January 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Clashes between Karennis and Myanmar junta soldiers spread to Kayah state capital Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2022 -- Intense clashes between local ethnic militias and junta forces that began in the eastern Myanmar town of Demoso have spread to the Kayah state capital, a year after the military seized power from the democratically elected government of former leader Aung San Suu Kyi, state residents said.
Myanmar's junta extends state of emergency ahead of coup anniversary Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's junta on Monday extended a state of emergency order by six months as opponents of the regime prepared to hold a nationwide "Silent Strike" on the eve of the anniversary of the coup and vowed to rebuild the country at any cost.
Myanmar to Mark Bloody One-Year Anniversary of Coup Under Military Rule VOA 31 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar will mark a bitter one-year anniversary of the military's February 1, 2021, coup Tuesday amid a rising toll of dead and displaced from fighting between junta forces and a stubborn armed resistance that denies the regime complete control of the country.
US Hits Myanmar with Sanctions on Anniversary of Military Coup VOA 31 Jan 2022 -- On the first anniversary of the February 1 military coup in Myanmar, the United States announced more sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the regime, the Treasury Department said Monday.
Statement by President Joe Biden Marking One Year Since the Coup in Burma The White House 31 Jan 2022
US sanctions Myanmar military-tied businesses, junta court officials Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2022 -- The U.S., Britain and Canada on Monday imposed new sanctions on businesses and individuals tied to the Myanmar military junta that overthrew the country's elected civilian government a year ago, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Increasing Pressure on the Burmese Military Regime and Its Supporters US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2022 -- Since the military coup of February 1, 2021, the people of Burma have stood firm in rejecting military rule and calling for their country's return to the path to inclusive democracy. Tragically, in its continued violent quest to consolidate control, the regime has killed nearly 1,500 people, including women and children, and detained some 10,000 more, including civilian officials, civil society and labor activists, journalists, and foreign citizens.
Joint Statement on the Situation in Myanmar US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2022 -- A joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the one year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar.
Treasury Sanctions Regime Officials and Military Affiliated Cronies in Burma on One-Year Anniversary of Military Coup US Treasury 31 Jan 2022 -- Today, on the one-year anniversary of the brutal military coup d'etat of Burma's democratically elected government, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating seven individuals and two entities connected to Burma's military regime pursuant to Executive Order (E.O) 14014. These designations are part of a joint action with the United Kingdom and Canada, who are each designating two Burmese government officials.
UK announces new sanctions against Myanmar ahead of 1-year anniversary of coup UK FCDO 31 Jan 2022 -- UK joins US and Canada in coordinated action against Myanmar military regime, targeting individuals responsible for undermining democracy and rule of law.
'Window of opportunity' for unity opens in Myanmar UN News 31 Jan 2022 -- One year on from Myanmar's military coup, violence and brutality has only intensified, but "a window of opportunity" does exist, "to build upon a unique unity across religious, ethnic, and communal lines", the UN's top envoy for the country said on Monday.
Myanmar: Voices of the people must be 'heard and amplified' UN News 30 Jan 2022 -- As Myanmar nears the first anniversary of the military coup that saw the arrest of national icon Aung San Suu Kyi and her civilian government dissolved, the UN chief said on Sunday that he stands in "solidarity with the people", and for a return to an inclusive, democratic society.
Myanmar Cybersecurity Law 'Days' Away as Coup Anniversary Nears VOA 30 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's military government is set to pass a new cybersecurity law that will ban the use of internet services, a move that has been condemned by digital rights activists and business groups.
Myanmar's military plans for long-term political control Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2022 -- A year ago, the commander-in-chief of Myanmar's military staged a coup d'etat, destroying hopes for democratic reform and pitching the country into chaos. Today, the military is clinging to power through sheer brutality but it is also trying to lay the groundwork for a political system to entrench its rule.
Bangladesh, Burmese junta initiate Rohingya repatriation talks Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2022 -- Bangladeshi government officials this week had their first meeting with Burmese junta representatives on the issue of repatriating Rohingya refugees who are sheltering in Bangladesh.
Eight bodies discovered in Myanmar's Kayah state include women, children Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2022 -- The bodies of six people, including women and minors, have been discovered mutilated and dumped in a septic well in Myanmar's Kayah state, residents and relief workers said Friday, bringing to eight the number of victims found killed in the state's war-torn capital region over the past three days.
With jobs scarce in Yangon, Myanmar construction workers go to Rakhine Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2022 -- Construction workers in Myanmar's commercial center Yangon are moving in large numbers to the country's western Rakhine state as jobs dry up at home due to political instability following last year's military coup, sources say.
Energy firms' departure will damage Myanmar financially and politically: Experts Radio Free Asia 28 Jan 2022 -- An announcement by two major energy firms of plans to close their operations in Myanmar mean a significant loss of tax revenue for the junta and highlight a growing exodus by large companies concerned about indirectly funding the military's suppression of the Burmese people, according to experts.
