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Dry Zone theater

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  Townships within the Dry Zone
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  Townships and regions located wholly outside the Dry Zone

The Dry Zone theater,[1] also known as the Anyar theater, is one of the theaters of the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), taking place in Myanmar's Dry Zone (or Anyar) region which encompasses the Bamar-majority Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions.[2][3] It has been described as the "prime center" of resistance against the junta.[2]

Background

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The Dry Zone has been the historic heartland of Myanmar and rarely saw armed violence in the modern conflict in Myanmar since 1948 as a predominantly Buddhist and Bamar farming region. This led to the Tatmadaw (the military of Myanmar) to not maintain a heavy presence there.

The fighting in the Dry Zone theater starting in 2021 changed this trajectory. Without the presence of EAOs, the Bamar PDF groups are characterized as local cells acting autonomously towards simple and directed action against the military towards the 2021 coup. In the 2021-2022 dry season, the PDFs began to work more closely together and coordinate towards larger goals.[4]

Timeline

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2021

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After the coup, the Dry Zone saw a "precipitous uptick in violence".[4]

Small river boats on the Chindwin River near Monywa, 2006

In late November 2021, junta forces ambushed and destroyed a base belonging to Monywa PDF's Squadron 205 near Palin village, Sagaing Region, forcing resistance fighters to flee. The base was the site of a workshop where the PDF had made explosive devices, which were destroyed during the raid.[5] On 9 December 2021, the Myaing PDF in Magway Region ambushed two military vehicles with 3 handmade explosives, claiming to have injured at least 3 soldiers.[6] Salingyi G-Z PDF fighters detonated explosives in another attack on a convoy in Salingyi, triggering an assault on the town by about 100 junta soldiers. The soldiers captured and burnt 10 fighters and one civilian.[7]

In December 2021, the military sent around 150 Airborne Division soldiers in helicopters to the west of Depayin to carry out air assault missions. They surrounded Depayin Township where PDF fighters were positioned.[8] On 13 December, Tatmadaw troops launched an offensive to retake Ke Bar, Ayadaw Township with the assistance of artillery and forced resistance fighters to retreat.[9] On 17 December, the Tatmadaw and a military-backed Pyusawhti militia launched a surprise air assault on Hnan Khar, Gangaw Township in Magway Region killing 20 resistance fighters from the Yaw Defence Force.[10] In late 2021, Myaung PDF resistance forces "seized two boats, an oil vessel and a cargo ship" on the Chindwin River on the grounds that "those on board were unable to demonstrate that the vessels did not belong to the junta".[11]

2022

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As targeted personnel attacks increased, around 50 Myanmar junta personnel and Pyusawhti militia members were reportedly killed during raids and ambushes by PDF across three townships in Sagaing Region on 9 February 2022.[12] The PDF ambushed flotillas transporting supplies and soldiers, setting at least one flotilla on fire.[13] On 7 February, junta soldiers were killed by local PDF surprise attacks using drones in the Sagaing Region.[14] The PDF also suffered losses, with 12 fighters killed in a battle in Khin-U Township.[15]

Many cities saw violent clashes during Union Day. PDF forces launched an attack in Naypyitaw, the capital city, during the military's celebrations, killing at least 4 junta soldiers.[16] Mandalay also saw civilian guerrilla groups and PDFs in Maha Aung Myay and Pyigyidagun Townships shooting at junta forces and throwing homemade bombs. Tatmadaw troops killed eight guerrilla fighters while raiding two resistance hideouts in retaliation.[17]

2023

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In October 2023, anti-junta forces launched Operation Taungthaman in the Mandalay Region.[18]

On 6 November 2023, Kawlin, Sagaing Region fell to the coalition during Operation 1027, marking the first district-level capital seized during the operation.[19]

2024

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The Local PDFs in the Dry Zone are now more interconnected with the NUG. However, they still predominately use hit-and-run tactics.[20]

Tatmadaw forces recaptured the district capital of Kawlin on 10 February after almost 10 days of fighting.[21] After this, junta forces razed the settlement, destroying the majority of homes in Kawlin and surrounding villages.[22] On 22 February, junta forces launched an offensive to recapture the town of Maw Luu from the KIA and ABSDF.[23] The joint rebel forces had taken the key town in December 2023, blocking the Shwebo-Myitkyina road, during Operation 1027.[24] On 14 March, junta forces took the village of Kampani, Kalay Township in an campaign to resist anti-junta attacks on Kalay.[25] Despite the campaign, on 16 March resistance forces captured the Pyusawhti-controlled village of Kyaung Taik north of Kalay.[26]

