ConflictBarometer_2016

ASIA AND OCEANIA
mine against the resumption of production that the Chinese
company Wanbao Mining and the semi-state owned Union
of Myanmar Economic Holdings Ltd. had announced in mid-
February. Farmers claimed that the company had not implemented
governmental recommendations. Police arrested
two of their leaders for unlawful assembly. On September 5,
protesters met with Sagaing officials to discuss the situation
and compensation issues.
On June 4, about 40 activists staged a protest in Myitkina
township, Kachin State, against renewed talks between
Kachin state officials, the Chinese ambassador, and arepresentative
of the China Power Investment Company, regarding
the resumption of the dam construction activities at the
Irrawaddy river. The demonstrators demanded the abandonment
of the project, which would require the resettlement
of approx. 18,000 persons. On August 12, President Htin
Kyaw formed a new commission to review these hydropower
projects. nro, kra
MYANMAR (TNLA / SHAN STATE)
Intensity: 4 | Change: | Start: 2013
Conflict parties:
TNLA vs. government
Conflict items: subnational predominance, resources
gaged in confrontations in various locations. For example, on
August 25, TNLA clashed with the military in Namkham township,
after Tatmadaw forces had allegedly attacked patrolling
TNLA members. One combatant and two civilians were injured
in the subsequent clash.
The number of clashes decreased in August before the 21st
Century Panglong Conference, a preliminary conference for
future peace negotiations between certain ethnic armed
groups and the government [→ Myanmar (UNFC)].
However, only two months later, the conflict reignited. Starting
on November 22, TNLA supported by the Kachin Independence
Army, Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance
Army, and the Arakan Army launched acoordinated attack
against at least ten police and military posts and infrastructure
in Muse and Kutkai townships. At least 14 people were
killed, 50 injured, 2,000 internally displaced, and 3,000 fled
to China [→ Myanmar (KIA, KIO), Myanmar (MNDAA / Shan
State)]. The allies, referring to themselves as Northern Alliance
(NA), demanded an end to Tatmadaw operations in
areas controlled by the NA. Despite considerations to classify
the NA a ''terrorist organization'', the National Reconciliation
and Peace Center mediated talks between the government
and NA representatives throughout December in order to explore
options to stop the fighting.
On March 14 and 21, Tatmadaw forces arrested over 120
civilians for allegedly supporting the TNLA in Kutkai township.
The detained, of whom eight were supposedly tortured,
were released a few days later.
Throughout the year, several allegations emerged, accusing
Tatmadaw forces of using civilians as human shields. On June
25, the Rangoon Division Government banned a report by the
Ta'ang Women's Organization regarding these allegations. nro
MYANMAR (TNLA, RCSS/SHAN STATE)
Intensity: 3 | Change: | Start: 2015
The violent conflict between the Ta'ang National Liberation
Army (TNLA) and the government over subnational predominance
and the production and trade of poppy in the Palaung
Self-Administered Zone escalated to alimited war.
The TNLA continued to fight the widespread cultivation of
poppy and the distribution ofits derivatives throughout the
Palaung Self-Administered Zone, Shan State, stating that it
was harming the ethnic group of the Palaung, also known as
Ta'ang. Furthermore, the TNLA demanded the end of military
operations in areas it controlled and an all inclusive political
dialog over peace negotiations.
However, clashes between the TNLA and government forces,
the Tatmadaw, intensified throughout the year, resulting in at
least 55 fatalities and 110 injured. At least 12,000 people
were internally displaced and further 3,000 fled to China.
On February 16, TNLA forces started clearing poppy fields in
Namhsan and Kutkai townships. Two days later, the Tatmadaw
launched several airstrikes against this operation in Namkhan
and Namhsan townships, using two helicopters and allegedly
one fighter jet. One TNLA fighter was left injured.
During the following months, TNLA and Tatmadaw forces en-
Conflict parties:
Conflict items:
TNLA vs. RCSS et al.
subnational predominance
The violent conflict over subnational predominance between
the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Restoration
Council of Shan State (RCSS) continued.
The conflict had erupted in November 2015 when RCSS forces
had allegedly entered TNLA-controlled territory, the Palaung
Self-Administered Zone, Shan State, without warning, shortly
after signing the nationwide ceasefire agreement with the
government [→ Myanmar (UNFC)]. However, RCSS claimed
that it was in control of the disputed territory since 2008.
In the course of the year, numerous clashes between TNLA
and RCSS left at least 20 dead and 4,650 internally displaced.
On February 7, RCSS forces attacked a TNLA base in Lotnaw
village, Namhkam township. Heavy shelling between both
groups left at least one combattant dead, one civilian injured,
and the 1,500 inhabitants internally displaced. Meanwhile,
TNLA and RCSS forces clashed in Kyaukme and Namhsan
townships, leaving at least three civilians injured, approx.
300 civilians internally displaced, and one house destroyed.
In early May, TNLA and RCSS forces clashed in Namkham,
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