37,000 displaced in Myanmar as conflict escalates

By Ali Murat Alhas

ANKARA (AA) – About 37,000 people, including women and children, have been displaced due to the clashes between the army and local popular defense forces in Myanmar, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Wednesday.

An associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Florencia Soto Nino said at a news conference that the UN is deeply concerned over the escalation in fighting between the army and local forces in northwestern Chin state as well as regions of Magway and Sagaing.

Noting that the clashes, which erupted after the army took control of the administration on Feb. 1, resulted in damage to settlements and displacement of people, she added that the locals, including women and children, as well as humanitarian aid workers, fled the region for India as a result of the escalation.

She called on the conflicting parties to fulfill their responsibilities under the international law and civil rights norms in terms of the protection of civilians and humanitarian aid workers.

- Military coup

On Feb. 1, Myanmar's military seized power after allegations of fraud in the November 2020 general elections and political tension in the country.

The army arrested leaders and officials of the ruling National League for Democracy party and declared a one-year state of emergency.

According to the civil rights group, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), more than 1,100 people have been killed and over 9,000 demonstrators have been arrested after the military intervened against anti-coup protesters and rebel groups.

The trial of senior government officials in military courts continued amid large-scale anti-coup demonstrations, it added.