May 2021 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Rohingya Protest as UN Officials Visit Bangladesh Refugee Island Radio Free Asia 31 May 2021 -- A protest by hundreds of Rohingya turned violent on Monday as senior U.N. officials visited a remote and low-lying island where Bangladesh is housing more than 18,000 of the stateless refugees from Myanmar, police said.
Myanmar's Economic Meltdown Likely to Push Opium Output Up, Says UN VOA 31 May 2021 -- The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime is warning that opium production in Myanmar may rise again if the economic crunch brought on by COVID-19 and a February 1 coup persists, with fallout for much of the region.
Myanmar's underground government parades new armed force Press TV 29 May 2021 -- The underground government set up by opponents of Myanmar's military junta says its first group of recruits has completed training for a new defense force, releasing a video footage of them marching in uniform.
Hundreds of Political Prisoners Held in Notorious Yangon Jail, Those Released Say VOA 29 May 2021 -- Myanmar's military coup that took place nearly four months ago has sparked outrage nationwide, with thousands of pro-democracy protesters taking to the streets and going on strike in resistance.
Some 120 Celebrities Arrested, in Hiding Face Charges of 'Defamation' Against Military Junta Radio Free Asia 28 May 2021 -- Nearly 20 celebrities have been arrested and more than 100 are in hiding after taking part in anti-coup protests against Myanmar's military junta, which seized power from the country's democratically elected government on Feb. 1, according to family members and lawyers.
Myanmar's Youth Lose Their Dreams for the Future Amid Junta Crackdowns Radio Free Asia 28 May 2021 -- Myanmar's youth are being forced to give up their dreams of careers and a productive future as they resist an assault by the military on their country's democracy and crackdowns on protests that have crippled thousands of civilians and killed hundreds, sources say.
Bangladesh Trashes Report Alleging Rohingya Were Promised Citizenship to Move to Island Radio Free Asia 28 May 2021 -- A new report by an international NGO alleges that Dhaka has falsely promised Bangladeshi citizenship to Rohingya refugees who move to Bhashan Char, a remote and flood-prone island in the Bay of Bengal, a claim that the government on Thursday rejected as untrue.
Pro-Democracy Brother of Myanmar Junta's Deputy Home Affairs Minister Dies in Military Custody Radio Free Asia 27 May 2021 -- The pro-democracy activist brother of a high-ranking official in Myanmar's military junta died under suspicious circumstances while in custody of the junta's security forces this week, their family told RFA.
ASEAN Lobbying to Remove Arms Embargo Call from UN Resolution on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 27 May 2021 -- ASEAN wants the United Nations to drop a call to suspend arms sales to the Myanmar military, which has killed hundreds of civilians since mounting a coup in February, a European diplomat told BenarNews on Thursday.
Junta Snipers Kill Three People in Myanmar's Kayah State Radio Free Asia 26 May 2021 -- Military snipers in Myanmar's eastern Kayah state shot and killed three people and wounded another Wednesday as the junta attacked the state's recently formed militia and retook police strongholds in Loikaw district in the state's northwest.
Myanmar Hit by More Than 300 Bombing Attacks in Since Feb. 1 Coup Radio Free Asia 26 May 2021 -- Four months after the Feb. 1 military takeover, cities across Myanmar have been rocked with more than 300 bomb blasts, and the ruling junta and its opponents are trading blame over the explosions and the rising death toll, sources in the country say.
UN General Assembly President: World Has 'Not Forgotten Rohingya' Radio Free Asia 26 May 2021 -- The world has not forgotten the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya sheltering in Bangladesh after fleeing "unimaginable horrors" in Myanmar, the president of the U.N. General Assembly said Wednesday as he visited refugee camps in the South Asian country.
Five Military Troops, Two Militia Members Killed in Latest Clashes in Myanmar's Kayah State Radio Free Asia 25 May 2021 -- At least five military troops and two members of a local militia were killed during intense fighting in Myanmar's Kayah state on Tuesday that destroyed a government tank, left residents critically injured, and added to tens of thousands of people displaced by violence since the weekend.
