On October 18, 2022, Myanmar security forces successfully neutralized a VBIED that had been parked in a commercial area in the center of Myawaddy town, in Kayin State, in eastern Myanmar. A large explosive payload had been placed in the trunk of the VBIED, comprising a cylindrical IED, in addition to four gas-filled cylinders. A few days earlier, on October 15, 2022, a VBIED initiated in Myawaddy, Myanmar, near the Myawaddy Border Crossing Station connecting the town with Mae Sot District in Tak Province, western Thailand. The VBIED was parked next to the inspection complex at the border crossing, on a civilian commercial street; the blast caused a fire and extensive damage in the area, but no injuries were reported. These two events, which occurred within a short period of time, added to the initiation of another VBIED in the same location earlier this year, can probably be attributed to armed groups that have increased their activity in eastern Myanmar following the military coup in the country in February 2021. VBIEDs are an extremely uncommon TTP in Myanmar, especially since the coup, and their appearance now in this arena marks an escalation against the background of the significant intensification of the fighting between military forces and militants in Kayin State in the past year.
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