Thailand, with the government claiming that its forces had quelled the violence, and that DKBA fighters were no longer present in the town.[25] It is believed between five and ten civilians were killed during the fighting. However, neither the government nor DKBA fighters have released any information on the numbers of casualties from the fighting.[26]

10 November onwards

By November skirmishes between rebel forces and government troops were continuing around the Three Pagodas Pass area.[27] The next day, both sides continued small skirmishes with both sides exchanging rocket fire. DKBA forces allegedly briefly took control of the town of Payathonsu, however government forces drove the rebels out. According to a Thai official, at least 30 rockets were fired by both sides between 4 and 6 am. Both belligerents are believed to have reinforced their numbers over the last few days.[28] The DKBA rebel, Waw Lay base was also destroyed by Government forces after a heavy artillery bombardment.[29]

On 12 November, Al-Jazeera English reported that the DKBA had joined forces with the Karen National Liberation Army to counter an expected crackdown by the government.[30] Fighting then erupted again as both sides exchanged rocket fire. During the fighting a RPG exploded near Tinetayar Monastery, wounding 3 civilians who were taken to a nearby hospital.[31]

Fighting flared up once more on the evening of 14 November with DKBA forces once more exchanging Mortar and small arms fire with Government troops. The fresh outburst of violence sent at least 200 civilians fleeing across the border into Thailand[32][33] Thai officials were keen to start sending the refugees back over the border as soon as the violence died down.[34]

On the 27th DKBA forces ambushed government troops reportedly killed One soldier and wounding 8. Government forces used 81-millimetre shells against rebel forces during the attack, however no rebel casualties have been announced.[35] The fighting sent a reported 1,000 civilians over the border once more into Thailand.[36]

2011 clashes

January

Fighting spilled over into the new year when DKBA and Government forces exchanged yet another large burst of rocket and artillery fire on 1 January. Two Thai Army soldiers who were patrolling the Thai side of the border were wounded when misguided 120mm artillery fire landed near their patrol vehicle which was destroyed. Several Government troops were also reported wounded when their Army truck ran over an IED.[37]

Gun battles were exchanged between Junta troops and DKBA personal between 26 and 27 January. According to DKBA sources 26 Junta soldiers were killed and 35 wounded during the fighting. At least 200 more refugees have fled over the Thai border and have taken refuge in the Thai Phop Phra District. DKBA forces accused the Thai Army of allowing Burmese troops to cross into Thai territory to attack Brigade 5 from Thai soil. Thai military officials have made no comment on the matter.[38]

February

For the first time in over 10 years the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO) had an armed clash with Government Troops, reportedly wounding a battalion commander as well as several other soldiers. The KIO said that junta troops, led by battalion commander Lieutenant Colonel Yin Htwe, intruded into a KIO-controlled area, which started the fighting. Yin Htwe's condition was unknown. The fighting lasted for approximately 20 minutes before government troops withdrew. According to the KIO, the two sides last fought in April 1997 near Nammatee in Kachin State.[39]

March

The KNLA ambushed a convoy of 27 trucks carrying more than 300 troops between Kanelay and Bayintnaung in the Waw Lay area killing 16 and wounding 17.[40]

From the period 1 January to 31 March 2011, the KNLA was involved in 526 clashes with the Myanmar Army.[41]

April

15 April: The conflict escalates from Three Pagodas Pass to Shan State.[42]

May

2 May: Clash between the Burmese military troops and the Karenni soldiers near Daw Ta Naw village.[43]

3 May: Clashes between the Burmese military troops and an alliance of the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Kyarinnseikgyi township.[44]

June

12 June: Clashes between the Burmese military troops and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) at Sang Gang, Kachin State, Northern Burma.[45]

13 June: The KIA declared a state of war.[46]

July

2 July: Kler Day road, Karen State. A Myanmar army battalion commander killed and another company commander and a sergeant wounded.[47]

7 July: After a break starts KIA fighting again.[48]

8 July: Infantry Battalion (IB) No. 62 based in Thanphyuzayart, between Three Pagodas Pass and Moulmein expect an attack from KNLA.[49]

September

Myanmar border clashes intensify.

24–26 September: Four days as heavy fighting by KIA[50]

November

The government and the Karen National Union agreed to talks aimed at negotiating a ceasefire and eventual lasting peace.[51]

Economic impact

The recent clashes which have occurred on the Thai-Myanmar border are nothing new to the Thai border village of Mae Sot. However the fighting which has erupted near the town since the 2010 Myanmar elections has been causing a significant impact in the trade between Thailand and Myanmar due to the border being closed. Trade between the two countries brings in approximately 30 to 36 billion baht annually.[52]