'Urgent, renewed effort' needed to restore civilian rule in Myanmar: Bachelet UN News 28 Jan 2022 -- UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet appealed on Friday for the international community to intensify pressure on Myanmar's military to stop its campaign of violence against citizens, and to insist on the prompt return to civilian rule, almost one year after seizing power in a coup.
Counselor Chollet's Meeting with NUG Representatives US Dept. of State 27 Jan 2022
More than 100 sentenced to death in Yangon since Myanmar coup Radio Free Asia 27 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's junta has condemned more than 100 people to death in the Yangon region alone since it seized power a year ago.
Myanmar junta using draft law to conduct searches for VPNs Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar junta officials are stopping people to see if their mobile phones use privacy software to access websites like Facebook that regime opponents have used to coordinate protests, including an upcoming "Silent Strike" marking the one-year anniversary of the coup that brought the military in power, sources said.
Hun Sen Urges Myanmar junta chief to honor ASEAN pledge Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday urged Myanmar's Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to uphold an agreement he made with fellow Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to end the political crisis in his country, but observers say the entreaty had likely fallen on deaf ears.
Business Advisory for Burma US Dept. of State 26 Jan 2022 -- On February 1, 2021, Burma's military overthrew the country's democratically-elected civilian government in a coup d'etat. Since then, the military has killed more than 1,400 innocent people, unjustly arrested political leaders and journalists, violently disbanded labor unions, and committed egregious human rights abuses against the people of Burma. These acts are an attack on the people of Burma and a rejection of their will, as expressed in Burma's November 2020 general elections.
Treasury Publishes New Business Advisory on Heightened Risk of Doing Business in Burma US Treasury 26 Jan 2022 -- Today the U.S. Department of the Treasury joined the Departments of State, Commerce, Homeland Security, Labor, and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in issuing a business advisory to inform the public of the heightened risks associated with doing business in Burma, particularly business involving the military regime.
US Warns of Risks of Doing Business in Myanmar VOA 26 Jan 2022 -- The United States issued an advisory Wednesday warning of the increased risk of conducting business in Myanmar nearly a year after a military coup in the Southeast Asian country, which is also known as Burma.
Scorched earth: Satellite images show village torched by Myanmar junta forces Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2022 -- New satellite imagery obtained by RFA shows a Myanmar village virtually razed to the ground last week in what witnesses say was an arson attack by junta forces after a skirmish with local militia fighters.
Myanmar junta moves to charge more than 2,000 with voter fraud Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2022 -- The decision by Myanmar's ruling junta to charge more than 2,000 former government officials and election workers with voter fraud is just another form of political revenge against the National League for Democracy-led government the military overthrew early last year, analysts and observers say.
Myanmar's junta threatens 'action' ahead of strike to mark coup anniversary Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's military junta threatened to act against anyone who takes part in the "Silent Strike" to mark the one-year anniversary of the coup that put it in power, but members of the public said the protest would go forward as planned.
Cambodia's PM Hun Sen ASEAN invitation hinges on Myanmar junta 'progress' Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2022 -- Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen said Tuesday that he has invited Myanmar junta chief Snr. Gen. Min Aung Hlaing to an upcoming summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) provided he implements conditions to end the political crisis in his country.
Twin blasts bring number of bombings to 121 in Yangon since Myanmar coup Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2022 -- Two bombs detonated in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon on Saturday, bringing the total number of explosions set by prodemocracy militias in the city since the February 2021 coup to 121, according to an investigation by RFA's Myanmar Service.
Myanmar junta forces burn down 132 houses after firefight in small village Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Security forces loyal to Myanmar's military junta this week burned down 132 houses after a firefight at a village in the central Magway region, the second arson attack in the village in 30 days, residents of the village told RFA.
Myanmar military tribunal sentences prominent activist, former lawmaker to death Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar special military tribunal on Friday sentenced a veteran political activist and former lawmaker under the previous democratically elected government to death for activities supporting opponents of the junta that has ruled the country since February, the government said.
Cambodia's Hun Sen hits back at Malaysian FM for criticizing Myanmar strategy Radio Free Asia 21 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister and ASEAN chair Hun Sen, in a phone call with Indonesia's president on Friday, lashed out at Malaysia's foreign minister for being "arrogant" by criticizing Phnom Penh's strategy to deal with Myanmar.
French Oil Company TotalEnergies Leaves Myanmar VOA 21 Jan 2022 -- French Oil Company TotalEnergies and U.S. oil company Chevron have announced they are pulling out of a major joint gas project in Myanmar, citing the February coup.
Hundreds flee to India following clashes in Myanmar's Chin state Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2022 -- At least 3,000 people have been displaced in recent days by fighting between local defense groups and government forces in Myanmar's southern Chin state, with around 400 crossing for safety into neighboring India, local villagers and aid workers say.
Arakan Army, not military junta, run the show in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 19 Jan 2022 -- An armed ethnic group in Myanmar's western state of Rakhine has wrested administrative and judicial control from the country's military junta, which has been in power for almost one year, residents of the state told RFA.
