Issue 154 May 29th 2025

Introduction & Analysis

This collection of open-source English-language news articles published over the past week highlights significant events and issues concerning Myanmar. They present a snapshot of the country's safety and security landscape.

Resistance forces across Myanmar, including groups like the KNLA and PDF, continue to achieve military gains, capturing junta bases and consolidating control in various regions. The ruling military junta is accused of escalating violence through airstrikes against civilians, alleged chemical weapons use, summary executions, and forced conscription, leading to widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Despite international calls for peace, including ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus, regional corporate giants from ASEAN nations are accused of providing the junta with revenue, technology, and aviation fuel, effectively fueling its war crimes. Other notable developments include targeted killings of former military officers in urban areas, expanded recruitment drives by groups like the UWSA, and ongoing discrimination faced by minority groups.

ASEAN

Malaysia calls for Myanmar truce extension, pushes for peace deal

At a regional summit, Malaysia's foreign affairs minister Mohamad Hasan proposed extending and expanding ceasefires in Myanmar, calling on stakeholders to cease hostilities and facilitate recovery. Malaysia also ramped up calls for the implementation of a long-awaited five-point peace plan agreed to in 2021 and questioned the ruling military junta's plans for holding elections this year. This call comes as a post-earthquake truce, due to expire at the end of May, has reportedly seen continued fighting and junta airstrikes despite being in effect.

GCC: Myanmar crisis needs concrete solution

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has expressed significant concern over the humanitarian and political situation in Myanmar since the 2021 military coup, noting that there has been limited progress in restoring peace. GCC Assistant Secretary General, Dr Abdel Aziz Abu Hamad Aluwaisheg, stressed that the international community must not remain silent, calling for more concrete solutions and reaffirming GCC support for broader multilateral efforts, including those by the UN and OIC. Additionally, the GCC emphasizes the need for the safe and dignified return of displaced Rohingya refugees who remain in neighbouring countries and acknowledges the key role facilitating countries like Malaysia are taking in finding a sustainable solution.

Conflict

Myanmar military airstrikes hit Kanbalu Township villages, kill two civilians and displace hundreds

On May 21, Myanmar military forces conducted airstrikes on at least four villages in northern Kanbalu Township, Sagaing Region. These strikes resulted in two deaths, one injury, and the mass displacement of villagers across multiple villages. The airstrikes occurred shortly after nearly 200 junta soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee militia members entered one of the villages and were reportedly preparing to establish a permanent camp.

Myanmar Junta Nightmare Unfolding as Karen Resistance Gains Momentum

The Karen National Union (KNU), Myanmar’s oldest ethnic armed organization, is playing a pivotal role in the popular armed revolt against military rule, collaborating closely with People's Defense Forces (PDFs) and making significant gains in southern Myanmar. Combined KNU and PDF forces have captured strategic bases and camps across various fronts since late 2021, including along the Thai-Myanmar border, in Tanintharyi, and the Sittaung River basin. Since early 2025, increased coordination and consistent victories, alongside decreasing military cooperation between the junta and some Karen factions, suggest significant shifts are expected in the conflict.

Karen Resistance Captures Another Junta Base on Thai Border

On May 23, Karen resistance forces, including the KNLA, KNDO, and PDFs, captured the junta's Bledo military base in Kawkareik Township, Karen State, along the Thai border. The resistance, utilizing tactics like upgraded drone strikes, successfully took control of the base, seizing weapons and ammunition, while some 30 regime troops surrendered and others fled into Thailand. This capture is part of a larger trend where the KNU and its allies have seized multiple bases from the regime, including the former KNU base Maw Phoe Kay and the trade hub Htee Khee, indicating momentum against the junta.

Officer among 18 found dead in junta helicopter downed by Kachin fighters

Kachin Independence Army (KIA) spokespersons confirmed that anti-junta fighters shot down a junta helicopter near Bhamo, Kachin State, resulting in the death of 18 military personnel who were on board. This helicopter was one of three transporting reinforcements and supplies to junta forces engaged in fierce fighting against KIA and allied forces in Bhamo, an area described as an urban battlefield. Kachin fighters were able to damage two of the three aircraft, with one helicopter crash-landing near Shwegu and another forced to make an emergency landing.