International reactions

  •  United Nations – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed concern about reported clashes between government troops and ethnic rebels "and urged all sides to refrain from any action that could raise tensions further or create instability at this sensitive time."[53]
  •  Australia – The Australian Greens party has called for a full trade embargo against Myanmar in the wake of the election and resulting violence.[54]
  •  Canada – The Department of Foreign affairs announced that they would work with Canadian Friends of Burma to help send aid to refugees affected and displaced by the fighting.[55]
  •  Thailand – The Thai government called for both sides to show restraint and be careful when firing weapons, as it was revealed several M79 Grenades landed on the Thai side of the border.[56]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Burma government signs ceasefire with Karen rebels". BBC News. 12 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Clashes continue between DKBA faction, junta troops". Mizzima.com. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  3. ↑ "Junta bombards DKBA splinter group at Three Pagodas Pass". Mizzima.com. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Tribal guerrillas attack Burmese troops". Washington Times. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  5. ↑ "KNU promises to support DKBA". Mizzima.com. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  6. ↑ "Karen, Mon fleeing to Thailand again". Bangkok Post. 10 November 2010. Retrieved 11 November 2010.
  7. ↑ "Thousands flee deadly fighting in Myanmar". The Times of India. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "20,000 flee Myanmar fighting: Thai officials". Channel News Asia. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  9. ↑ MacKinnon, Ian (8 November 2010). "Burma election marred by violence". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  10. ↑ "Thousands flee Myanmar clashes". Al Jazeera. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  11. ↑ "Civil war threatens following Burma's election". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  12. ↑ "KNLA Ambushes Kill 12 Junta Troops". Irrawaddy.org. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  13. ↑ "Burmese troops clash with Karen, Shan armies". Dvb.no. 1 October 2010. Archived from the original on 6 January 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  14. ↑ "'Special Force' Joins KNLA on High Alert". Irrawaddy.org. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  15. ↑ Mackinnon, Ian (9 November 2010). "Burma election marred by violence". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  16. ↑ "Violence breaks out in Myanmar after election". AFP. 8 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  17. ↑ "Burma refugees pour over Thai border as fighting breaks out". The Australian. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  18. ↑ "Myanmar parties concede poll defeat". Al Jazeera. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  19. ↑ "Thousands flee Burma border clash, as votes are counted". BBC. 8 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  20. ↑ "KNU terrorists shell Myawady". Reliefweb.int. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  21. ↑ "Sporadic fighting continues at Myanmar border". mycentraloregon. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  22. ↑ "Fighting continues at Myanmar border after elections; 15,000 refugees flee to Thailand". Associated Press. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  23. ↑ "Army official: Border battle ended". Bangkok Post. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  24. ↑ Suwannakij, Supunnabul (9 November 2010). "Thailand Seeks to Return 15,000 Myanmar Minorities Who Fled After Election". Bloomberg. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  25. ↑ "Troops Regaining Control in Eastern Burma". VOA News. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  26. ↑ "After the exodus, Myanmar's displaced trickle home". Vancouver Sun. 9 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  27. ↑ "2,500 Karen, Mon refugees cross Three Pagodas Pass". Mizzima.com. 10 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  28. ↑ "Artillery Fire Continues at Three Pagodas Pass". The Irrawaddy. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 20 January 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  29. ↑ "Burmese army takes DKBA stronghold". Democratic Voice of Burma. 11 November 2010. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  30. ↑ "Myanmar rebel armies join forces". Al-Jazeera English. 12 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 12 November 2010.
  31. ↑ "Clashes carry on between DKBA and junta troops". Mizzima. 12 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  32. ↑ "200 Ethnic Group Flee To Thailand After Fresh Fighting Erupts in Myanmar". BERNAMA.COM. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  33. ↑ "200 Karen flee to Thailand after fresh fighting erupts in Myanmar". mcot.net. 15 November 2010. Archived from the original on 19 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  34. ↑ "Sunday's refugees returning home". Bangkok Post. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  35. ↑ "Karen villagers escape fresh clashes". Mizzima. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 29 November 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  36. ↑ "More than 1,000 Burmese villagers escape into Thailand". ABC Radio Australia. 29 November 2010. Archived from the original on 9 December 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2010.
  37. ↑ "DKBA Attacks Junta's Strategic 'Three Mountain' Outpost". IRRAWADDY. 1 January 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  38. ↑ "Clashes Continue in Karen State". IRRAWADDY. 27 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  39. ↑ "KIO, junta fighting breaks out; first since 1997". MIZZIMA. 7 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
  40. ↑ "Sixteen Junta troops die in guerilla ambush". Bnionline.net. 11 March 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  41. ↑ "Summary Report on Military Engagements in KNLA Areas (January 1, 2011 to March 31, 2011)" (PDF). Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  42. ↑ "Burmese Army Changes Focus to the North, Three Pagodas Pass Calms Down". Bnionline.net. 3 May 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  43. ↑ "WAR: clash between the Burmese military troops and the Karenni soldiers near Daw Ta Naw village". Democracyforburma.wordpress.com. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  44. ↑ "Karen fighting forces 700 to flee | Democratic Voice of Burma". Dvb.no. 5 May 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  45. ↑ "Non-stop fighting at Sang Gang". Kachinnews.com. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  46. ↑ "KIA destroys two bridges in Northern Shan State". Bnionline.net. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  47. ↑ "Deadly ambush kills Burma army officers". Bnionline.net. 9 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  48. ↑ "Kachin army ambush leaves 30 dead". Dvb.no. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  49. ↑ "Army families moving away from battalion". Bnionline.net. 8 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  50. ↑ Four Days of Heavy Fighting in Northern Burma Archived 28 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  51. ↑ "Burma Ethnic Rebels Cautious About Government Peace Offer". Voanews.com. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  52. ↑ "Border clashes deal new blow to trade". Bangkok Post. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
  53. ↑ "UN chief chides Burma election as border clashes intensify". France 24. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 20 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  54. ↑ "Greens demand Burma trade embargo". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 13 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  55. ↑ "Thousands flee Myanmar after historic election turns violent". Times Colonist. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 November 2010. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
  56. ↑ M79 rounds land on border village 8 November 2010 Retrieved 14 November 2010
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