Beyond the Mekong | Society | Southeast Asia

Analyzing the Human Toll of Myanmar’s Civil War

Su Mon Thant from ACLED talks about the military’s mounting atrocities, and the Arakan Army’s recent abuses against the Rohingya.

Su Mon Thant inspects a Catholic church that was bombed and torched by the Myanmar military in Demoso township, in Myanmar’s Kayah State, June 2022.

Su Mon Thant is a senior analyst with Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) specializing in conflict dynamics and democracy in the Asia-Pacific. Her focus is on Myanmar, where her independent, non-profit organization collects real time data and analysis.

According to Su Mon and ACLED, the death toll from all sides since the civil war erupted with a coup d’etat in February 2021 is about to hit 100,000 with the conflict entering a stalemate.

Of particular recent concern are allegations of atrocities committed against the Rohingya by the Arakan Army (AA) in 2024-2025, during its successful offensives in Rakhine State, and whether the Rohingya can return home from the refugee camps in Bangladesh.

Su Mon said the AA had not fully denied the allegations but argued militants from the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army and Rohingya........

© The Diplomat