Issue 84 January 25th 2024

ASEAN

ASEAN Should Back a New Myanmar

Recent developments in Myanmar make it vital to heed the voices of those who have been laying the groundwork for a new and inclusive federal democracy in the country.

Conflict

KIA and Allies Launch Offensive Against Regime Forces in Northern Shan State

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and other resistance groups have captured several State Administration Council (SAC) positions in northern Shan State. Over the weekend, the KIA and others gained control over Ma Peng after attacking the police station, a military outpost, and an SAC camp. Col Naw Bu, the spokesperson for the KIA and its […]

The post KIA and Allies Launch Offensive Against Regime Forces in Northern Shan State appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Churches, temples and monasteries regularly hit by airstrikes in Myanmar, activists say

Churches, temples and monasteries regularly hit by airstrikes in Myanmar, activists say Sight Magazine

Firefight Erupts as Myanmar Junta Troops Halt PNLO Arms Convoy in Shan State

The PNLO burned the weapons rather than hand them over. The group’s leader said the incident would not affect his support for the junta’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement.

Myanmar Junta Troops Escape to China After KIA Attack

The Kachin Independence Army says it seized around 30 regime soldiers in Mansi Township along the Chinese border.

Nearly 40 Myanmar civilians dead after four-day clash

The military retaliated with heavy arms and indiscriminate airstrikes, burning Mongmit market and causing high civilian casualties, locals said. Intense battles between junta troops, the Kachin Independence Army and joint People’s Defense Forces have killed 40 civilians, locals told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.

Military clashes with ethnic cease-fire signatory in Myanmar’s Shan state

Khun Okka said the incident would have no impact on the PNLO’s support for the nationwide cease-fire agreement, or NCA, which it signed along with seven other armed ethnic groups and the national military in 2015. The incident was sparked when the military carried out an inspection of five Pa-O National Liberation Organization, or PNLO, vehicles laden with arms and ammunition as they entered Ho Pong township’s Sam Hpu village, PNLO Patron Col. Khun Okka told RFA Burmese.

Battle For Myanmar’s Rakhine State Set to Escalate, Brotherhood Alliance Says

Alliance member the Arakan Army has intensified fighting in six northern townships and is targeting towns, while the junta is sending in reinforcements and military supplies by sea.

Myanmar Junta Loses Town, Dozens of Troops in Three Days of Resistance Attacks

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

‘We killed many … drones are our air force’: Myanmar’s rebels take on the junta from above

A rebel drone squadron drawn from engineering students and hobbyists, who gain battlefield training partly through YouTube tutorials, is proving decisive in the struggle against Myanmar’s brutal military government As the drones flew silently over western Myanmar’s Chin hills, the junta did not know what was about to hit them. Their operators were hidden a few hundred metres away in the dense forest. As the images on their screens indicated the drone fleet was hovering exactly above the target – a key military base in the town of Lailenpi – they hit the button on their controllers and bombs began to fall. “We had precise hits,” said Noah, 20, one of the specialist drone fighters in the Chin National Army (CNA), one of the ethnic rebel groups who have been fighting Myanmar’s military for almost three years. “It took them by surprise. We killed many, including the second-in-command of the base.” Continue reading...

Three Brotherhood Alliance Claims Junta Violated Cease-fire Agreement — ‘Operation 1027’ Continues It Course to End the Dictatorship

However, the mediation of China, persuaded the two parties to meet in Kunming on January 10th and 11th, reaching a second agreement for a temporary ceasefire. The Three Brotherhood Alliance issued this statement in response to the Military Council’s violation of the agreement. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a member of the Alliance, reported …

The post Three Brotherhood Alliance Claims Junta Violated Cease-fire Agreement — ‘Operation 1027’ Continues It Course to End the Dictatorship appeared first on Karen News.

Crime & Narcotics

Rampant Chinese Telecom Scams Still Expanding Operations in Myawaddy Thai -Myanmar border Karen State

Rampant Chinese Telecom Scams Still Expanding Operations in Myawaddy Thai -Myanmar border Karen State Burma News International

Female inmates in Myanmar routinely sexually abused

Such searches of female inmates is a human rights violation, Thike Tun Oo, spokesperson for the Political Prisoners Network in Myanmar, told RFA. “The prison manual stipulates that you have no right to search female political prisoners’ private parts without their consent,” he said.

