Current Events Related to Myanmar

Conflict

Myanmar Junta Troops Flee Town in Gold Hub After Failed Mission to Retake It

Despite sending in air support, the junta underestimated the strength of resistance forces in Sagaing Region’s Homalin Township, leaving its ground troops isolated and vulnerable to counterattacks.

Anti-junta forces claim to have downed 7 military aircraft since coup

Since Myanmar’s coup three years ago, anti-junta forces claim to have shot down at least seven military fighter jets and helicopters – three in January alone – a serious blow to the military increasingly relying on its advantage in the air against underequipped rebel groups making gains on the ground. The first time rebels say they shot down a junta aircraft was in May 2021, just months after the coup, when the KIA claimed responsibility for taking out an Mi-35 attack helicopter that crashed in Kachin state’s Momauk township.

Arakan Army captures two junta battalions in Rakhine state

The Arakan Army has captured two key military units in western Myanmar’s Rakhine state, giving it effective control of Minbya township and putting it in a position to challenge junta control of the state capital, according to an ethnic rebel alliance and sources in the region. On Tuesday morning, the Arakan Army, or AA, routed Light Infantry Battalions 379 and 541 – the two junta battalions that remained in Minbya after the ethnic rebels captured the 380th battalion on Jan. 28 – the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which the AA is a member, said in a statement.

Junta troops seize over 300 villagers in central Myanmar

After arriving in Na Nwin Taw Bo, soldiers arrested over 300 more villagers, who have not been released yet, Myingyan-based defense forces member Bo Moe Kyo told RFA on Wednesday. Troops shot 21-year-old Khin Soe Wai while she fled her village in Mandalay township, locals said.

Junta Airstrikes Hit Village on Karen Revolution Anniversary Day

One Karen villager told KIC,” The warplanes aimed at the vicinity of the Revolution Day ceremony, yet thankfully the event had already concluded before the attack ensuring no injuries occurred.” The KNU’s statement disclosed that airstrikes resulted in the destruction of a clinic, dining hall, and toilet in Kweelar village, along with damage to two …

The post Junta Airstrikes Hit Village on Karen Revolution Anniversary Day appeared first on Karen News.

Crime & Narcotics

Myanmar Hands Over Mob Bosses in Cyber-Fraud Bust

Myanmar Hands Over Mob Bosses in Cyber-Fraud Bust Dark Reading

Thai police arrest alleged smugglers transporting drugs from Myanmar

Thai police arrest alleged smugglers transporting drugs from Myanmar News-Press Now

Two Shan Groups Vow to Break Cybercrime Gangs

The rival Restoration Council of Shan State and Shan State Progress Party say they will not allow criminals fleeing northern Shan State to settle in their territory.

Five-Star Casino Resort on Myanmar Tropical Island Runs Out of Luck

U Kyaw Lwin ran his casino resort on the visa-free island for more than 10 years before facing arrest in Thailand for allegedly leading a crime gang involved in online gambling, tax fraud and smuggling.

Myanmar resistance army deports nearly 60 Chinese nationals

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which occupies Kokang region on the country’s border with China, deported 59 Chinese citizens between Sunday and Monday, the army’s information department said. An armed resistance group in northern Myanmar handed over nearly 60 Chinese nationals accused of online fraud and owning illegal weapons, according to the army’s statement on Monday night.

Ethnic Issues

PNLA Vows to Uprooting Military Dictatorship Efforts

The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) reiterated its unwavering commitment to continue collaborating with various ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) in their efforts to dismantle the military dictatorship. “We will collaborate with all EAOs to achieve our goals, moving forward with a shared commitment to procedures and policies”, a PNLA member told SHAN. Since the end […]

The post PNLA Vows to Uprooting Military Dictatorship Efforts appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

KNU President ‘s Message on Principles Behind the Setting up of Autonomous

The KNU’s Chairpersons affirmed that “Karen people must establish a Kawthoolei State, ensuring political safeguards for the development of social life free from oppression. He also expressed the commitment of KNU to build a federal democratic system, guaranteeing equal rights and self-determination.” Adjusting to changes in the political landscape Saw Kwe Htoo Win characterized the …

The post KNU President ‘s Message on Principles Behind the Setting up of Autonomous appeared first on Karen News.

Foreign Affairs

US lawmakers launch Myanmar caucus to boost support for pro-democracy fighters

US lawmakers launch Myanmar caucus to boost support for pro-democracy fighters South China Morning Post

Conflict in Myanmar: All eyes on China

Conflict in Myanmar: All eyes on China The Business Standard

Chinese Economic Attaché Lobbies Junta on Investment Projects

Chinese Economic Attaché Lobbies Junta on Investment Projects The Irrawaddy

National Emergency Continuation Declared for Burma Situation

National Emergency Continuation Declared for Burma Situation Mirage News

Behind the Ceasefire: Influence of China on Myanmar’s Political Dynamics

The impact of China’s participation in the Myanmar crisis cannot be ignored. With its recent intervention facilitating a ceasefire agreement between the military junta and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (3BHA), China has positioned itself as a pivotal player in the country’s political landscape. Initially, the military junta had outlined plans to establish an interim government […]

The post Behind the Ceasefire: Influence of China on Myanmar’s Political Dynamics appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Xi Jinping is playing deadly games with Myanmar and North Korea | Observer editorial

Instead of acting as a responsible superpower, China is putting millions of lives at risk in the region and beyond Military coups and dictatorships rarely come to any good. But has any army takeover in recent times led to more utterly disastrous consequences than those suffered by the people of Myanmar since February 2021? For sheer, vicious stupidity and criminality, Gen Min Aung Hlaing, the junta chief, and his bloodstained associates take some beating. Yet a beating is what they are getting at the hands of Myanmar’s civilian resistance groups, known as people’s defence forces, and ethnic minority armed groups long opposed to discriminatory Buddhist-majority regimes. A big offensive begun in October has overrun swathes of the country, forcing the surrender and mass desertion of junta troops. Continue reading...

General News

Myanmar Junta Shuts Down Another Publishing House And Its Printer

Regime media alleged that the publishing house broke the law but did not even name the book – “Mindset Revolution” – that triggered the revocation of Toemyit Publishing’s license.

Three arrested over anti-junta ‘silent strike’ in Mandalay

Sources told RFA Burmese that authorities in Mandalay arrested Kyaw Soe Oo, a 48-year-old English teacher, and two as-of-yet unidentified people who joined the silent strike or posted messages in support of the protest. After learning of his arrest, Kyaw Soe Oo’s family members went to the No. 6 Police Station in Mandalay’s Chan Aye Thar Zan township to see him, but were told that he was not there, according to the source.

Military

Setbacks raise question of whether Myanmar’s leader can maintain control

Recent battlefield setbacks and little apparent public support are raising the question of whether the leader of Myanmar’s junta can expect to maintain influence within the military and his hold over the country, several observers told Radio Free Asia this week. But just three years after Sen. General Min Aung Hlaing and the military took control of the government in February 2021, the junta continues to be faced with regular reports of military officers and soldiers who have either surrendered to rebel groups or voluntarily switched sides.

United Nations

Nine UN Security Council Members Call on Junta to End Attacks on Civilians

The nine countries, including the US, the UK and France, also demanded an end to attacks on civilian infrastructure and the release of all political prisoners.