The Arakan Army (AA), a member of the Brotherhood Alliance engaged in Operation 1027 in northern Shan State, alleged that Myanmar’s junta deployed chemical weapons in Chin State since Sunday.
The AA, targeting regime hilltop outposts in Traunaing and Hnonebuu villages bordering Rakhine State, claimed that “chemical warfare agents” were dropped from Y-8 and Y-12 aircraft on Sunday evening, the Irrawaddy reported.
U Khine Thu Kha, the AA’s spokesperson, claimed that chemical bombs were dropped again on Monday during an attack on the Traunaing hilltop outpost.
He asserted that the junta is conducting at least 30 airstrikes daily in Paletwa. The AA contends that the targeted Traunaing and Hnonebuu outposts were used to oppress Chin and Rakhine communities in Paletwa Township.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), also part of the Brotherhood Alliance, reported the junta’s use of chemical weapons.
The TNLA claimed a chemical bomb was dropped on November 4 at Mong Kyat camp in Lashio Township, resulting in symptoms such as dizziness, breathlessness, nausea, extreme agitation, fatigue, and low oxygen levels among soldiers.
Similar symptoms were reported on November 18 at the Sakhan Thit hill base in Namkham Township.
On November 23, the MNDAA stated that junta aircraft dropped four chemical bombs on a seized regime hilltop outpost in Namsalat village, Hseni Township, in northern Shan State.
The MNDAA spokesperson, Li Jiawen, warned of more chemical attacks, including on civilian targets, while the junta’s mouthpiece, Major General Zaw Min Tun, denied the use of chemical weapons.
Meanwhile, Myanmar’s junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, urged armed ethnic groups involved in the offensive against the ruling military to resolve their issues “politically,” as reported by state media.
He warned of adverse impacts on residents if armed organizations persist in their actions. In response, the parallel National Unity Government, backing some armed rebel groups, dismissed the call for dialogue, emphasizing the need for the military to relinquish its political role.
As the conflict intensifies in Shan State on the border with China, and Rakhine and Chin States in the west, reports indicate dozens of military and police officials surrendering.
The United Nations notes that tens of thousands of residents have been displaced by the ongoing fighting.