Ethnic Issues

Anti-junta group moves quickly to take over administration of captured towns in northern Shan State

Anti-junta group moves quickly to take over administration of captured towns in northern Shan State myanmar-now

Myanmar’s Wa Rebels Launch Administration in Town Seized by Brotherhood Alliance

United Wa State Party takes over governance of Hopang following junta defeats in northern Shan State.

TNLA Asks SSPP to Stop Recruitment and Taxation

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army has asked the Shan State Progress Party to stop forcing civilians to join armed militias in liberated Namkham Township.

Myanmar's Ethnic Armed Groups

Myanmar's Ethnic Armed Groups Barron's

MNDAA Declares All Junta’s Administrative Orders Cancelled and Annulled in the newly-restored Kokang Self-administered Zone

The Kokang armed ethnic organization, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has declared the cancellation of all administrative orders issued by the coup State Administration Military Council (SAC) in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, Shan State. Two weeks after the commencement of ‘Operation 1027’ by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which MNDAA is a member […]

The post MNDAA Declares All Junta’s Administrative Orders Cancelled and Annulled in the newly-restored Kokang Self-administered Zone appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

General News

Could Myanmar Come Apart?

Could Myanmar Come Apart? Foreign Affairs Magazine

Elderly monk dies two months after he was tortured by Myanmar’s junta

The Venerable Vayama, 70, who was the head of the monastery in Htan Pin Kone village in the central Mandalay region’s Madaya township and the secretary of the township Sangha council, passed away last Thursday in a hospital where he was being treated for his wounds. The resident said that when the villagers found his body they took him to Mandalay Hospital.

Sean Turnell spent 650 days in a Myanmar jail. His humour survived

Sean Turnell spent 650 days in a Myanmar jail. His humour survived Sydney Morning Herald

Myanmar Named Second-Biggest Jailer of Journalists

The Committee to Protect Journalists says Myanmar has one fewer media employee in custody than China, which has 25 times the population.

Rangers Brave Burma Army Bombs and Bullets to Bring Life Saving Care: Video and Compilation Report

Rangers Brave Burma Army Bombs and Bullets to Bring Life Saving Care: Video and Compilation Report 22 January 2024 Northern Karen State, Burma “Be strong, be strong buddy, we are with you. We Rangers are with you!” A Ranger reassured … Continued

Humanitarian

Thai diplomat announces Thailand-Myanmar humanitarian initiative on border

Thai diplomat announces Thailand-Myanmar humanitarian initiative on border myanmar-now

Military

Skidding Off Fallout: Myanmar may be forced to ground Chinese aircraft

Skidding Off Fallout: Myanmar may be forced to ground Chinese aircraft The Economic Times

Executing Myanmar Junta Generals Will Backfire: Defector

The death sentences handed to three brigadier generals who surrendered in northern Shan State will encourage others to switch sides, according to an ex-officer.

Militia Recruitment Drives the Displacement of Locals Fleeing to Escape Conscription in Kyauktaga

Under the pretext of mandatory service for regional peace, local administrators compel men aged 18 to 60 to draw lots, with the unfortunate winners being recruited into the militia against their will, as explained by the locals. Residents who were chosen to join the militia but resisted doing so, were coerced into paying MMK 500,000 …

The post Militia Recruitment Drives the Displacement of Locals Fleeing to Escape Conscription in Kyauktaga appeared first on Karen News.

Opinion: Myanmar's military junta is losing power, but the fight isn't over

Opinion: Myanmar's military junta is losing power, but the fight isn't over The Globe and Mail

Myanmar Junta Generals Replaced After Kokang Defeat

At least five of the six brigadier generals who surrendered to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army in Laukkai have been replaced by colonels.

Will the Myanmar Junta Boss Step Down? All Sides Now Want Him Gone

With even regime supporters calling for Min Aung Hlaing’s resignation, and the SAC’s six-month legal extension set to expire, several scenarios have been raised.

Politics

Russian Roundtable on Global Justice Includes Insights From Myanmar Junta Political Party Chair

Union Solidarity and Development Party chair Khin Yi called for like-minded countries to team up to forge a multipolar, global system at a virtual global justice forum organized by United Russia.

Myanmar Junta Boss Steps Up Election Talk as Military Defeats Mount

After losing control of so much territory, however, it remains to be seen how his regime would be able to hold such a poll.