Myanmar's Students Stay Home Despite Junta Orders to Enroll Ahead of New School Year Radio Free Asia 25 May 2021 -- Myanmar's students are largely ignoring orders from the military junta to enroll for the new school year, with only about 10 percent signing up in some places and just a week remaining before classes begin, sources in Myanmar told RFA.
HRW, NGOs Call on Thai Firm to Back Off on Myanmar Oil Deals Radio Free Asia 25 May 2021 -- Human Rights Watch on Tuesday joined a chorus of NGOs calling for Thailand's state-owned oil and gas firm to not expand business ties with Myanmar's junta while the Burmese military carries on with a bloody post-coup crackdown on protesters.
Bangladesh Relying on World Community to Press Myanmar Junta on Rohingya Repatriation Radio Free Asia 25 May 2021 -- Bangladesh is counting on the international community to pressure Myanmar into repatriating more than 1 million Rohingya refugees, after the Burmese junta chief said that Naypyidaw does not recognize them as citizens, a senior lawmaker told BenarNews, an RFA-affiliated online news service, on Tuesday.
Biden Administration Moves to Protect Myanmar Nationals Residing in US VOA 25 May 2021 -- Nearly four months after a coup in Myanmar triggered a prolonged period of violence and upheaval in the country, the Biden administration has designated Myanmar nationals for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing many in the U.S. to be shielded from deportation and obtain work permits.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Appears in Court for the First Time Since Coup Radio Free Asia 24 May 2021 -- Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi Monday appeared in court for the first time since the military took control of the country Feb. 1, saying she had been cut off from contact from the outside world and didn't know what happened in the past nearly four months, her lawyers told RFA.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi Makes First Personal Court Appearance Since Coup VOA 24 May 2021 -- Aung San Suu Kyi made her first in-person court appearance Monday since she was deposed as Myanmar's de facto leader in the February 1 military takeover.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi appears in court for first time since February coup Press TV 24 May 2021 -- Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi has for the first time appeared in person at a court hearing on a myriad of charges brought against her by the military junta, which overthrew her government in a February coup.
Rights Groups: A Month After Consensus, ASEAN 'Doing Nothing' on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 24 May 2021 -- ASEAN's failure to take any follow-up action on Myanmar, a full month after the regional bloc unveiled a diplomatic roadmap to address the military coup there, is eating up precious time and costing lives, rights groups and analysts said.
Anti-coup fighters seize police post, kill over dozen security forces in Myanmar Press TV 23 May 2021 -- In the latest flare-up of violence since the Myanmar junta seized power in a coup on February 1, anti-coup fighters from armed ethnic groups claimed to have killed more than a dozen members of the security forces in an eastern town in the Southeast Asian country.
Gunfire erupts between Myanmar junta, ethnic armed groups in border town Press TV 23 May 2021 -- Myanmar's military forces have engaged in a gun battle with armed ethnic groups at a border town amid continued opposition to the junta's coup.
Fighters of Chin State Are No Strangers to Hardship, Repression in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 23 May 2021 -- In Myanmar -- where opposition to the military junta that overthrew the elected government has raged from the Himalayan foothills to the tropical Andaman Sea coast – people in the poor landlocked state of Chin stand out for the fierceness of their fight against regime troops.
Fighters attack jade mining town as Myanmar sleepwalks into civil war Press TV 22 May 2021 -- Fighters affiliated with one of Myanmar's key ethnic groups resisting the military coup in the East Asian nation have attacked army posts at the northwestern jade mining town of Hkamti, marking a major advance into new territory.
Myanmar Junta Says Deposed Leader to Appear in Court VOA 22 May 2021 -- The head of Myanmar's military government said Saturday that ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi is in good health and would appear in court in coming days.
Myanmar's junta dissolves ousted leader Suu Kyi's party Press TV 21 May 2021 -- Myanmar's junta has ordered the dissolution of the political party of ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi, labeling her and fellow party members "traitors."
Myanmar Junta-Appointed Election Body to Dissolve Aung San Suu Kyi's Party, Reports Say Sputnik 21 May 2021 -- Myanmar's Union Election Commission (UEC) plans to dissolve the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, for alleged vote fraud during the elections in November 2020, opposition news portal Myanmar Now reported on Friday.
