By Antonio Graceffo
“The situation on the ground is dire,” reported David Eubank head of Free Burma Rangers (FBR), via Starlink from inside of the combat zone. “There’s heavy fighting in Chin State in the west and in Rakhine State (also called Arakan State) in the southwest.
Fighting has also spread to Naga Division (also called Sagaing Region) and parts of Mon State in the southeast.” In Karen State, the Burma Army’s relentless assaults have left villages in ruins, claimed the lives of elderly civilians and children, and forced families to flee under the constant threat of drone strikes, air raids, and artillery bombardments targeting not just resistance fighters but innocent people in their homes.
“In Kachin State, the fighting is intense,” Eubank added. “Just yesterday, the Burma Army bombed a church, killing villagers and causing significant damage to the structure.” The conflict continues to spread, engulfing nearly every region of the state.
The FBR is a faith-driven, frontline aid organization dedicated to providing medical care and humanitarian assistance to soldiers, civilians, and internally displaced persons in active war zones. In addition to their lifesaving work, the rangers run Good Life Club programs, which bring hope and joy to children through performances, games, and educational lessons.
Dispersed across the country, Ranger teams are equipped with cameras and recording devices to monitor the conflict and document human rights abuses and war crimes perpetrated by the Burmese army and its allied and proxy ethnic armed organisations.
As of November 21, in Karen State (also called Kayin State), the conflict rages on as resistance forces and the Burma Army engage in fierce battles across multiple districts, particularly along the Asia Highway in Dooplaya District, Hpa-an District, and Mutraw District (Papun District). Almost every major district in Karen State is affected, except for areas under the 5th and 7th Brigades.
In Mutraw District, known as the ancient Karen capital, the fighting has been especially intense. On November 9, resistance forces, including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF), launched an attack on the Burma Army’s Kuseik Camp near Hpapun.
The PDF, established after the February 2021 military coup, are pro-democracy resistance groups formed under the National Unity Government (NUG). They consist of civilians, students, former military personnel, and members of ethnic minority groups who have taken up arms to oppose the Burma Army’s regime. The PDF collaborates closely with ethnic armed organizations like the KNLA, sharing resources and fighting against the military junta.
Since launching a coordinated counteroffensive in October 2023, resistance groups – including armed ethnic organisations and the PDF – have focused on overrunning and capturing Burma Army camps and positions, pushing the military out of ethnic states. One such effort culminated on November 11, after days of intense fighting, when resistance forces seized Kuseik Camp in Mutraw District, forcing the Burma Army to retreat to Ma Htaw Camp.
The battle left eight Burma Army soldiers dead and two resistance fighters injured. The victory delivered a critical blow to the military’s position in the area, with resistance forces capturing rocket launchers, mortar rounds, drone jammers, and other ammunition.
“The Burma Army retains control over major cities, border crossings, and much of the country’s commerce, thanks to significant international support from allies like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, who provide weapons, drones, and airpower,” Eubank explained. In contrast, the resistance has no direct external support, leaving them reliant on limited local resources. This imbalance is further compounded by the Burma Army’s air superiority, with jet fighters, helicopters, and transport planes enabling devastating airstrikes that primarily target civilians.
Despite the relentless conflict, the Free Burma Rangers, a diverse team of all ethnicities and religions, stand united in their mission to provide humanitarian, medical, and spiritual aid. Each Ranger is required to be motivated by love, not hate, and they vow never to “run if the people you’re helping cannot run.”
Eubank emphasises that the Rangers remain steadfast in supporting the people of Burma, who are committed to the long haul and determined to restore democracy in their country. “Despite these overwhelming disadvantages, the resistance continues to grow, driven by their determination to fight for freedom and justice,” he adds.
Note:
The author of this article is stationed on the Thai-Burma border, reporting both from inside of Burma and from the refugee camps along the border. This piece draws from the authors observations, as well as from Free Burma Rangers’ weekly dispatch and an interview with David Eubank, head of the Free Burma Rangers, conducted via Starlink. Eubank provided an update on the state of the conflict as of November 21, 2024.
