Report: Airstrikes and Illegal Mining Deepen Myanmar's Crisis
A new report finds that a thriving 'conflict economy' built on mineral extraction is fueling continued abuse of civilians by Myanmar's military and armed groups, compounded by ongoing airstrikes.
Report describes a thriving 'conflict economy'
A new report on the scale of recent violence in Myanmar describes a thriving "conflict economy" in which various actors profit from mineral extraction while civilians continue to suffer widespread abuse.
According to the report, both Myanmar's military and various armed groups are implicated in abuses against civilians. At the same time, airstrikes continue across the country, adding to an already dire humanitarian situation. The report's authors note that illegal mining has become a significant source of income for parties to the conflict, helping to sustain and finance further military activity.
Resource extraction and violence reinforce one another
The report emphasizes that mineral extraction and violence against civilians are not separate phenomena but interconnected processes. Areas where mining activity is intense frequently also see serious human rights violations, as control over resources becomes one of the driving forces behind the conflict.
Myanmar has been mired in prolonged internal conflict since a military coup several years ago, involving forces loyal to the government as well as various ethnic and resistance movements. The new report adds to existing evidence that the conflict continues to inflict severe consequences on civilians, even as the international community continues searching for ways to respond to the situation.
