Two fighters were reportedly killed in a clash between anti-regime Chin groups in Matupi town on Tuesday, marking the latest setback for Chin State’s divided resistance forces.
The Chin Brotherhood said it was attacking a junta infantry battalion when it came under fire from Chinland Council troops. Two Brotherhood fighters were killed and several others injured, spokesman Salai Yaw Marn said.
The group launched Operation Chin Brotherhood on June 9 to drive junta troops out of Myanmar’s poorest state, which borders Bangladesh and India. Rakhine State’s Arakan Army and Magwe Region’s Yaw Army joined the operation.
The allied forces seized Matupi town’s police station and administration department on June 13, before capturing Light Infantry Battalion 304 on Monday, the spokesman said.
On Tuesday, Chin Brotherhood fighters attacking Infantry Battalion 140 found themselves in a firefight with Chinland Council troops.
“It was like we were trapped and attacked on both sides,” Salai Yaw Marn said.
The Chin Brotherhood comprises the Zomi Federal Union, Chin National Organization, Mindat Chin National Council, Maraland and Kampelet Chin Defense Forces (CDF), and Matupi CDF Brigade 1.
The Chinland Council meanwhile was formed in December with more than 100 members, including the Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA), ousted Chin MPs and other anti-regime and administrative organizations. The CNA was formed in 1988 to seek a federal Union that guarantees self-determination, ethnic equality and democracy.
The formation of the CNA-led Chinland Council split the state’s resistance into two major groups: the Chin Brotherhood and Chinland Council. Each has launched separate military campaigns against the junta, leading to tensions between them.
The situation in Matupi Township is further complicated by the local Chinland Defense Force splitting into two brigades: Brigade 1 has joined the Chin Brotherhood while Brigade 2 has aligned with the Chinland Council.
In a statement on Tuesday’s deadly clash, the Chin Brotherhood said it had detained a CNA member caught driving close to Infantry Battalion 140 on Monday evening and had planned to release him the following day. However, the CNA and allied forces carried out a sneak attack using drones and grenade launchers around 5 am on Tuesday, said the statement.
“They attacked us from behind thinking that their soldier had died. We were forced into a clash with Infantry Battalion 140 and CNF troops,” said Salai Yaw Marn.
The Chinland Council stated that the clash occurred because the Chin Brotherhood had unjustly detained one of its members who was ferrying displaced people from Matupi while also disrupting its movements between Fanai village and Infantry Battalion 140.
CNF/CNA spokesman Salai Htet Ni said: “Things didn’t go as planned in Matupi. The AA was tasked with attacking Battalion 304 while our group took responsibility for attacking Battalion 140 and the hilltop tactical command base. As we were about to attack those targets, AA troops intercepted and blocked us from advancing. We told them to withdraw, but they didn’t listen.”
The operation to capture Infantry Battalion 140 and its hilltop command base has been ongoing since May 6 and is being aided by CDF-Matupi.
The Chinland Council reports capturing three regime strongholds on the road running from the state’s northern border: Kyeekha town on May 19, Tongzan Township on May 23, and the junta’s administrative offices in Matupi Township on May 30.
Salai Htet Ni said: “We will do what it takes to seize more junta positions.”
In May, the Chin Brotherhood accused the CNF of trying to occupy Kyindwe town in Kanpetlet Township, which the Brotherhood had seized from the regime in late April.
Observers say that a united ethnic Chin resistance could rapidly liberate the state from junta occupation.
India for Myanmar, an India-based democracy and human rights group comprised of experts, activists, and organizations, is seeking to unify Chin’s anti-regime groups.
“I regret the clash,” said Salai Do Kwar, India for Myanmar’s founder.
“I have long urged [the Chin resistance organizations] to engage in negotiations.”
The Chin Brotherhood is now attacking junta positions in Tedim, the next town on the road running south from Tonzang.