New Clashes Between Myanmar's Military and Ethnic Armies Exacerbates Refugee Crisis Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- At least 10 military junta troops were killed and around 20 critically wounded in five clashes over the last two days in Myanmar's Chin state, militia groups said Thursday, while tens of thousands of civilians have fled and are living in dire conditions as fighting has intensified in the region.
Few Serious Takers for Myanmar Junta's Election Commission Meeting Radio Free Asia 20 May 2021 -- Deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi's party and other groups in Myanmar's pro-democracy camp are shunning a meeting on Friday of an election commission set up by the military junta that overthrew the government, with one party condemning the army regime for having "rejected the democratic path chosen by the people."
Myanmar: Rights expert welcomes fresh sanctions against junta, urges other nations 'step up' UN News 20 May 2021 -- The announcement this week of new coordinated sanctions against Myanmar's military rulers by a handful of Western governments has been welcomed by the UN independent expert monitoring the human rights situation in the country.
Intensified fighting in Myanmar forces more people from homes Press TV 19 May 2021 -- People displaced by a surge of fighting between Myanmar's military and anti-coup fighters in the northwestern state of Chin are concerned about shelter and supplies amid growing fears of a civil war.
People in Myanmar border town flee to hills as military steps up attacks Press TV 18 May 2021 -- The residents of a town in northwestern Myanmar have been hiding in jungles, remote villages, and valleys as the military advances into the town after days of fierce battles with local fighters.
Thousands of Chin Civilians Flee Besieged Town After Myanmar Attacks Radio Free Asia 18 May 2021 -- Thousands of Chin civilians have fled into the jungles of western Myanmar to evade airstrikes by the junta, while a rebel army in the country's northeast near China attacked army tankers carrying jet fuel in a bid to thwart more aerial assaults, sources in the border regions said Tuesday.
UN Refugee Agency Raises $340M to Assist Rohingya in Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 18 May 2021 -- International donors have pledged U.S. $340 million of nearly $1 billion being sought by the United Nations refugee agency this year to support Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the UNHCR chief said on Tuesday.
The United States Announces New Assistance to Respond to the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis US Dept. of State 18 May 2021 -- At the launch of the 2021 Joint Response Plan for the Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis, the United States announced nearly $155 million in new assistance to sustain critical efforts to support Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh and internally displaced Rohingya and other affected people in Burma.
US Announces Increase in Aid to Rohingya VOA 18 May 2021 -- The United States says it is providing new assistance to Myanmar's Rohingya Muslim minority, many of whom have fled violence for neighboring Bangladesh or have been internally displaced.
UK Statement: Launch of Rohingya Joint Response Plan in Bangladesh UK FCDO 18 May 2021 -- The UK's Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, delivered this statement during the launch of the Rohingya Joint Response Plan in Bangladesh on 18 May 2021.
UN launches response plan to 'safeguard the well-being and dignity' of Rohingya in Bangladesh UN News 18 May 2021 -- Under the leadership of the Government of Bangladesh, the Organization for Migration (IOM) and UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) launched a $943 million plan on Tuesday to "safeguard the well-being and dignity" of Rohingya refugees in the country and their host communities.
Calls for Solutions Grow at UN Pledging Conference for Rohingya Refugees VOA 18 May 2021 -- At the launch of this year's Rohingya refugee donor's conference, Bangladesh led a chorus of growing voices calling for durable solutions to resolve the ongoing crisis.
Fighting in Myanmar's Kachin State Drives More Refugees Into Camps, With Food Aid Blocked by Government Troops Radio Free Asia 17 May 2021 -- More than 3,000 refugees have fled their villages in northern Myanmar to escape fighting between junta military forces and the ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA) during the last three months, filling refugee camps in Kachin state's five townships, sources in the region say.
US Sanctions Myanmar Junta Figures as Chin Fighters Claim 6 Army Troop Kills Radio Free Asia 17 May 2021 -- The United States imposed sanctions on Myanmar's junta and 13 military regime figures on Monday, specifically citing the "violence and repression" against civilians in the western town of Mindat, where the army unleashed heavy artillery and helicopter gunships in a weekend fight against ethnic Chin militia fighters.