Junta Accused of Deploying Chemical Weapons in Southern Shan State Clashes

The Danu People’s Liberation Front (DPLF) has accused Myanmar’s military junta of deploying chemical weapons in southern Shan State amidst escalating violence in Lawk Sawk Township. The DPLF reported that on May 20, junta aircraft dropped four suspected poison gas bombs and fired artillery shells, noting that previous attacks had caused serious health effects requiring treatment. The DPLF has condemned this alleged use of chemical weapons as a war crime violating international laws and has issued a warning urging civilians to avoid military zones due to the increased risk.

Retired Myanmar brigadier general shot dead at home in Yangon

A retired Myanmar military officer, Brigadier General Cho Tun Aung, holding the honorary title “Wunna Kyaw Htin,” was shot dead at his residence in Yangon’s Mayangone Township on the morning of May 22. The Golden Valley Warriors, an urban guerrilla group, claimed responsibility for the targeted killing, stating he was shot four times in the chest at his home on A1 Street. Cho Tun Aung was a lecturer at the National Defence College, had previously served as Myanmar’s ambassador to Cambodia, and was allegedly advising on recruitment alongside other former military officers, while also remaining active in military circles.

An urban guerrilla group in Myanmar claims responsibility for assassinating a retired army officer

A retired high-ranking military officer, Cho Tun Aung, was shot dead on Thursday near his home in Yangon, Myanmar's biggest city. A self-proclaimed urban guerrilla group named the Golden Valley Warriors claimed responsibility, stating he was targeted for giving lessons contributing to the military's actions in the civil war and his connection to the War Veterans Organization which helps organize militias. This killing is the latest in a series of assassinations that have targeted high-ranking military figures, officials, and others perceived as linked to the army since the 2021 military takeover.

62 Myanmar soldiers flee to Thailand after rebels attacked their checkpoints

Sixty-two Myanmar junta soldiers fled to Thailand seeking refuge after the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) attacked and captured their posts near the border in Karen State. Thai forces allowed the soldiers, 11 of whom were injured, to enter the Phop Phra district of Tak province, where they were disarmed. The soldiers reportedly claimed the KNLA killed 18 of their colleagues during the attack, and the KNLA is an armed ethnic group that has been fighting for the self-determination of the Karen people since 1949.

Security Increased at Myitkyina Airport

Security at Myitkyina Airport has been significantly increased since April 10, 2025, involving the deployment of approximately 20 junta troops inside and around the airport buildings, including entrances and terminals, in addition to existing police guards. This enhanced security is layered onto measures implemented since the February 2021 coup, which include a perimeter checkpoint manned by Infantry Battalion (IB) 37 soldiers who conduct detailed inspections and verify travelers' identification. The reinforcement appears to be a reaction to resistance force artillery shells and makeshift rockets landing near the airport, though these attacks have seemingly persisted despite the additional troops, prompting some local residents to move.

PDF joint force seizes Myanmar junta tower camp in Bago Region following ambush of reinforcements

A joint force of the People's Defence Forces (PDF) seized the Thein Kone Tower Camp in Paungde Township, Pyay District of the Bago Region. The capture of the camp on May 19 occurred after junta troops abandoned it following an ambush on May 17 by the PDF targeting a reinforcement convoy. This successful operation signals growing strength and coordination among PDF units in central Myanmar, as they continue to challenge military positions.

Comparative Insurgencies: Strategic Lessons for Myanmar’s Resistance from Syria’s Regime Collapse

The swift overthrow of Syria's Assad regime by rebel groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) serves as a significant case study, offering strategic lessons for Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) despite notable differences between the conflicts. Key takeaways for the NUG include the necessity of military preparation, strategic timing, cohesive leadership, developing indigenous military capabilities, and fostering strategic coordination among diverse rebel groups. The Syrian experience also underscores the vital role of inclusive governance for ethnic and religious minorities, establishing territorial control with robust governance structures, and effectively navigating the complexities of gaining international legitimacy.

