Chin theater

The Chin Theater is one of the theaters of the Myanmar civil war (2021–present), with resistance forces fighting against the Tatmadaw military junta in Chin State, western Myanmar.

Background
Chin State is the least-developed region of Myanmar. It is located in the far west, on the border with India.

Paletwa, located in Southern Chin State, Myanmar, has met conflict earlier than other towns in the State. Since 2019, the AA has been engaging in multiple armed clashes with the Myanmar army, as part of Conflict in Rakhine State (2016-present). The Myanmar army imposed an internet shutdown in Paletwa since then.

Prelude
After the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, people from Chin State were particularly active in anti-coup protests. Days after the beginning of the 2021 Kalay clashes on March 28, 2021, resistance groups in Chin State formed the Chinland Defense Forces on April 4, 2021 to defend civilians from the Tatmadaw's violent crackdowns against protestors. Similarly, the Chin National Organization (CNO), along with its armed wing, the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF), was established on April 13th, 2021.

2021
On 26 April 2021, the Battle of Mindat became the first large-scale conflict arising from the 2021 coup. As a response, the junta cut off food and water supplies and declared martial law. More than 10,000 people have left Mindat in southern Chin State as the Myanmar military started an all-out operation to quell an armed revolt headed by local citizens. Landmine and Cluster Munition Monitor reported that the Myanmar military used cluster munitions bombs in Mindat.

In late May 2021, the Chin-State based Chin National Front became the first ethnic armed organization to formally ally with the National Unity Government of Myanmar in the fight against the junta.

On 19 September 2021, clashes broke out in Thantlang when Chin National Army (CNA) and CDF-Thantlang launched an attack on a junta base reportedly killing around 30 soldiers. In response, junta forces killed a Christian leader who tried to put off a fire. A month later they returned and burned down two churches and at least 164 homes. The battle also leads to the exodus of thousands of residents as early as September 2021. Over 10,000 Thantlang residents fled the town, seeking refuge in the countryside and the neighboring Indian state of Mizoram.

CDF Paletwa carried out its first attack against junta soldiers in November 2021.

2022
In January 2022, tensions escalated between the military regime troops and the joint local forces (CNA, Chin National Defence Force, CDF Siyin, CDF KKG, PDF Zoland, PDF Kalay, Zomi PDF, Zogam Army) in Taingen village, Tedim, a strategic point on the road of Kalay-Tedim and Kalay-Falam, which also served as an entry point to Chin State from Sagaing. On January 12, the junta's transportation units advanced to the village from Kalay to deliver military supplies to its troops. The next day, on January 13, clashes broke out. The regime faced severe setbacks and fired heavy weapons from Kalay University while deploying air support. Consequently, over 1000 residents of Taingen and nearby villages, including Mualpi, Khai Kam, and Theizang, were displaced. The joint defense forces claimed an estimated 75 junta forces were killed. The battle lasted for over 10 days, and the joint forces eventually retreated due to inadequate weaponry.

As of May 2022, active fighting was taking place in eight of the nine townships of Chin State. In September 2022, the Chin National Army claimed that around 70% of the state was under the control of resistance forces.

By November 2022, much of Thantlang had been burned down.

2023
On January 10 and 12, 2023, Myanmar Air Force carried out airstrikes with one Yak-130 and two MiG-29 targeting Camp Victoria, CNA's headquarters, near the India-Myanmar border. Five CNA soldiers were killed, at least 10 were injured and some buildings were damaged. The air attacks violated Indian airspace and soil, according to the CNF, local Mizo organizations, and the international research and advocacy organization Fortify Rights. The Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) states that at least 200 Chin refugees crossed the border later the week following the airstrikes by Myanmar Army.

CDF Matupi engaged in attacks near Paletwa Township. On March 23 and 24, 2023, CDF Matupi and CNA attacked junta's convoy on the Matupi-Paletwa road, and claimed 13 soldiers were killed. CDF Paletwa assured that on 15 March 2023, Assam Rifles entered Paletwa township and fired gunshots. However,the Assam Rifles denied, saying its soldiers were engaged in “routine border point verification inside the Indian territory."

On April 10th 2023, Webula town, situated about 20 miles away from Falam town experienced an attack by Myanmar Air Force. The attack followed the seizure of the Var military camp by the CNDF earlier that day. The town was targeted along with Var village and Kyaung Hel village. This assault resulted in the deaths of at least nine civilians, while many others sustained injuries due to the airstrikes. Among the casualties were individuals near a school and a football field where fighter jet shells exploded. The airstrikes caused extensive damage to five civilian houses.

In May 2023, the first clash in Paletwa after the coup broke out between AA and the Myanmar military.

More than 100 battles had occurred in Chin State between July and November 2022, reported the Diplomat. The conflict between AA and the Myanmar military ended in Paletwa after both parties agreed to a temporary cease-fire with Yōhei Sasakawa's intermediary.

The first clash in Tonzang, located in northern Chin State, took place on August 1, 2023. The CDFs (CDF Hualngoram, Tonzang CDF, and PDA), along with the CNA, attacked Tonzang Police Station. The fight continued until August 2 and resulted in the death of one CDF soldier and a civilian man, forcing nearby residents to flee.

On November 14, 2023, the Arakan Army-Tatmadaw ceasefire breached after the AA, along with its alliance, launched the Operation 1027. The Arakan Army attacked military's outposts in Paletwa township and military deployed air strikes and heavy artillery fire, leading to ongoing and intense fighting.

On the same day, the Chin National Army and the local CDFs forces attacked the Myanmar Army's border guard outpost in Rikhawdar, Falam Township, a hub for border trade with India. The junta responded with air assaults using a jet fighter. Aljazeera reported more than 5000 people from Rihkhawdar and nearby villages fled to Mizoram, India. A total of 43 Myanmar soldiers crossed the India-Myanmar border and sought refuge from the Indian police. They were handed to the Myanmar officials by the Indian authorities through Moreh-Tamu border. Two days later, residents who had fled to India returned, marking the town as the first in Chin State under the control of the resistance forces.

On November 15, 2023, eleven civilians, including eight children, were killed in a Myanmar Air Force airstrike in Vuilu village of Matupi town, Southern Chin State. After the attack, the junta cut off mobile phone communications. Residents reported that there was no battle and CDF Matupi claimed that the attack deliberately targeted civilians.

2024
On 12 January 2024, the junta base at Taingen was attacked by the CNA, Civic Defense Militia, and the CDF. The base was being defended by 12 soldiers and 18 police officers. Fighting lasted for five days until 16 January, and involved junta forces shelling and using airstrikes against the attacking EAOs from their position in Kalay. The EAOs however killed majority of the junta forces using drone bombs. According to Salai Lian Bawi, spokesman of the Chin National Front, the joint Chin force had repeatedly phoned the junta forces to surrender, however they refused and all died. Casualties on the Chin's side were a total of eight - one for the CNA, and seven for the CDF. The joint force also suffered the loss of four drones, each worth around 90 million kyat.