US Announces More Sanctions on Myanmar Junta VOA 17 May 2021 -- The United States has sanctioned more members and associates of the Myanmar military junta for their alleged role in violence against protesters demonstrating against the country's February 1 military coup.
Designating One Entity and 16 Individuals Connected to Burma's Military Regime US Dept. of State 17 May 2021 -- Today, the United States is announcing new sanctions against Burma's military regime in response to its continued violence and repression against the people of Burma, most recently in Mindat, Chin State, and its failure to take any steps to restore Burma's democratic transition.
Treasury Sanctions Governing Body, Officials, and Family Members Connected to Burma's Military US Treasury 17 May 2021 -- Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated 16 individuals and one entity connected to Burma's military regime.
US, Canada Impose New Myanmar-Related Sanctions Sputnik 17 May 2021 -- The United States has imposed sanctions on 19 individuals and two entities from Myanmar, the Treasury Department announced Monday.
UK announces sanctions on gemstone company linked to the military regime in Myanmar UK FCDO 17 May 2021 -- Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab announces sanctions on Myanmar Gems Enterprise (MGE), a state-owned enterprise under the military junta's control.
Myanmar Junta Targets Civilians in Siege of Chin Town Where Militia Fought Back Radio Free Asia 16 May 2021 -- Junta troops pounded a town in the mountains of western Myanmar's Chin state with heavy artillery and helicopter gunships on Sunday, killing at last five civilians in a campaign to subdue a local ethnic militia that had resisted the army with crude hunting guns, a local rights group and a media outlet said.
US, Britain Express Concern Over Continued Fighting in Myanmar VOA 16 May 2021 -- Members of a militia opposed to the coup by the Myanmar military on Sunday pulled back into the jungle of western Myanmar following days of fighting with the army, as the United States and Britain condemned military violence against civilians.
Six anti-coup armed fighters killed in Myanmar clashes Press TV 16 May 2021 -- At least six armed fighters have been killed after days of clashes with the military in northwestern Myanmar amid anti-coup protests that have sparked fears of a civil war in the Southeast Asian country.
Myanmar junta pounds town with airstrikes, artillery to crush anti-coup fighters Press TV 16 May 2021 -- Myanmar's military has launched a battle against anti-coup armed fighters in the country's northwest as part of attempts to quell widespread protests that erupted after the junta seized power in February.
UN Seeks International Support for Rohingya Refugee Crisis VOA 14 May 2021 -- The U.N. refugee agency is seeking $943 million to provide life-saving assistance for more than 880,000 Rohingya refugees and 472,000 Bangladeshis in the communities hosting them. Most of the refugees, some 740,000, fled violence and persecution in Myanmar in 2017.
UN Envoy Meets Thai PM, Asks for Help in Ending Myanmar Crisis Radio Free Asia 14 May 2021 -- The U.N.'s special envoy on Myanmar met behind closed doors with Thailand's leader Friday, trying to find solutions to the Burmese crisis, as ASEAN dithered on naming its emissary to the coup-ridden country, which has already blocked the proposed visit.
Interview: Every Soldier 'Knows What They Are Doing is Wrong' Radio Free Asia 14 May 2021 -- Myo Min Tun and Phyo Wai Oo, both privates in Myanmar's army, met while in the same basic training unit five years ago. The two ethnic Shan soldiers were then assigned to the Special Construction Operations Command Headquarters in the capital Naypyidaw and became close friends.
Displaced Women, Children Face 'Humanitarian Crisis' Following Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- More than 100 days after Myanmar's military took power from the country's democratically elected government, fighting between troops and ethnic insurgents has left tens of thousands of displaced women and children facing a humanitarian crisis, groups monitoring the situation said Thursday.
Humanitarian Groups in Myanmar Forced to Go Underground Amid Military Crackdown on Charity Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- Humanitarian groups operating in Myanmar have been forced to go underground in the face of restrictions by the military junta that took power on Feb. 1, members of the groups told RFA.
