Current Events Related to Myanmar

Introduction & Analysis

The following collection of open-source English-language news articles published during the past week covers significant events and issues related to Myanmar.

Conflict

Nay Pyi Taw Military Headquarters and Ayala Airport Attacked by Deadly Drones (BREAKING NEWS)

Mizzima). . People's Defense Forces (PDF) sources said that the military council headquarters in Nay Pyi Taw and Ayala Airport were simultaneously attacked by drones this morning (April 4).

Easter Massacre in Burma: Burma Army Airstrikes Kill 8 and Wound 18 in a Monastery

Easter Massacre in Burma: Burma Army Airstrikes Kill 8 and Wound 18 in a Monastery Karen State, Burma 31 March, 2024 **This report contains photos that may be disturbing to some viewers Dear friends, It was Easter morning here in … Continued

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

The Irrawaddy’s latest roundup includes incidents in Kachin and Karen states and Tanintharyi, Bago and Sagaing regions.

Myanmar Junta Loses Armory, Battalion Amid Escalating Attacks in Karen State

The Karen National Union and allies are strengthening their grip on the strategic town of Papun in the state’s northern tip, near its border with Thailand, Bago Region and Karenni State.

Fighting Erupts in Myanmar’s Northern Shan State Despite China-Brokered Ceasefire

Clash reportedly triggered after junta troops advanced into MNDAA territory near Lashio.

Magwe Resistance Traps Junta Resupply Vehicles

Myaing People's Defense Force says a 120-vehicle convoy is trapped while trying to resupply embattled Pauk Township troops.

Myanmar ethnic army sets eyes on ninth township in Rakhine state

On Wednesday evening, Arakan Army forces seized junta outpost camps in Ge Laung and Lone Kauk villages of Rakhine state’s Ann township, where the junta’s Western Regional Military Headquarters is located. A resident following the fighting told RFA the Arakan Army captured the outposts during a two-day offensive.

Bomb blast injures 5 teens collecting bottles for recycling in Yangon

A bomb blast in downtown Yangon on Wednesday evening injured five teenage boys who were collecting bottles for recycling, residents of Myanmar’s largest city who witnessed it said. The blast took place at around 8 pm at the Taw Win pedestrian overpass – known locally as Sule Bridge – on Sule Pagoda Road in the center of Yangon’s Kyauktada township, said the residents who, like others interviewed for this report, spoke to RFA Burmese on condition of anonymity due to security concerns.

In Battle of Kawtbein 23 Police Surrender to KNLA but Dhammatha Village Set Ablaze from Shells fired by Junta naval ship in Gyaing River

“The village was targeted and shelled by a military vessel in the Gyaing River, despite no fighting nearby. When artillery shells struck the village, fires began to ignite. Approximately three-quarters of the village has already been burned”, a Dhammatha villager told KIC. On March 24, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)-led resistance forces seized control …

The post In Battle of Kawtbein 23 Police Surrender to KNLA but Dhammatha Village Set Ablaze from Shells fired by Junta naval ship in Gyaing River appeared first on Karen News.

Conscription

Myanmar junta compiling lists for military service in Karen State

Myanmar junta compiling lists for military service in Karen State Mizzima

Myanmar junta recruits first draft of 260 men in Tanintharyi Region for military service

Myanmar junta recruits first draft of 260 men in Tanintharyi Region for military service Mizzima

Resistance Groups Step Up Assassinations of Junta Officials Involved in Conscription

Resistance Groups Step Up Assassinations of Junta Officials Involved in Conscription The Irrawaddy

Thousands flee Myanmar as backlash grows against conscription

Thousands flee Myanmar as backlash grows against conscription UCA News

Junta Sends Youths for Military Training in Pyin Oo Lwin

Youths from Nawngkio Township, whose names were randomly selected from a list of civilians for forced military conscription, were sent to the military training school in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region, which is about 35 miles from the township. Government officials, including village and ward administrators, selected them from a lottery of individuals between 18 […]

The post Junta Sends Youths for Military Training in Pyin Oo Lwin appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Resistance Forces Report Huge Influx of Youth who Fled Military Draft Causing Food Shortages

Amid the swift enforcement of the conscription law by the Junta, young individuals in Bago Region, unwilling to comply with the Junta’s military service, sought shelter with nearby resistance forces and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) under the Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG). Meanwhile, despite the surge in the number of …

The post Resistance Forces Report Huge Influx of Youth who Fled Military Draft Causing Food Shortages appeared first on Karen News.