KIA Drone Strike Downs Myanmar Junta Chopper

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) claims to have destroyed a Myanmar junta transport helicopter that crash-landed following an ambush in Kachin State. The ambush, which used rockets and drones, targeted helicopters supplying and reinforcing troops in Bhamo; one helicopter crashed in a forest, while another made an emergency landing in Shwegu. The grounded helicopter near Shwegu was later destroyed by drones, and KIA troops reportedly found a total of 19 bodies at the crash site, including a captain.

Junta Executes 23 Residents of Gangaw Township Village

On May 12, 2025, junta soldiers raided Lelma Village in Gangaw Township, Magway Region, executing 11 people in the village, including four who were not suspected of being PDF members and three minors. The soldiers also took 20 other detained villagers with them to their Infantry Battalion (IB) 50 headquarters. By May 21, all 20 villagers taken to the headquarters were reported to have been executed, resulting in a total of 23 people from Lelma Village who were summarily and illegally executed.

Myanmar’s Long Rebellion: A Nation’s Battle for Dignity in the Shadow of Tyranny

Myanmar is enduring a full-spectrum human rights catastrophe following the February 2021 coup, marked by extensive civilian deaths, arrests, and suffering inflicted by the military junta, which also profits from illicit economies. Despite this tyranny, the people of Myanmar have shown extraordinary resilience and defiance through grassroots resistance, including civil disobedience, the formation of alternative governance structures, and the significant involvement of women and youth who are actively reimagining the state from below. The crisis is a regional emergency and a global test of conscience, with calls for decisive international action, including sanctions, a global arms embargo, accountability for perpetrators, and support for emerging governance alternatives, as current responses are seen as insufficient.

Crime & Narcotics

Fake job agent linked to Myanmar cyber crime hub held at Delhi airport

A fake job agent from Gujarat, identified as Hitesh, was arrested at the Delhi airport based on a look-out notice, in connection with a cyber crime hub located in Myanmar. He allegedly lured youth, including Kokkirala Madhukar Reddy from Karimnagar, to Mywaddy, Myanmar with false promises of IT jobs, where they were subsequently trapped in international cyber crime operations and subjected to torture. Following Madhukar Reddy's rescue and detailed account of the scam and the agent, police were able to apprehend Hitesh upon his arrival in Delhi.

Korean man rescued from Myanmar scam after kidnapping by Chinese fraud group

A South Korean man in his 20s, referred to as Mr. A, was rescued from a Chinese fraud organization in Myawaddy, Myanmar, after being held captive for over two weeks. He was deceived by a job offer in Thailand, kidnapped to Myanmar, and forced to participate in online financial fraud targeting South Koreans, enduring beatings for poor performance. His rescue was achieved through cooperation between the South Korean Embassy in Thailand and the governments of Myanmar and Thailand, highlighting Myawaddy as a base for Chinese online crime groups that use employment scams and human trafficking.

Ethnic Issues

MON RESISTANCE MERGER: Ramonnya Army formed by two Mon resistance movements

Two Mon resistance movements, the New Mon State Party-Anti-Military Dictatorship (NMSP-AD) and the Mon State Liberation Army (MLA), merged on May 24, 2025, to form the Ramonnya Mon Army (RMA), aiming to fight the military dictatorship, achieve equality, and establish a Mon State with full self-determination. This unification is seen as an initial step towards a single Mon army, with a 26-member leadership committee formed, including a 7-member Military Committee to implement operations. In contrast, the two main Shan armies, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), remain divided by ideological differences and territorial disputes despite talk of unity, leading to frustration and loss of faith among the Shan people.

UWSA Expands Military Recruitment in Tangyan Township Amid Growing Control

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has launched a new military recruitment drive in Tangyan Township, Shan State, instructing local ward and village administrators to supply recruits for its recently established Brigade 713 under the 171st Military Region. This directive, which included a deadline of May 20 for providing recruits, has reportedly caused frustration among residents who perceive it as an unfair and unavoidable burden. The recruitment effort takes place within the context of the UWSA reinforcing its control in Tangyan since expanding its presence and seizing territory from the Mang Pang militia in July 2024, subsequently establishing checkpoints encircling the township since May 2025.

