Battle of Thantlang

The Battle of Thantlang is a series of battles fought over the control of Thantlang town in Chin State, Myanmar between junta forces and local Chin rebels in 2021. The battle has left the town largely destroyed.[3] In 2023, there continue to be clashes in Thantlang as the junta attempts to regain control of the township.[4]

Battle of Thantlang
Part of Myanmar civil war (2021–present)
DateSeptember 2021 – present
Location
Thantlang, Chin State, Myanmar
22°41′57″N 93°25′41″E
Result

Ongoing

  • CNA/CDF claims control of two-thirds of Thantlang
  • Junta forces maintain a presence and attempt recaptures in 2023
Belligerents

State Administration Council

 Chin National Army
Chin National Defence Force
Chinland Defense Force
Commanders and leaders
Saw Ye Hmue Aung
Hein Myat Soe[1]		 Unknown
Units involved

Tatmadaw

 CDF-Thantlang

Background

Following the February 2021 military coup d'état, Thantlang saw several anti-coup protests. As the junta cracked down on the peaceful demonstrations, many residents took up arms and Chinland armed groups started to organise resistance. Military forces killed civilians with gunfire and artillery strikes and additionally set fire to the town several times burning over a thousand buildings. By September 2021, they started gaining ground in the township.[3]

Summary

Initial battle

On 19 September 2021 clashes broke out in Thantlang when Chin National Army (CNA) and CDF-Thantlang launched attack on a junta base reportedly killing around 30 soldiers. In response junta forces killed a Christian leader who tried to put of a fire. A month later they returned and burned down two churches and at least 164 homes.[5][6]

By late November 2021 Chin forces captured 51 out of the 88 villages in the Thantlang Township.[3]

On 9 June 2022 military forces burned down the decades-old Thantlang Baptist Church.[5] On 1 February 2023 Chin forces captured two soldiers and four police officers with their weapons. At this rebel forces claimed to control around two-thirds of Thantlang.[7]

The battle also lead to the exodus of thousands of residents as early as September 2021.[8] Over 10,000 Thantlang residents fled the town, seeking refuge in the countryside and the neighbouring Indian state of Mizoram.[9] By November 2022, much of Thantlang had been burned down.[3]

Renewed battle

On 8 February 2023, joint CNA/CNDF forces attacked the Thantlang police station. The rebels successfully took control of the station by 2 a.m., claiming to have killed four officers. The forces lost one fighter and one fighter was injured. Additionally, they claimed to have captured 40 rifles as well as grenades, ammunition and an anti-drone weapon.[10] Following this attack, the Tatmadaw remained in control of only Tat Kone hill near the town, where Light Infantry Battalion 269 was stationed.[2]

On 26 May 2023, around 150 junta soldiers left Hakha to recapture Thantlang. They encountered Chin forces and the subsequent battle killed 27 junta soldiers while the rebels suffered 12 fatalities and 10 injuries.[4] On 30 March 2023 junta forces bombed Khuabung village near Thantlang killing eight residents and injuring 20.[5]

On 14 June, local media reported that junta forces had recaptured rebel camp in Lungkhar. One column of soldiers was reportedly in Thantlang while another was approaching it.[11] During the attack, three rebel fighters were killed. On 16 June clashes again erupted in Thee Mit Valley with reportedly more than 50 soldiers were killed and 20 wounded and 12 Chin fighters killed and other 12 injured.[12]

Banking on the principle of universal jurisdiction, legal case was filed against ten officials of the Myanmar junta over alleged war crimes committed in Thantlang in the legal system of the Philippines.[13]The Myanmar Accountability Project and the Chin Human Rights Organization were behind the filing of the case.[14]

References
  1. POWs Reveal Names of Junta Captains Who Reduced Chin Town of 10,000 to Ashes, 13 February 2023
  2. "Ethnic Chin rebels dispute junta claim of martial law in one key township". RFA. 10 February 2023. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023.
  3. Fishbein, Emily (9 November 2022). "The Military Tried to Burn Thantlang Down: How a Myanmar Township Defied the Odds to Become a Resistance Stronghold". Time. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023.
  4. Nearly 30 junta soldiers killed in battle in Timit river plain between Hakha-Thantlang, 5 June 2023
  5. "Once-bustling town of Thantlang reduced to rubble by Myanmar's junta". RFA. 31 March 2023. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023.
  6. "New fighting breaks out in Chin State's Thantlang". Myanmar Now. 28 September 2021. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023.
  7. "Chin resistance forces capture six, including an army lieutenant, in Thantlang ambush". Myanmar Now. 2 February 2023. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023.
  8. "Thousands flee Thantlang, Chin State after clashes with junta troops". Frontier Myanmar. 2021-09-23. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  9. "Army shelling in Myanmar blamed for setting 160 homes ablaze". AP NEWS. 2021-10-30. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved 2021-11-02.
  10. "Chin resistance groups capture police station in Thangtlang town, Chin State". BNI Online. 13 February 2023. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023.
  11. The junta army reportedly killed two comrades of the Chinland Defense Force – Hakha (CDF – Hakha) and the Chin National Army (CNA) at a base camp near Lungkhar village in Hakha township of Chin state, Myanmar, on Monday, Chindwin News Agency
  12. "Myanmar Junta Troops Seize Resistance Camp in Ambush in Chin State". The Irrawaddy. 14 June 2023. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023.
  13. "Myanmar Nationals File Case Against Junta in Philippines". The Irrawaddy. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
  14. Nuval, Valerie Joyce (25 October 2023). "Myanmar nationals seek justice in Philippines for "military war crimes" in their country". VERA Files. Retrieved 26 October 2023.
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