Youths Bear Brunt of Junta Attacks on Myanmar Resistance Strongholds Radio Free Asia 13 May 2021 -- A technical college student and a 17-year-old were killed and other youths were arrested when army troops attacked pockets of resistance to military junta across central and western Myanmar, local residents and media said Thursday.
Myanmar: UN rights experts urge business 'to take a stand' against military junta UN News 12 May 2021 -- United Nations independent rights experts on Wednesday urged businesses in Myanmar to uphold their human rights responsibilities and apply pressure on the military junta to halt grave human rights violations against its own people.
UN Calls for More International Pressure Against Myanmar Junta VOA 12 May 2021 -- The U.N. human rights office is calling for more international pressure against Myanmar's military junta, which it says has continued a brutal crackdown on opponents despite a recent agreement to halt violence and begin dialogue.
Myanmar's junta arrests dozens over alleged arson, bombings Press TV 12 May 2021 -- Security forces in Myanmar have arrested dozens of people, accusing them of masterminding arson attacks and explosions, amid anti-coup protests that have sparked fears of a civil war in the country.
Myanmar Banking System 'Near Collapse' as Customers Make Fewer Deposits, More Withdrawals Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Myanmar's banking system has nearly collapsed following the Feb. 1 military coup, with the country's Central Bank and private banks seeing fewer deposits made and more money being taken out in withdrawals, sources in the country say.
Interview: 'It's Like We Are Serving Them, Not the Country' Radio Free Asia 12 May 2021 -- Capt. Aung Sin Phyo had been a loyal soldier in the Tatmadaw, Myanmar's military, stationed in Tarlay, a town in eastern Shan state near the borders with Laos and Thailand. When the military ousted the country's democratically elected government on Feb. 1, Aung Sin Phyo saw it as a power grab by the Tatmadaw's leaders. After seeing news reports of violent suppression of anti-coup protests, he decided he would defect.
Protests, Armed Clashes Highlight Tensions on 100th Day Since Myanmar Coup Radio Free Asia 11 May 2021 -- Hundreds of protesters hit the streets of Myanmar's largest city on Tuesday, the 100th day after the military seized power, flashing the three-finger salute of anti-junta defiance, while some analysts said the Southeast Asia nation was at risk of civil war or becoming a failed state.
Myanmar coup: 'No sign' of end to brutal crackdown on all fronts UN News 11 May 2021 -- One hundred days since the Myanmar military seized power, the "brutal" repression of protesters has continued, despite all international efforts to end the violence, the UN rights office (OHCHR) said on Tuesday.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to Make First In-Person Court Appearance on May 24 Radio Free Asia 10 May 2021 -- Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to make her first in-person appearance in a special courtroom in the capital Naypyidaw on May 24, her chief lawyer Khin Maung Zaw told RFA on Monday.
Aung San Suu Kyi to Appear in Court Later This Month, Lawyer Says VOA 10 May 2021 -- Deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi will appear in court on May 24, her lawyer said.
Myanmar junta suspends thousands of academics, targeting country's education sector Press TV 10 May 2021 -- Thousands of academics opposed to Myanmar's ruling junta have been suspended after going on strike in protest over the Feb. 1 coup, a teacher association says.
Hunger Stalks Many in Myanmar After Double Whammy of Coup And COVID-19 Radio Free Asia 10 May 2021 -- After a yearlong shutdown of most economic activity to fight the coronavirus, many citizens of Myanmar are now threatened with grave food shortages 100 days after a military coup added political turmoil and military violence to their already difficult lives, U.N. agencies and activists say.
Give Us a Better Future and Better Lives' Radio Free Asia 10 May 2021 -- An education plan will soon be released to prevent students from losing their rights to public education, says Sai Khaing Myo Tun, Deputy Minister of Education of Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG), a shadow government set up to counter the military regime that seized power Feb. 1. On May 9, RFA Myanmar Service's Khin Khin Ei interviewed Sai Khaing Myo Tun about how Myanmar's ruling State Administration Council, the junta's formal name, is suspending teachers involved in the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), and what the NUG is planning now for Myanmar's education sector.