‘They look down on us for being Muslims’: Kaman marginalised in Yangon

Based on the sources, Kaman Muslims fleeing conflict in Rakhine State report facing significant discrimination in Yangon, particularly regarding finding work and housing, which they attribute to anti-Muslim bias and confusion with the Rohingya. This prejudice makes it challenging for Kaman to secure employment or rent property, a situation worsened by the lack of support from their community organizations whose ability to help is hampered. Consequently, many displaced Kaman are left in a difficult position in Yangon, as returning to the conflict-ridden areas of Rakhine is dangerous due to restrictions and risks.

Foreign Affairs

Myanmar, Russia sign pact of ‘mutual protection’ from international prosecution

Myanmar's military regime and Russia have signed a pact for "mutual protection" against what they call the "misuse of international legal processes". This agreement occurs as the leaders of both countries have rejected the authority of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the International Criminal Court (ICC), where they face accusations of violating international law, including war crimes and genocide. The pact, along with a supplementary implementation agreement and a legal cooperation program, was signed during an international legal forum in Saint Petersburg.

ASEAN Corporate Giants Fueling Myanmar Junta’s War Crimes: JFM

According to Justice For Myanmar (JFM) and The Irrawaddy, companies across ASEAN are providing Myanmar's military regime with essential support such as revenue, technology, and aviation fuel, enabling its ongoing terror campaigns and war crimes. This "network of corporate complicity" involves firms from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia across sectors like oil and gas, real estate, communications, and banking, facilitating the junta's actions despite international sanctions and ASEAN's peace efforts. JFM urges ASEAN companies to cut ties with the junta and calls on regional governments, accused of turning a blind eye, to take action, asserting that ending corporate support is vital for the lives of the Myanmar people and to stop the junta's violence.

US ‘illegally deported’ Vietnamese and Burmese migrants to South Sudan

Immigrant rights advocates accused the Trump administration of illegally deporting approximately a dozen migrants from countries including Myanmar and Vietnam to South Sudan. This action is alleged to have violated a court order issued by US district judge Brian Murphy, which prohibited swift deportations to countries other than the migrants' own without considering concerns about torture or persecution. Lawyers for the migrants requested an emergency court order to prevent further removals and asked the judge to order the return of those already deported, while the judge indicated the potential violation might amount to criminal contempt.

Myanmar nationals deported by US being held in notorious junta detention centre

Thirteen Myanmar nationals deported from the United States by the Trump administration are being held in a notorious detention centre in Yangon, known for its brutal treatment of detainees. These individuals are part of a group of 20 people the US has handed over to Myanmar’s military junta since April, with the US reportedly planning to deport a total of 27 Myanmar nationals. While four men and three women from the first group deported have since been released, the others, including those at the Aung Tha Pyay centre, remain in custody under interrogation reportedly supervised by the junta's military intelligence unit.

Myanmar nationals among deportees from US to South Sudan

The United States’ Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deported eight noncitizens, including two Myanmar nationals named Kyaw Mya and Nyo Myint, to South Sudan earlier this month. A federal judge subsequently ruled that these deportations violated a court order preventing removals without due process or the chance to seek protection from torture or other abuses. The DHS defended its actions, labelling the deportees as "violent criminals" and calling court proceedings challenging the deportations "absurd".

Trump administration orders US embassies to stop student visa interviews

The Trump administration has directed US embassies worldwide to immediately cease scheduling student and exchange visitor visa interviews as it prepares to implement comprehensive social media screening for all international applicants. A state department cable confirms this pause, instructing consular sections to halt adding appointment capacity until further guidance is issued within days. This directive is expected to cause severe delays in visa processing and could negatively impact universities that rely heavily on foreign students for revenue, building on earlier screening measures focused on students in pro-Palestinian protests.

Military

Myanmar military deliberately blocks reintegration of political prisoners, says rights group

According to Human Rights Myanmar (HRM), Myanmar's military junta is deliberately blocking the reintegration of former political prisoners as part of a systematic campaign to suppress dissent. The junta achieves this through surveillance, legal ambiguity, social ostracism, forced agreements, and coercive practices like family intimidation and property seizures. HRM views this as a calculated form of repression with a clear political purpose and urges the international community to impose targeted sanctions and support aid initiatives for former detainees.