Current Events Related to Myanmar

ASEAN

Myanmar a challenge for new Asean chair Laos

Myanmar a challenge for new Asean chair Laos Bangkok Post

Conflict

Fighting in Rakhine threatens Chinese-backed infrastructure projects

Progress has stalled on the projects — the Kyaukphyu Special Economic Zone, a deep-sea port and a railway — because of the armed conflict, said a Rakhine resident who has been monitoring developments there. Nevertheless, Myanmar and China are trying to speed up the implementation of the deep-sea port project — a key part of China’s Belt and Road initiative in Myanmar — said Aung Naing Oo, chairman of Myanmar Special Economic Zone Central Working Committee and the junta’s Union Minister for Union Government Office 1.

Myanmar military accused of using cluster munitions | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

Myanmar military accused of using cluster munitions | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News NHK WORLD

More Myanmar junta troops surrender as MNDAA seizes outposts near Laukkai

More Myanmar junta troops surrender as MNDAA seizes outposts near Laukkai myanmar-now

Myanmar Junta Airstrikes Near China Pipeline ‘Risk Catastrophe’ in Shan State

Shan human rights agency warns random bombardment of villages along oil-gas pipeline route is inviting disaster, and urges China to withdraw investment.

Myanmar Infantry Division Surrenders in Laukkai, Shan State: Reports

Video and local reports suggest that remnants of the 55th Light Infantry Division capitulated to the ethnic MNDAA after fierce fighting in the Kokang capital.

Drone And Rocket Attacks on Junta Targets in Mandalay Unnerve Myanmar Junta

The series of coordinated attacks that hit the military’s nerve center in Myanmar’s second-largest city has prompted an intense security crackdown in Mandalay as well as raids on villages nearby.

Myanmar Military Bombards Civilians, Heritage in Mrauk-U as AA Advances

Ancient Rakhine capital’s Archaeological Museum reportedly destroyed as 50,000 residents flee deadly air and artillery strikes.

Myanmar Junta Loses Troops, Bases, One More Town in Five Days of Resistance Attacks

The Irrawaddy’s latest roundup includes incidents in Shan and Rakhine states and Sagaing, Mandalay and Magwe regions.

TNLA Attack SAC in Mantung and Namtu

Air bombardments by the State Administration Council (SAC) have led to yet another casualty in northern Shan State. This time, a woman was injured during shelling and an attack by an aircraft, and ten homes were damaged during fighting with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) a week ago in Mantung Township, according to the […]

The post TNLA Attack SAC in Mantung and Namtu appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Anti-junta forces claim attack on Myanmar’s central region military HQ

Anti-junta armies have attacked Myanmar’s military headquarters of Central Region Command in an old palace compound of Aungmyaythazan township, Mandalay city, the residents and members of forces who conducted the attack told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. A resident of Mandalay who lives near the royal palace compound speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals said Thursday that following the attack, junta troops intensified security measures and are carrying out searches and checks throughout the city.

There Is Finally Hope of Ousting Myanmar’s Military Junta

The success of the rebels is of vital interest to American plans in the region.

Crime & Narcotics

Myanmar-based gangs force trafficking victims to scam Americans online

Myanmar-based gangs force trafficking victims to scam Americans online The Citizen

New ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Scam Includes Victims In U.S. And Overseas

New ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Scam Includes Victims In U.S. And Overseas Forbes

Myanmar's battered junta in extreme legal jeopardy

Myanmar's battered junta in extreme legal jeopardy Asia Times

Southeast Asia’s ‘narco-state’ and ‘scam-states’ undercut authoritarian rule boasts

Southeast Asia’s ‘narco-state’ and ‘scam-states’ undercut authoritarian rule boasts Radio Free Asia

Myanmar arrests and deports more than 40,000 Chinese nationals associated with unlawful online scam groups

Myanmar arrests and deports more than 40,000 Chinese nationals associated with unlawful online scam groups OpIndia

Thai victims rescued from scams in Myanmar amid regional crackdown

Thai victims rescued from scams in Myanmar amid regional crackdown CGTN

China cracks down on hundreds of millions of dollars of govt investment scams in 2023

China cracks down on hundreds of millions of dollars of govt investment scams in 2023 Firstpost

More than 40,000 Chinese involved in online scam operations deported from Myanmar

From Oct. 31 to Dec. 15, nearly 12,050 Chinese citizens linked to online scam groups in the region were arrested and deported, according to a mid-December announcement by the State Administration Council, the formal name of the military junta governing Myanmar. More than 40,000 Chinese nationals associated with unlawful online scam groups in Myanmar’s northern Shan state were arrested and deported during a three-month period from early September to mid-December, data from relevant groups indicate.

Economy

Junta imposes tighter deadline for repatriating export earnings

Junta imposes tighter deadline for repatriating export earnings myanmar-now

Myanmar Junta ‘Sweetens Deal’ For China in US$ 8 Billion SEZ And Port in Rakhine State

Business analysts say the concession contract was likely tweaked to offer better terms for China’s state-owned firm CITIC, which has a 70 percent stake in the massive project.

