Myanmar Spring Chronicle – August 6 Perspective
(MoeMaKa) August 7, 2024
Who is responsible for solving the people’s current difficulties?
In the regions of Myanmar where intense fighting is occurring, civilians are facing dangers not only from the battles but also from natural disasters, shortages of food, travel restrictions, and the prohibition of transporting essential goods like fuel and medicines. These restrictions have led to severe price hikes, causing the public to suffer immensely.
While the threat to life is at the top of the list of dangers, the harsh living conditions have led some to view death as an escape from their hardships. For example, in northern Shan State, civilians left in Lashio town are being killed by weapons and bombs from above. Many suffer severe injuries but cannot reach hospitals for treatment. Similarly, the Rohingya in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, face life-threatening conditions comparable to those in northern Shan.
Recent reports indicate that over 200 Rohingya fleeing to Bangladesh have been killed by shellfire while trying to escape the fighting in Maungdaw. The Arakan Army (AA) is reported to be behind these attacks. The AA has been accused of targeting Rohingya civilians, burning homes, and committing acts of violence against them. This situation worsened after the military council announced in February that all able-bodied men must serve in the army, leading to forced conscription of Rohingya youth, and subsequent conflicts between the AA and the Rohingya community.
In addition to forced conscription and violence, the military council has also imposed restrictions on the transport of goods and civilian movement, essentially isolating Rakhine State. This has been deemed a crime against humanity. Relief supplies, including food and fuel, are now being smuggled through Indian border routes into Paletwa Township. However, conflicts in the AA-controlled Paletwa area and restrictions from Indian civil groups have created further obstacles.
In areas like Thandwe, where floods and armed conflicts coexist, the public faces compounded difficulties. With the town flooded and heavy fighting occurring, many residents have fled. Thandwe, Kyauk Taw, and other towns along the Kaladan River are also experiencing severe flooding, with limited rescue and aid operations.
Tanintharyi Township in Tanintharyi Division is another region facing simultaneous flooding and armed conflict. Under these dire conditions, the lack of organized rescue operations or systems to assist the people has made survival incredibly challenging.
To sum up, living under these combined threats in many parts of Myanmar, where rescue organizations or systems are absent, has become more arduous than death for many civilians.