Arakan Army In Rakhine, Sudan RSF Blockade

THE WAR NEWSLETTER — SEPTEMBER 13 2024

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Welcome to your daily international conflict update.

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Today’s updates:

1. 🇲🇲 Myanmar: Arakan Army expands control in Rakhine State

2. 🇸🇩 Sudan: RSF blockade intensifies crisis

1 - MYANMAR

The Arakan Army (AA), a rebel military organization in Myanmar, is expanding control in Rakhine State amid clashes with Myanmar's military junta. AA chief Tun Myat Naing reports establishing governance structures, including healthcare and policing. Junta airstrikes have disrupted services and closed schools. The AA also faces medical supply shortages.

An August attack in Maungdaw, Rakhine State, killed dozens of civilians during fighting between the AA, junta troops, and Rohingya militias. Video evidence shows about 22 bodies near the Naf River, likely from August 5. Rohingya activists abroad accuse the AA of genocide.

AA commander Tun Myat Naing advocates for a confederation model in Myanmar and collaboration with various ethnic groups. He doubts the junta's planned 2025 election will succeed. Myat Naing claims resistance forces have made progress against the demoralized junta military, which relies on conscripts. He predicts further actions in Central Myanmar soon.

Read more on Irrawaddy or DW

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2 - SUDAN

The Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Army claimed that his forces were poised for victory against the RSF (Rapid Support Forces), since the acquisition of new and advanced weaponry.  With the new weaponry, the army claimed that it would soon "liberate every inch" of Sudanese territory.

Despite these claims, the RSF blockade of the Zamzam camp in El Fasher continues, and the paramilitary group has stationed troops around key supply routes into the camp.  The RSF have also arrested dozens of people smuggling fuel and supplies into the camp, worsening the food crisis even further for the half of a million displaced people living there.

Read more on Relief Web or Sudan Tribune here or here

THE REST OF THE WORLD…

• 🇺🇦US and UK diplomats meet in Ukraine to discuss long range weapons [Defense Post]

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