While the junta launched its counteroffensives, allied resistance launched an offensive to capture Kani, capturing around 80% of the town by 7 March.[27] After almost 10 days of fighting, by 15 March, rebels were forced to give up their efforts to capture the town after overwhelming junta resistance.[28]

On 4 April 2024 the People's Defense Force launched an unprecedented drone attack against Aye Lar airbase, the main Tatmadaw headquarters, and Min Aung Hlaing's residence in the capital, Naypyidaw. Almost 30 drones were deployed; junta forces claimed 7 were shot down.[29][30] Myawaddy TV said 13 fixed-wing drones were shot down and there were no casualties or damage to property. NUG claimed the attack was "a success".[31] On 12 April, local People's Defense Forces claimed that they killed over a dozen junta soldiers in another attack on Aye Lar Airbase.[32]

On 19 April junta forces launched a counteroffensive to retake Shwe Pyi Aye, Homalin Township, after it was captured in November 2023.[33]

On 11 June the Union Liberation Front and Sagaing Region People's Defence Organisation captured a junta base near the Sagaing capital Monywa.[34] On 27 June, a coalition of several PDFs launched an offensive on Budalin.[35]

On 17 July, People's Defense Forces launched 2 rockets at Nay Pyi Taw International Airport, causing no casualties.[36]

On 10 August, Myingyan District PDF launched an offensive against Taungtha and Natogyi.[37] Natogyi was briefly captured before being recaptured by the junta soon after. On 15 August, PDF launched an offensive on Tabayin, capturing the town by 18 August. Shortly after, due to a junta counteroffensive, PDF withdrew from the town.[38] In mid-August, the KIA and PDF launched joint offensives on Indaw, Pinlebu, and Htigyaing.[39] Resistance entirely capturing Pinlebu on 8 October, defeating almost 800 junta soldiers.[40]

On 27 October, the anniversary of Operation 1027, Maung Saungkha announced that the Bamar People's Liberation Army would begin operations in the Anyar region of Myanmar.[41]

On 11 November, the Burma National Revolution Army and several other PDF's launched attacks on Pale. After capturing several areas of the town, they were forced to retreat due to a junta counteroffensive.[42]

Humanitarian impact

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According to the research group Data for Myanmar, more than 57,183 civilian homes in Anyar have been burned down by junta forces, making up 94% of the total number of civilian homes burned down across the country.[43]

Since 2021, as a result of the state-sponsored violence following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, increasing temperatures, the COVID-19 pandemic, and increasingly-poor harvests, a widespread exodus of Dry Zone residents to other areas of Myanmar has occurred.[44]

