During February and March 2022, security forces in northwestern Myanmar’s Sagaing Region seized a number of IEDs designed to resemble concrete right-of-way markers. In two of the incidents, the IEDs were encased in a cylindrical concrete camouflage sleeve, painted white and red and placed upright adjacent to asphalt roads, in a highly convincing imitation of actual roadside markers prevalent in the area, which could very likely be overlooked. The use of IEDs encased in concrete casts or shells in several configurations has been widespread in the region over the past few months, yet this camouflage design that mimics items visibly placed close to their intended targets on the road, constitutes a new development, likely to prevent the discovery of the IEDs and thus enable their initiation at a minimal distance from the target, resulting in an effective strike. Even as local security forces may become familiar with the camouflage TTP, the abundance of similar items in the region would require personnel to inspect multiple potential scenes, and will additionally serve to significantly hinder the advancement of troops in the area.
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