COVID-19 infections rise to 142,947 in Myanmar People's Daily 09 May 2021 -- The number of COVID-19 infections has risen to 142,947 in Myanmar after 13 new positive cases were reported in the past 24 hours, according to a release from the Health and Sports Ministry on Saturday.
Myanmar junta designates national unity government as 'terrorist' group Press TV 09 May 2021 -- Myanmar coup leaders have labeled a national unity government -- formed by ousted lawmakers and politicians -- a "terrorist" group, accusing it of masterminding a series of bombing and arson attacks in the country.
Myanmar's Junta Cool on Commitment to ASEAN's Plan for Stabilizing Country VOA 09 May 2021 -- The Myanmar junta's equivocal reaction to a plan it agreed to with its regional neighbors for pulling the country back from the brink of collapse is raising doubts about the junta's commitment to follow through anytime soon.
Forty Myanmar Junta Troop Deaths Reported After Clashes with Rebel Army and Local Militia Radio Free Asia 08 May 2021 -- A rebel army and a local militia have killed 40 Myanmar junta soldiers in two days of fighting this week in regions near the country's northern and western borders, witnesses reported, in what would be the largest number of casualties inflicted on security forces since the Feb. 1 military coup.
Students Ignore Myanmar Junta's Order to Return to Campus Amid Turmoil Radio Free Asia 07 May 2021 -- Most students across Myanmar have ignored the ruling military junta's order to reopen colleges, universities, and government-run technical schools, with only a small percentage showing up on campuses after the reopenings, students said Friday.
No Love for Myanmar Junta Leader Min Aung Hlaing in His Hometown Radio Free Asia 07 May 2021 -- Residents of Dawei, the hometown of Myanmar junta leader Sr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, are ashamed of their native son for a coup that has led to hundreds of civilian deaths and thrown the country into chaos, sources in the southern port city told RFA.
Myanmar's Military Junta Kills, Detains Youths in Crackdown on Protest Movement Radio Free Asia 07 May 2021 -- Myanmar security authorities are targeting the country's youth in a crackdown on opponents of the Feb. 1 coup that has seen hundreds of young people detained and others killed or forcibly disappeared, rights groups and a U.N. agency say.
'No time to lose', stop flow of deadly weapons to Myanmar military now, urges UN rights expert UN News 07 May 2021 -- The United Nations independent human rights expert on Myanmar on Friday called on countries that have not yet done so, to impose arms embargo on the country urgently, to stop the "massacre" of citizens across the country.
No Holds Barred: Myanmar Junta Grabs Family Members to Get at Wanted Protesters Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- Facing unrelenting popular resistance to military rule three months after they ousted the elected government , Myanmar's junta has increasingly turned to hostage taking – grabbing family members to force wanted opponents to surrender, legal experts and rights activists said Thursday.
Interview: 'Forces Who Believe in Justice and Righteousness Are Now Shaping The Destiny of This Country' Radio Free Asia 06 May 2021 -- Myanmar's shadow government of ousted former lawmakers created a People's Defense Force (PDF) on Wednesday to prevent killings and other violent acts against the people by the military junta that seized power from the elected government on Feb. 1. The National Unity Government (NUG), as the parallel body is known, said the PDF is a precursor to a Federal Union Army that would comprise a majority ethnic Bamar militia and the country's ethnic armed groups to fight the powerful national military.
Myanmar Shadow Government Forms Militia to Oppose Military Junta Radio Free Asia 05 May 2021 -- The shadow government of ousted former lawmakers in Myanmar have formed an armed militia aimed at opposing the military junta that seized control of the country in a coup on Feb. 1 and killed more than 760 people who protested against the army takeover, organizers said Wednesday.
Myanmar's anti-coup government says forming 'people's defense force' Press TV 05 May 2021 -- Myanmar's anti-coup government says it has formed a "people's defense force" to protect people from military attacks and violence directed by the junta, taking the country one step closer to civil war.