Analysis

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Some analysts have "refer[red] to the Anyar theater as part of a broad corridor connecting major insurgents in the northern Kachin State and the western Rakhine State on the Bay of Bengal seaboard, even comparing it with the Ho Chi Minh trail."[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Conflict in Myanmar and the International Response (Report). Archived from the original on 31 March 2024.
  2. ^ a b Ye Myo Hein 2022, p. 7.
  3. ^ "Military is Weaker Since Coup and Momentum is With the Armed Resistance". The Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on 7 February 2024. Retrieved 7 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b Loong, Shona. "The Dry Zone: an existential struggle in central Myanmar". International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
  5. ^ "Military raid destroys resistance base in Monywa, PDF says". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 27 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Soldiers target villagers after ambush by Myaing PDF". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Junta soldiers massacre and burn 11, including teenagers, during raid on village in Sagaing". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Junta soldiers murder three more villagers in Depayin". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 10 February 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Myanmar military torches 100 homes in Sagaing Region village". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 15 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  10. ^ "At least 20 killed in air raid on Magway village". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  11. ^ Ye Myo Hein 2022, p. 37.
  12. ^ "Resistance Fighters Claim To Have Killed Around 50 Myanmar Junta Personnel". The Irrawaddy. 10 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Thirty Junta Soldiers reportedly killed in Upper Myanmar". The Irrawaddy. 1 February 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  14. ^ "38 Junta Soldiers Reported Killed in Upper Myanmar". The Irrawaddy. 7 February 2022. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2022.
  15. ^ "Resistance Fighters Suffer Heavy Losses During Sagaing Clash With Myanmar Junta". The Irrawaddy. 18 February 2022. Archived from the original on 22 February 2022. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  16. ^ "Junta Soldiers Killed; Social Media Users Boycott Myanmar Coup Leader's Parade". The Irrawaddy. 14 February 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Myanmar Junta Claims to Have Killed 8 Resistance Fighters in Mandalay Raids". Myanmar NOW. Archived from the original on 13 February 2022. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  18. ^ "Myanmar Junta Base Seized in Mandalay: PDF". The Irrawady. 28 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024.
  19. ^ "Myanmar Resistance Seizes First District Level Town in Sagaing as Offensive Expands". The Irrawaddy. 6 November 2023. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  20. ^ Anyar rising: Myanmar’s Dry Zone PDFs up the ante Frontier Myanmar. September 13, 2024.
  21. ^ Myanmar Junta Retakes Town From Civilian Government in Sagaing Region. The Irrawaddy. February 13, 2024 Archived February 13, 2024, at the Wayback Machine
  22. ^ "Town Almost Razed to Ground After Being Retaken by Myanmar Junta Troops". The Irrawaddy. 27 February 2024. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024.
  23. ^ "Myanmar army launches offensive to retake Maw Luu from resistance". Myanmar Now. 22 February 2024.
  24. ^ Hein Htoo Zan (13 December 2023). "Myanmar Resistance Forces Seize Fourth Sagaing Town". The Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023.
  25. ^ "Myanmar Resistance's 'Final Warning' to Junta Sparks Civilian Exodus in Kale Warzone". The Irrawaddy. 14 March 2024. Archived from the original on March 15, 2024.
  26. ^ "Fighting near Kalay leaves at least 10 civilians dead". Myanmar Now. 14 March 2024.
  27. ^ "Myanmar Resistance Fighters Poised to Capture Key Town in Sagaing Region". The Irrawaddy. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024.
  28. ^ "Battle for control of Kani ends with retreat by anti-regime forces". Myanmar Now. 15 March 2024.
  29. ^ "Myanmar's military-ruled capital attacked by drones". BBC. 4 April 2024. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024.
  30. ^ "Myanmar Resistance Drones Target Junta Chief's Residence, Military HQ and Airbase in Naypyitaw". The Irrawaddy. 4 April 2024. Archived from the original on April 4, 2024.
  31. ^ "Myanmar anti-coup forces claim 'success' in Naypyidaw drone attack". Al Jazeera. 2024-04-04. Archived from the original on April 6, 2024.
  32. ^ "Resistance carries out second attack on Naypyitaw airbase in one week". Myanmar Now. 12 April 2024.
  33. ^ "Myanmar Junta Battling to Retake Town near India Border From Civilian Govt". The Irrawaddy. 24 April 2024.
  34. ^ "Resistance forces capture outpost, prisoners near Myanmar army's northwestern regional headquarters". Myanmar Now. 14 June 2024.
  35. ^ "It is said that 20 members of the Military Council were killed in the Battle of Butlin". Mizzima (in Burmese). 29 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Myanmar junta opponents launch rocket attack on capital airport". Myanmar Now. 18 July 2024.
  37. ^ "PDF Groups Seize Guard Posts for Chinese Pipeline Facilities in Myanmar's Mandalay Region". The Irrawaddy. 12 August 2024.
  38. ^ "Why did the revolutionary forces withdraw after the capture of this city?". BBC (in Burmese). 19 August 2024.
  39. ^ "Myanmar Resistance Encircles Three Sagaing Towns Amid Junta Bombardment". The Irrawaddy. 29 August 2024.
  40. ^ "Resistance Hails Huge Blow for Myanmar Junta in Pinlebu". The Irrawaddy. 14 October 2024.
  41. ^ "BPLA expands operations to upper Myanmar, marks progress on anniversary of Operation 1027". Mizzima. 30 October 2024.
  42. ^ "Outnumbered and Outgunned Resistance Abandons Sagaing Town". The Irrawaddy. 18 November 2024.
  43. ^ "Traditional Rituals on Hold as Junta Troops Ravage Myanmar's Buddhist Heartland". 10 April 2023. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  44. ^ Duncan, Kiana (21 July 2022). "Coup, Covid, climate: the triple threat chasing citizens from Myanmar's rice bowl". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 23 August 2023. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  45. ^ Ye Myo Hein 2022, p. 35.

Bibliography

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