An interview with Ko Zaw, editor at FE5 Thanintharyi, on the situation of IDPs and fighting between the junta and resistance groups in Tanintharyi Region
In Tanintharyi Region, fierce clashes between the military junta troops and local resistance groups, coupled with airstrikes and naval attacks by the junta, have forced over 80,800 people to flee their homes in May alone, according to a report from FE5 Thanintharyi.
The group reported at least 39 clashes during the month, with artillery fire and airstrikes driving widespread displacement. In addition, the junta’s restrictions on the import of rice, medicine, and fuel have created severe hardships for locals.
Than Lwin Times spoke with Ko Zaw, editor at FE5 Thanintharyi, an organization that documents and monitors the conflict situations in Tanintharyi Region, on the current conflict situation between the junta and resistance groups in the region, the situation of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and severity of the human rights violations and killings in the region.
Q: First, could you describe the current situation in Tanintharyi Region?
A: Right now, the situation in Tanintharyi is quite intense. In some townships, fighting is extremely fierce. In others, clashes take place regularly. Overall, most areas are seeing active conflict. The only areas with relatively little fighting are Myeik town and Kawthaung Township. Even in Dawei, where the junta’s regional office is located, there’s a sense of military tension creeping in.
Q: With the rainy season here, what’s the situation with the junta airstrikes and bombing raids in Tanintharyi’s conflicts?
A: During the rainy season, the junta airstrikes and bombings in Tanintharyi continue at a steady pace. Compared to the dry season, the frequency has slightly decreased, but they’re still happening quite regularly. Especially when resistance groups attack junta outposts or during active combat, and even in times without direct clashes, the junta targets villages they suspect are harboring resistance fighters with frequent airstrikes.
Q: What’s the current military situation between the junta and armed resistance groups in Tanintharyi’s townships?
A: The military situation in Tanintharyi’s townships is as I mentioned earlier—it varies by area. For example, out of the region’s 10 townships, even Dawei, where the junta’s regional office is located, is seeing rising military tension. Clashes are happening around the town, and the junta is using artillery and long-range weapons to shell areas.
In Dawei District, which has four townships, fighting is ongoing not just in Dawei itself, the capital, but also in Yebyu, Launglon, and Tha Yet Chaung Townships. In Myeik District, which also has four townships, the junta maintains a Coastal Region Command in Myeik town, but outside of that area, fighting is widespread across the district.
Then there’s Kawthaung District—Kawthaung Township itself sees less fighting compared to others, but in Bokpyin township, for instance, clashes are happening even in the town itself, with resistance groups moving in and out regularly.
Q: As fighting in Tanintharyi intensifies and the number of displaced people grows, what challenges are children facing in accessing education?
A: The number of displaced people is increasing. As for children’s education, the situation is tough, with schools remaining closed in most townships. On the other hand, the NUG runs some on-the-ground and online schools. However, with the junta’s frequent airstrikes targeting various areas, many ground-based schools in Tanintharyi’s townships have had to suspend operations.
Another challenge is the difficulty in obtaining teaching materials. Even when we manage to buy them, transportation is a major issue. Junta checkpoints along the roads conduct inspections, impose restrictions, and make arrests, so getting supplies like textbooks and stationery is heavily restricted. This creates significant hardships for education.
Q: As fighting in Tanintharyi escalates, alongside the junta’s arbitrary arrests and killings, how are human rights violations affecting locals because of the resistance groups’ so-called informant crackdowns?
A: Let’s break it down. On the junta’s side, arbitrary arrests and killings are ongoing as usual. In Tanintharyi, on average, around 10 civilians are arrested and killed each month. Most of these deaths come from artillery shelling or artillery explosions, or airstrikes.
There are also cases where people are arrested and killed during junta military operations. That’s the situation with the junta’s actions. On the other hand, regarding the resistance groups’ informant crackdowns, public executions or killings of suspected informants have significantly decreased. Compared to before, when there might have been 8 to 10 such cases a month, now it’s down to about one or two per month. So, when you compare the two, the number of incidents tied to the resistance groups has dropped considerably.
Q: With over 80,000 displaced people across Tanintharyi, what are the primary needs for these people?
A: Speaking of the main needs of the displaced people, in areas with large numbers of IDPs, the junta has imposed restrictions on rice and food supplies, medicine, and fuel, blocking their transport. The biggest needs are food and medicine—medicine shortages are especially severe. When aid groups and data collectors try to deliver medicine, they can’t use main routes due to junta restrictions and have to rely on alternative routes.
So, they have to stockpile medicine in advance for the rainy season but the demand is overwhelming. On top of that, heavy rainfall means displaced people also urgently need rainproof shelters. Overall, rice, food supplies, medicine, and rain protection are the most pressing needs right now.
Q: As the revolution drags on, what challenges are the local people in Tanintharyi facing?
A: Fighting is happening everywhere, and the junta’s checkpoints restrict rice, food supplies, medicine, and fuel. This forces people to buy these essentials at high prices just to eat or get treatment. On top of that, local businesses like fishing, livestock farming, and agriculture are struggling. Many locals can’t work these jobs because they’re displaced by the conflict or fleeing from artillery attacks. The challenges are immense.
Tanintharyi gets heavy rainfall compared to other regions, so even before the coup, people had to stockpile rice, food, and money for the rainy season when work was scarce. Now, daily wage workers like masons or laborers can’t find jobs at all. With the rainy season, junta blockades, and ongoing fighting, locals are facing even greater hardships. Thank you.
Sent by Than Lwin Times.