The report is originally documented and published by FE5 research group. The group can be reached through tanintharyi.fe5@protonmail.com.
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Download PDF Version – FE5 Tanintharyi Report Series (July 2023)
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What is FE5?
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FE5 Tanintharyi Report Series was initiated in April 2022 to document the socio-economic issues and human rights violations resulting from armed conflicts in the Tanintharyi region. It has provided insight and analytical information on regional issues to over a hundred individuals, humanitarian, civil society, and political organizations. This English report is a brief version of the original report written in Burmese. For more detailed information, a full report is available in Burmese.
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Contents
- Highlights
- Major Events
- Socio-Economic Impact
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1. Highlights
More than 900 days into the military coup, the people are facing increased challenges, and the number of regional conflicts and fights continues to rise. The armed clashes continued to be intensified in July. Moreover, the fighting has spread to the area within the proximity of about 3 miles from Dawei, the city of Tanintharyi region.
In one incident, some schools in Dawei released students for half day as multiple heavy gunfire and explosions were heard from the city and nearby places. People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) established their position around the city, resulting in frequent clashes with the State Administration Council (SAC) army.
There was a change in the SAC army’s tactics to counter the PDFs’ attacks, which was assisted by the PDF forces’ widespread control over many areas in the Tanintharyi region. The SAC started to use excessive force and heavy weaponry in its advancing troops. It was observed that whenever the PDFs attacked the troops, residents from nearby villages were taken during the search and arrest raids and used as human shields.
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In one instance, 151 residents from Dawei, Thayetchaung, Launglon, and Yebyu townships in the Dawei district, where the majority of the clashes occur, were abducted by the SAC column throughout its march to reduce the chances of being attacked at its temporary camps. Out of the abducted, only 134 residents could return home.
In July, there were battles in 9 out of 10 townships in the Tanintharyi region, excluding Kawthaung township.
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The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) also increased due to the intensified fights. As a result, more than 36,000 people were forced to flee their homes during the month.
In Dawei, Thayetchaung, Launglon, and Yebyu townships, more than 15,000 residents were displaced due to the SAC column’s raids and torching houses.
The displaced were scattered in different locations inaccessible by the support groups, resulting in a shortage of food, shelter, and healthcare aid.
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The IDP support groups offered limited help due to decreasing donations and support, while the needs of the growing number of displaced persons continued to increase.
The number of civilians killed was reduced in July compared to the previous months.
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2. Major Events
Some significant incidents were highlighted among the conflicts that erupted in July. There were 9 casualties this month, with 2 inidividual killed by the SAC troops and 2 individuals killed by PDFs as part of their informant clearance operations.
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Reshuffles inside the SAC regional military
The SAC arrested its three high-ranking military officials from Tanintharyi in July.
Brigadier General Thit Lwin Htoo, deputy commander of Coastal Region Military Command, Brigadier General Win Kyaw Thu from No. 20 Military Operations Command (MOC-20), and Colonel Thein Lin, Taninthryi Region Minister for Security and Border Affairs, were reportedly detained. Mizzima News reported that they were apprehended on July 26 by a special task force from Nay Pyi Taw, according to a military source. The charges were fraud and failure to maintain control of the region, including the incident of an attack on the ministerial housing in Dawei, as per the unverified sources.
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Cronies from Myeik investigated
The SAC has also investigated six businessmen from Myeik since the arrest of the military officials. DVB News reported that the cronies were U Hlan Than from Myeik Public Corporation, U Maung Htway from OK Rice Trading, U Min Thura, U Thet Soe from Myeik Fisheries Federation, U Win Htain and U Phoe Sein from Phoe Lamin Company. The investigation was related to the bribery charges to the arrested Minister for Security and Border Affairs. However, a source close to the businessmen said they were not arrested but have been questioned multiple times in Dawei.
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Security tightened in Dawei Prison
On July 11, Colonel Thein Lin, the Minister for Security and Border Affairs, and the SAC members conducted a search of Dawei prison using excessive force.
The search uncovered illegal drugs from some prison staff and drug offenders. Following the discovery, the military took over control of the prison and tightened up security on delivering supplies to the inmates. On July 30, another investigation was conducted at the prison, which revealed further drugs and mobile phones. Five prisoners, including one political prisoner, were accused of using mobile phones in the facility. They were reportedly placed in solitary confinement and barred from receiving inmate supplies.
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Conflict between KNU and KTLA
In the eastern Dawei area, Lieutenant Commander Phoe Se (aka Bo Phoe Chit) and a member of Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Battalion 10 under the command of Karen Nation Union (KNU) Brigade 4, were reportedly killed in an ambush. On the morning of July 20, a battalion from Kaw Thoo Lei Army (KTLA) attacked his car while traveling from Phaungtaw village. Another clash on February 1 further amplified the tension between KNLA and KTLA. Since then, there have been 7 clashes between the two Karen armed forces. Prior to the incidents, KNLA also fired at a KTLA troop near Pyar Say Chaung, resulting in injury to two KTLA soldiers and two locals. The local people and 46 Karen Organizations urged the two forces to resolve the increased conflict through peace talks.
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The arrest in Dawei Agriculture Institute
On July 20, a PDF force arrested Daw Myint Myint Khin, the Head of the Agriculture Institute in Dawei, her son Mg Aung Hein Khant (student), the Deputy Head U Khin Maung Htwe, Assistant lecturer Daw Thandar Aye, Assistant lecturer U Naing Win, Field officer U Nay San and Naw Phyu Phyu Thant at the institute.
According to the statement of Launglon PDF issued on July 27, the education staff were not detained but were willing to cooperate with the force to join CDM. The statement also said the release delay was due to increased conflict and offensive attacks by the SAC forces. After one week of detention, the PDF claimed that the education personnel were sent to the liberated area as requested. However, their colleagues have reported the loss of contact with them till present (August 6).
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Funeral services warned
Myeik People Defense Force (Pa Ka Pha) issued a statement to warn Myeik-based ambulance and free funeral services such as Chan Myae, Karuna, Chit Kyi Yay, Golden New Day, and Pete Kutho not to cooperate with the SAC. The statement explicitly prohibits these services from assisting the SAC forces in any way, as doing so will result in severe punishment according to the rules. Funeral services have expressed surprise at the suggestion that the PDFs should be sympathetic to the difficulties they are currently facing (like the bacon in the sandwich, they are in a difficult position at the moment).
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Properties seized by Revolution Forces
Since the coup, the SAC has been the only organization to seize the properties of anti-junta supporters. In July, a reversal of roles occurred, as KNDO and the allied Puri Yakha Brother force seized a garden land and four houses belonging to pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members in Nat Eain Taung village, Palaw township.
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3. Socio-economic impact
Tourism is a vital industry in the Tanintharyi region; however, it has been put on hold since the coup, spanning over 900 days. The rising commodity prices have added to the challenges faced by fisheries, gardening, and farming businesses. Unfortunately, a substantial number of farmlands have been unable to cultivate paddy this rainy season, and many garden lands have been abandoned due to the ongoing armed conflict, creating a possible food shortage in the upcoming months.
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In July, the fishing industry was heavily impacted. The fish stock depleted due to adverse weather conditions. Moreover, the increased petrol prices and decreased export prices of fish and fishery products to Thailand further compounded the issue. The Tanintharyi fisheries sector is heavily reliant on the Thailand market which has experienced a decline in demand due to the ongoing political instability in the country. Consequently, the market opened with half prices in July, resulting in local businesses facing substantial financial deficits. The fisheries intended to export to the Yangon market but encountered difficulties because of the extended duration and high transport expenses.
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