Myanmar Rebel Victory, Sudan Army Recaptures Key Region

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — OCT 15 2024

Good morning. Today’s update covers the latest from the Myanmar civil war and the Sudan civil war.

Welcome to your daily international conflict briefing.

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Map of today’s newsletter:

• 🇲🇲 Myanmar civil war continues

• ⚔️ A high-altitude missile interceptor

• 🇸🇩 Sudanese army recaptures strategic area

1 - MYANMAR

1 thing to know

A rebel army in Myanmar captured a Myanmar military base.

The context 

In Myanmar the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its allies captured the headquarters of Border Guard Force Battalion (BGF) 1002 in Kachin State, a significant base for Myanmar’s military and BGF troops near the Chinese border. 

Despite heavy airstrikes by Myanmar’s military junta, the KIA seized the base, capturing junta personnel and significant military equipment. Hundreds of residents have fled to China from Kachin State.

More from the region

In Sagaing Region, junta forces and allied militias have been conducting violent raids in Budalin Township. Since October 4, these forces have killed at least 18 civilians and arrested over 40 more in a brutal crackdown following resistance ambushes. The military and Pyu Saw Htee militias have been burning villages and displacing thousands of residents, forcing over 50,000 people to flee their homes. 

These new violent attacks are part of the junta’s efforts to suppress resistance forces all across northern Myanmar.

In northern Shan State, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) achieved a major victory by seizing the last junta battalion headquarters in Hsipaw Township. The TNLA, part of the Brotherhood Alliance (which also includes the Arakan Army), has been engaged in a sustained campaign against the junta and its allies. 

Despite warnings from China to cease hostilities, the TNLA has pressed forward, capturing key strategic areas along trade routes with China. The conflict has further destabilized the region, with ongoing clashes between Brotherhood Alliance forces and Myanmar military forces.

In the news

• TNLA takes junta base

• AA continues victorious march through Rakhine State

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TECH SPOTLIGHT: THE THAAD

Developed by Lockheed Martin after the 1991 Gulf War, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) is a powerful American missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles during their terminal phase (the descent or reentry stage). 

Unlike traditional missiles, THAAD doesn’t use explosives but instead relies on kinetic energy to obliterate incoming threats by simply smashing into them.

THAAD interceptors can reach a range of 125 miles and an altitude of 93 miles, and each THAAD battery includes six truck-mounted launchers with eight missiles each, an AN/TPY-2 radar system to detect targets, and a mobile command unit.

What it’s used for

THAAD is used to protect key areas from ballistic missile threats and has been deployed in regions like the UAE, Israel, South Korea, and Romania. It’s designed to counter missile attacks by intercepting them at high altitudes, making it particularly useful for defending against enemy strikes.

The US recently deployed one of its THAAD batteries to Israel to help defend against further massive missile barrages from Iran.

Read more on the Lockhed Martin website here.

2 - SUDAN

1 thing to know

After fierce fighting, the Sudanese Armed Forces recaptured the Jebel Moya region of Sennar, reopening key transport routes.

The context 

The Sudanese army recaptured the area of Jebel Moya in Sennar state after fierce fighting for the strategic mountain range.  The RSF captured the mountain range back in June, which disrupted supply lines to many parts of Sudan, including Kordofan and Darfur, and eastern Sudan.  The RSF also used Jebel Moya to launch attacks on the rest of Sennar state as well.  With the city's recovery, important transport routes can be reopened, and truck traffic to White Nile cities has already resumed.  

The leader and Commander in Chief of the SAF, Lt Gen Abdelfattah El Burhan, also arrived via helicopter and inspected the troops in the region, just days after they took control of the area again.

More from the region

The civilian death toll continues to mount in El Fasher, with a health director reporting that 80 had died, with over 500 more wounded since September.  The ongoing siege of the city has crippled it's healthcare system, with hospitals now lacking both supplies and staff.  Continuous airstrikes by SAF also continue to contribute to the civilian deaths.

The SAF also continued it's progress against the RSF in Khartoum making small gains and maintaining their positions in the newly-retaken area in El Morgan, although not all of their objectives in the El Morgan have been accomplished yet.

In the news

• SAF recaptures Jebel Moya

• SAF progress in Khartoum

• SAF receives armored vehicles to counter snipers

P.S. If you have a source, tip, or piece of information we missed, please reply to this email and tell us about it. Thank you!