Myanmar fighting

Nearly the entire town of Thantlang, with more than 8,000 people, was abandoned in Chin State, western Myanmar, in late September as militia groups and the Myanmar military fought in the area. Artillery strikes from the military destroyed houses and set portions of the town on fire. One person, a Christian pastor, was reportedly killed as he tried to fight a house fire.

According to Indian authorities, at least 5,500 of the residents of the town had sought refuge in India.

The Myanmar military staged a coup in February 2021, arresting State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, who had been appointed leader by the elected parliament. Since the coup, at least 1,000 people have been killed and more than 6,000 arrested during counterprotests. In August 2021, General Min Aung Hliang named himself Prime Minister.