The Three Brotherhood Alliance ethnic armed group coalition, which includes the Arakan Army, released a statement on November 1 strongly condemning the actions of the Myanmar military against the Chin State town of Thantlang, where more than 100 homes and two churches burnt down in a Tatmadaw shelling.

The statement said the Myanmar military had carried out such attacks several times in recent years in the Kokang, Ta’ang and Arakan areas, where the three allies are based.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance, which also includes the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, said they were saddened to hear of similar incidents in other states and regions in recent months.

The alliance stated that its members feel the same grief as their oppressed brothers and sisters in Thantlang and elsewhere subject to Tatmadaw aggression.

More than 160 houses and two Christian churches in Thantlang were destroyed by fire caused by the shelling on October 29.

A junta spokesman has claimed that the fire in Thantlang was caused by local anti-coup resistance fighters of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), not the Tatmadaw.

The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) said on November 1 that the Myanmar junta was deliberately carrying out a nationwide offensive.

The Karen National Union (KNU) issued a statement on October 30 strongly condemning the military council’s atrocities against unarmed civilians and calling on its allies to overthrow the military dictatorship.

Many residents have fled the town of Thantlang for safer locations in the aftermath of the shelling.