Myanmar: Attacks on healthcare jeopardizing COVID-19 response, UN team says UN News 05 May 2021 -- There have been at least 158 reported attacks on medical personnel and facilities in Myanmar, with more than 139 doctors arrested and charged since the military coup in February, endangering not only vital health services but also the COVID-19 response, the UN Country Team (UNCT) there said on Wednesday.
Over 200 NGOs urge UN to impose arms embargo on Myanmar Press TV 05 May 2021 -- Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among over 200 non-governmental organizations, have urged the United Nations Security Council to impose an arms embargo on the junta in Myanmar for its lethal crackdown on anti-coup protesters.
Civil Society Groups Urge UN Arms Embargo on Myanmar VOA 05 May 2021 -- More than 200 civil society and human rights groups from around the world have called on the U.N. Security Council to impose an arms embargo against Myanmar, in hopes of preventing the military from carrying out more murders and atrocities.
Myanmar Faces Third Wave of COVID-19 Infections Amid Anti-Coup Protests Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- As neighboring countries face rising numbers of coronavirus cases, Myanmar health officials have expressed concern that a third wave of COVID-19 could hit the Southeast Asian nation under a military junta that seized power three months ago.
Four Soldiers Killed, Several Injured in Clash between Myanmar Military and Chin State Militia Radio Free Asia 04 May 2021 -- At least four government soldiers were killed and several injured in Myanmar amid clashes between the military and a local defense militia in Chin state, residents said Tuesday, as fighting continued to intensify between the junta regime and the country's ethnic groups in the aftermath of a February coup.
Explosion in Myanmar's Bago Region Kills at Least 5 People, Reports Say Sputnik 04 May 2021 -- At least five people, including three former police officers and an elected lawmaker, have been killed in a blast in Myanmar's Bago Region, the news portal Myanmar Now reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
Western Embassies Call on Myanmar Junta to Release Detained Journalists Radio Free Asia 03 May 2021 -- On World Press Freedom Day Monday, 16 western countries and the European Union called on Myanmar's military junta to immediately release scores of media personnel arrested since the Feb. 1 coup that ousted the country's democratically elected government.
US Presses ASEAN Chair to Hold Myanmar Junta Accountable to Agreed Consensus Radio Free Asia 03 May 2021 -- The United States urged ASEAN to press Myanmar to implement actions agreed at a regional summit last month, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with the foreign minister of Brunei, the bloc's current chair, in London on Monday.
Kachin Rebels Say They Shot Down a Myanmar Military Helicopter Radio Free Asia 03 May 2021 -- A government military helicopter shelling Kachin Independence Army positions was shot down by the KIA Monday near the Chinese border in northern Myanmar, where fighting has intensified since the Feb. 1 army overthrow of the elected government, a spokesman the ethnic rebel group said.
Myanmar rebels claim military helicopter downing amid crackdown Press TV 03 May 2021 -- A rebel group in Myanmar, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), has said it shot down a military helicopter firing on one of its strongholds.
Myanmar Ethnic Rebel Group Says It Downed Helicopter VOA 03 May 2021 -- An ethnic rebel group in northern Myanmar said it shot down a government military helicopter Monday during heavy fighting.
Media Arrests Continue as Myanmar Military Steps Up Repression VOA 03 May 2021 -- On Tuesday last week, Nay Myo Lin, chief editor of the independent Voice of Myanmar, was taken into custody, along with one of his colleagues.
Anti-coup protesters rally in Myanmar amid reports of deadly crackdown Press TV 02 May 2021 -- Thousands have flocked to the streets in Myanmar to oppose the military rule more than three months after a coup plunged the Southeast Asian country into turmoil amid heavy-handed crackdown on protests.
Myanmar Anti-Junta Protests Continue 3 Months Into Coup VOA 01 May 2021 -- Anti-junta demonstrators in Myanmar took to the streets again Saturday three months after a coup spelled the end of the country's transition to democracy.
Myanmar's Karen State Remains Defiant Amid Military Attacks VOA 01 May 2021 -- With Myanmar's military coup now three months old, there are few corners of the Southeast Asian country that haven't been affected by its aftermath.

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Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

May 2021 - Myanmar Special Weapons News