Myanmar Imposes Tax on Workers in Japan Amid Economic Struggles

Myanmar Imposes Tax on Workers in Japan Amid Economic Struggles BNN Breaking

Myanmar sets new timeframe for exporters to deposit earnings

Myanmar sets new timeframe for exporters to deposit earnings Bangkok Post

Domestic flights in Myanmar reduced as junta searches for jet fuel

The number of domestic commercial flights in Myanmar dropped by one-third in recent months after the military junta began seizing aircraft fuel from private airlines following stepped-up sanctions imposed by the United States, several ticketing agents told Radio Free Asia. Flights from several airlines that used to run regularly between the commercial capital of Yangon and Myitkyina in northern Kachin state have been significantly reduced, and airfares on the route have risen from 260,000 kyat (US$124) to 430,000 kyat (US$205) over the last year, the person said.

Ethnic Issues

Shan Forces Release POWs After Ceasefire

Two Shan armed groups have initiated the release of political prisoners following a peace agreement, marking a significant development after years of conflict in Shan State. In late November, the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) reached a nine-point consensus. Following this, RCSS/SSA’s Col […]

The post Shan Forces Release POWs After Ceasefire appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Rights Group Accuses Myanmar Rebel Outfit of Forced Recruitment

Rights Group Accuses Myanmar Rebel Outfit of Forced Recruitment The Diplomat

UWSA’s Potential as a Game Changer in Myanmar’s Revolutionary Conflict

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) has maintained a neutral position in the ongoing revolutionary conflict against the Myanmar military junta since its seizure of power through a coup d’état in February 2021. However, in a recent statement issued on the occasion of its 35th founding anniversary, the United Wa State Party (UWSP), the political […]

The post UWSA’s Potential as a Game Changer in Myanmar’s Revolutionary Conflict appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Foreign Affairs

China using Myanmar conflict to destroy scam networks

China using Myanmar conflict to destroy scam networks Bangkok Post

Thailand accused of ‘piggybacking’ Myanmar by leading talks with junta

Thailand accused of ‘piggybacking’ Myanmar by leading talks with junta South China Morning Post

Joe Biden's flawed policy on Myanmar

Joe Biden's flawed policy on Myanmar Bangkok Post

Can a US-China Détente Start with Tatmadaw De-Mobilization in Myanmar?

The two great powers have much to gain by giving up their Cold War rivalry and helping rebuild a stable post-junta country.

From Pariah to Co-Host: Myanmar Coup Leader Promotes Rule of Law at Mekong Forum

Min Aung Hlaing also stressed the importance of regional cooperation to combat drugs, trafficking and online scams at video-conference meeting he co-hosted with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

CHINA’S MEDIATION IN MYANMAR CONFLICT: Second meeting between the Three Brotherhood and military junta

According to BBC report Gen. Min Naing-led negotiation team is in Kunming, China to talk to the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), made up of Kokang or Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Arakan Army (AA), for the second time. However, only the first two groups will be of importance, […]

The post CHINA’S MEDIATION IN MYANMAR CONFLICT: Second meeting between the Three Brotherhood and military junta appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

General News

Starlink Over Bagan: How Sci-Fi Tech Could Redefine Myanmar's Reality

Starlink Over Bagan: How Sci-Fi Tech Could Redefine Myanmar's Reality TS2 Space Blog

Southeast Asia appears stuck in a history trap

Southeast Asia appears stuck in a history trap BenarNews

On Enemies Lists and Political Orthodoxies in Myanmar

A veteran scholar of Myanmar recalls the time he discovered he had been declared an ‘enemy’ of the ‘Burmese Revolution’.

Myanmar’s Civilian Govt Dissolves National Business Federation For Funding War Crimes

National Unity Government also accused the more than 100-year-old Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of funding regime’s war crimes and genocide.

Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM) Formally Established

Assuming the role of chairwoman for the council, Nan Paw Gay, the editor-in-chief of the Karen Information Center (KIC), emphasized that the formation of IPCM aims to promote media freedom in Myanmar, enhance security and protection for journalists, and effectively foster connections between regional and international news media. Nan Paw Gay explained that, “In the …

The post Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM) Formally Established appeared first on Karen News.

Military

Junta Watch: Embattled Dictator Blames British; Thanks Myanmar Air Force for Propping Up Army; and More

Junta Watch: Embattled Dictator Blames British; Thanks Myanmar Air Force for Propping Up Army; and More The Irrawaddy

Politics

The First Chin-Written Constitution: A New Template For Self-Determination?

The new Chinland charter authorizes a national flag and army, three branches of government and a council tasked with ensuring the transition to self-determination.

Sanctions

Anti-junta group: Myanmar receiving fuel shipments even with sanctions

Shipping companies continue to transport fuel to Myanmar despite recent sanctions from the United States targeting the military junta’s use of jet fuel, an anti-junta group said in a statement. The U.S. and British governments can tighten existing measures by imposing sanctions on companies involved in selling fuel to the junta, including any banks involved in the financial transactions, the NUCC said in the Dec. 16 statement released.