Crime & Narcotics

Myanmar farmers turn to growing opium with no end in sight to coup chaos

Myanmar farmers turn to growing opium with no end in sight to coup chaos South China Morning Post

Over 800 suspected scammers arrested in Myanmar-China joint operation

More than 800 people suspected of online scams were detained in a joint police operation by Myanmar and China. The […]

Leaders of Chinese Cyber- Scam Central in Myanmar – Shwe Kokko Return to Business as Usual After Brief Lull Myawaddy

A recent resurgence of online scamming (Zhapian) activities has emerged following a lull in operations during a period of many cyber-scam operations in northern Shan State being terminated by the highly successful sweep of anti-junta 1027 offensive. China had exerted pressure to get a number of Chinese citizens operating cyber-scams to be detained by the …

The post Leaders of Chinese Cyber- Scam Central in Myanmar – Shwe Kokko Return to Business as Usual After Brief Lull Myawaddy appeared first on Karen News.

Myanmar junta detains deputy defence minister over alleged ties to online scam industry

The arrest of Gen Aung Lin Tun was allegedly carried out at the request of the Chinese authorities, making him the highest ranking member of the military council to be investigated on the issue. In the past, the junta has handed over ethnic Kokang militia leaders and pro-military political party officers to China after they were said to have been identified as facilitating the massive internet fraud industry in the Kokang region of northern Shan State.

Contracts Reveal KNU Involvement in Notorious Myanmar Scam Center

In the second of a two-part series on KK Park, a cyber-crime hub in Karen State’s Myawaddy on the border with Thailand, The Irrawaddy examines documentary evidence linking the leadership of the Karen National Union to the project, and looks at the Chinese crime syndicates it has teamed up with to operate the criminal enterprise.

Economy

MIC approves 6 new projects: EV assembly, power generation included

Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) permitted six new investment projects during the 4/2024 meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. State […]

Fleeing war and hardship, Myanmar youth seek jobs in South Korea

In a written statement to RFA, a ministry spokesperson said local governments in South Korea and their foreign counterparts have the authority to sign memorandums of understanding regarding seasonal workers. But the South Korean Embassy in Myanmar issued a statement to dismiss the reports, saying the government had not announced any guidelines or jobs related to seasonal workers.

Education

Private schools with no registration to be closed

According to the Ministry of Education, action will be taken against private schools that do not register to be closed. […]

Ethnic Issues

As war escalates in northern Rakhine, Rohingya have no allies

Both townships have significant Rohingya populations, despite years of intensifying military pogroms aimed at forcing the community out of. Rakhine State’s remaining Rohingya population—denied citizenship and freedom of movement—is increasingly trapped in a war between the Myanmar army and the Arakan Army (AA), members of the community have warned.

Fighting Flares Up Between SSPP/SSA and MNDAA in Hsenwi Township

On Tuesday, both the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) apprehended members from each side as fighting erupted in Hsenwi Township, northern Shan State. The MNDAA, also known as the Kokang army, used drones and missiles to bomb the SSPP/SSA. Fighting also occurred in the Nam […]

The post Fighting Flares Up Between SSPP/SSA and MNDAA in Hsenwi Township appeared first on Shan Herald Agency for News.

Ethnic army seizes major trade route on Myanmar-Chinese border

One resident told RFA that the junta retaliated with air strikes after Yaw Yung Artillery and Hpaleng Hill camps were captured Thursday. The KIA and joint guerilla armies have captured over 40 junta camps in Momauk and Waingmaw townships near the KIA’s headquarters in Lai Zar city in Kachin state as of Thursday.

Foreign Affairs

Russia to Shower More Support on Generals During Myanmar New Year

As ties deepen between the global pariahs, Russia’s diplomats in Myanmar say they will join the celebration of Thingyan in Naypyitaw with their first water-spraying station.

Why China’s Self-Interested Strategy for Myanmar is Doomed to Fail

Beijing’s attempt to secure ceasefires in Rakhine and northern Shan to protect its investments will only intensify anti-China sentiment across the whole country.

Myanmar junta hosts China’s envoy for border issue talks

A former military officer who did not want to be named for security reasons said re-opening these gates in northern Shan state is vitally important to both the junta and China, as is preventing the Kachin Independence Army from getting closer with the U.S. However, political commentator Than Soe Naing told RFA it would be difficult for Deng Xijun and junta forces in Naypyidaw to attempt to end the conflict in Kachin state.

Foreign Peacemakers Are Back, But the Last Thing Myanmar Needs is More ‘White Messiahs’

New wave of Western peace-making must learn from decade of arrogance and neocolonial attitudes that only brought failure.

Russia, Myanmar plan over 50 joint military activities

Russia, Myanmar plan over 50 joint military activities The Week

Chinese Ambassador Meets Myanmar Junta Officials as Clashes Resume in Shan

Chen Hai met the junta’s peace envoy and foreign minister to discuss a China-brokered ceasefire as well as the business environment in Myanmar, the embassy said.