YANGON - A surprise offensive by Myanmar ethnic armed groups has blocked two strategically vital roads to the country's biggest trading partner China, choking crossborder commerce and denying the cash-strapped junta taxes and foreign exchange.
Fighting has raged across northern Shan state for two weeks, displacing almost 50,000 people, according to the United Nations, and posing the most serious military challenge to the generals since they seized power in 2021.
The blockage to key transport arteries is already leading to higher prices in markets and hampering the junta's ability to send reinforcements to tackle the offensive.
"We haven't seen any (goods) trucks since the fighting started" on Oct 27, a resident of Muse town on the border with China told AFP.
Hundreds of trucks a day normally pass through, taking fruit and vegetables into China and bringing back electronic equipment, medicine and consumer goods.
In the town of Lashio, about 160km away by road, residents are feeling the impact of the fighting.
"One bag of rice was 160,000 kyat (S$100) before the fighting," said one resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons.
この記事は The Straits Times の November 12, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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この記事は The Straits Times の November 12, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
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