The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said that amidst the "precarious and deteriorating" situation in Myanmar, relocating Indian Embassy staff from Sittwe to Yangon. This move comes in response to the escalating conflict within the nation. According to Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the MEA, the Indian Consulate in Mandalay remains operational, providing continued diplomatic assistance.
"The situation in Myanmar remains precarious and deteriorating … We have relocated our Embassy staff from Sittwe to Yangon. (Indian) Consulate in Mandalay remains functional," Randhir Jaiswal informed.
"We are closely monitoring security situation in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine state," the MEA also stated.
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Rebels Claim Control Over Key Border Town As Myanmar Troops Retreat
Rebel forces in Myanmar have declared control over the strategic border town of Myawaddy, marking a significant blow to the military junta. Approximately 200 Myanmar military personnel retreated to a bridge near the Thailand border following sustained assaults by anti-junta resistance groups. Reuters reports that this withdrawal follows a coordinated offensive by rebel factions, including the Karen National Union (KNU), resulting in the capture of the military base in Myawaddy.
"This is a crucial victory for our revolution since Myawaddy is an important border town for the junta, one of the main (sources of) income from border trade," stated Kyaw Zaw, a spokesperson for Myanmar's National Unity Government, representing ousted lawmakers and anti-junta factions, as quoted by Reuters' report.
The loss of Myawaddy represents another setback for the military-run government, which has faced mounting opposition since the 2021 coup. The conflict has led to a nationwide armed resistance, with rebel groups gaining ground in various frontier areas. Analysts speculate that the next targets for resistance forces may include major towns across Myanmar, the report stated.
As a result of the escalating violence, thousands of civilians have fled across the border into Thailand, seeking refuge from the turmoil. Thai authorities have reported a significant increase in the number of arrivals from Myanmar in recent days, with families, including children, among those seeking safety. Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin reiterated his country's neutrality in the conflict but assured readiness to accommodate up to 100,000 displaced individuals, as reported by Reuters.
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