This footage, provided by a member of the Myanmar military junta, shows a combined amphibious landing in the Northern part of Rakhine. Rakhine is a Western state in Myanmar which is on the coast of the Bay of Bengal.

Rakhine, like many states in Myanmar, harbors general anti-junta sentiment and fighters (such as local PDF units) that resist the regime via guerilla operations. There are also ethnicity-based forces which fight for sovereignty or equal recognition to other ethnic groups. In Rakhine's case, this refers to the Arakan Army, which uses the previous name of the state.

While the above description is largely typical of the conflict in Myanmar, this is, to my knowledge, the first time we've seen an amphibious landing of any scale in the fighting. While the landing itself looks like something out the Korean or Vietnam wars, the hovering drone overhead snaps us back to the reality of modern war, and the eyes always watching.

About the Author

Cole Simms

Cole Simms is an Air Guardsman, NASA enthusiast, police officer, and security contractor with particular experience in austere environments. Outside of work, he volunteers as a Stop The Bleed instructor for area schools. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and blends his knowledge and experience to write analysis for Funker530.

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