Intense fighting has continued for nearly a month in Mindat and Falam towns in Chin State, with the Chin Brotherhood (CB) claiming to have gained control of some areas in the towns, according to CB officials.
As part of Operation CB, the Chin Brotherhood and its allied forces have been conducting offensives against military council bases in Mindat and Falam since 9 November, with fighting continuing through the first week of December.
“As part of the operations, fighting is taking place in both Mindat and Falam every day. When we say we’ve gained control, it means some crucial sites remain. We’re still trying. Airstrikes continue. The military has also fired into civilian areas and villages,” said Salai Timmy, spokesperson for the Chin National Organization/Chin National Defense Force (CNO/CNDF).
During the Falam battle, some junta strongholds remain, with the regime defending using extensive air and artillery support.
On the morning of 3 December, the military bombed the ridge south of Surbung Airport and airlifted ammunition and supplies to Battalion Battalion-268, according to reports.
Ko Yaw Mang, spokesperson for the Mindat Township People’s Administration, confirmed that while they have captured some junta positions, the claim of total control of the town is not true.
“It’s not true that Mindat is fully controlled. It’s a bit of an exaggeration. It’s true that we’ve captured some areas and camps, which will be officially reported later. At the moment, Mindat is neither free of junta’s presence nor the town is taken full control by resistance forces,” said Ko Yaw Mang.
The Mandalay Free Press (MFP) had reported that the towns were under control, which Chin Brotherhood (CB) officials dismissed as an overstatement.
Currently, resistance forces from Sagaing Region, including the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) and Generation Z Army (GZA), are participating in the offensive.
The CNO’s general secretary Salai William Chin mentioned that resistance fighters from Magway Region and Yaw area are also involved in the fighting.
According to reports, there have been casualties of some Chin defense force members and non-Chin fighters during the operations.
The military council continues to defend using extensive air and artillery support, reportedly burning down numerous residential buildings in Mindat and Falam.
On 26 November, an airstrike by the military on the public hospital in Lumte village in Falam resulted in seven civilian deaths, including two healthcare workers, with four others injured.