Six Myanmar civilians killed in junta airstrikes Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2022 -- Six civilians were killed this week by military airstrikes in eastern Myanmar's Kayah state that sent thousands fleeing the affected areas for safety, with one local rights group calling the attacks a crime against humanity.
An outlawed group resurfaces, raising new fears of clashes in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2022 -- Residents of western Myanmar's Rakhine state say they are concerned over possible armed clashes in Maungdaw township along the country's border with Bangladesh amid a recent uptick in activity in the area by the outlawed Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA).
Crime rates on the rise as the junta cracks down on political unrest Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2022 -- Nearly a year after Myanmar's military seized power, sources say crime rates are rising throughout the country, largely because authorities are too busy focusing on the political fallout from the coup and countering armed resistance to junta rule.
Myanmar's junta levels 5 new corruption charges against Aung San Suu Kyi Radio Free Asia 14 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's junta on Friday leveled five new corruption charges against deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) party chief Aung San Suu Kyi, according to a source close to the secret court where she is being tried, bringing the total number of crimes she stands accused of to 16.
More than 20,000 refugees displaced by a month of fighting in Myanmar's Kayin state Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- More than 20,000 people who fled fighting between the military and anti-junta forces in two townships in Myanmar's Kayin state remain displaced as clashes continue in the area, residents and aid groups said Wednesday, creating a humanitarian crisis that is spilling across the border into neighboring Thailand.
Malaysia: Cambodian prime minister should have consulted ASEAN before Myanmar visit Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2022 -- Indonesia and Malaysia, two of ASEAN's founders, on Thursday criticized the Cambodian prime minister's controversial trip to crisis-ridden Myanmar last week, with Kuala Lumpur's top diplomat saying Hun Sen should have consulted other members of the bloc first.
Cambodia postpones first ASEAN meeting amid differences among member states Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2022 -- Cambodia on Wednesday postponed the first ASEAN meeting under its 2022 chairmanship, the government said, amid reports of differences among the bloc's members over Prime Minister Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar last week where he did not meet democracy leaders.
Victims of 'massacre' in Myanmar's Chin state were bound with throats cut: residents Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2022 -- Troops in Myanmar's western Chin state have massacred at least 10 civilians, including a 13-year-old and a journalist, after detaining them days earlier, residents said Tuesday, prompting the head of a rights group to label the deaths "war crimes" and call for greater protections for ethnic Chins in the region.
Residents flee fighting in Myanmar's Kayah state capital Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2022 -- More than two-thirds of residents in the capital of Myanmar's Kayah (Karenni) state have been displaced by fighting since last week, when the military escalated attacks on anti-junta forces in the region, a local official said Tuesday.
At least four children killed during escalation of conflict in Myanmar UN News 11 Jan 2022 -- At least four children have been killed and multiple others have been maimed during an escalation of conflict over the past week in Myanmar, said the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Tuesday.
Myanmar's Suu Kyi gets four more years in prison Press TV 11 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four more years in prison, after a military court convicted her of three criminal charges.
Bangladesh: Second fire in a week tears through vast Rohingya refugee camp UN News 10 Jan 2022 -- Teams from UN migration agency IOM were mobilized on Sunday after fire swept through a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, home to thousands of Rohingya who have fled violence in neighbouring Myanmar.
Myanmar military court sentences Aung San Suu Kyi to another 4 years in jail Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2022 -- A military court sentenced deposed Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four years in prison Monday for the illegal possession of walkie-talkies and breaking Covid-19 rules, raising to six years the jail time imposed on her in closed-door proceedings, sources familiar with the trial said.
Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Sentenced to Another 4 Years in Prison, Reports Say Sputnik 10 Jan 2022 -- Former Myanmar State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to another four years in prison, CNN reported on Monday, citing a source.
Myanmar Court Sentences Suu Kyi on 'Walkie-Talkies,' COVID-19 Violations VOA 10 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's ousted de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been convicted and sentenced to four years in prison for illegally importing and possessing portable two-way radios and violating coronavirus rules.
Cambodia PM Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar benefits junta, not people: Analysts Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2022 -- Hun Sen's visit to Myanmar will do little to help the country's people amid an ongoing political crisis that has led to hundreds of civilian deaths and thousands of arrests, analysts said Monday.
Analyst: ASEAN Must Not Allow Burmese Junta Officials to Attend Meetings Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2022 -- ASEAN's commitment to retain its integrity in the face of Cambodia's dalliance with the Burmese junta will be tested at an upcoming in-person meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers, analysts said Monday.
Fire tears through Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh, leaves thousands homeless Press TV 09 Jan 2022 -- Thousands of people have been left homeless after a fire swept through a sprawling Rohingya refugee camp in southeastern Bangladesh.
Hun Sen, as ASEAN Chair, Breaks the Ice in Myanmar VOA 08 Jan 2022 -- While Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen put the Association of Southeast Asian Nations' Five-Point Consensus for peace in Myanmar back on the regional agenda during his two-day visit to the country, analysts said any agreement is unlikely to end the bloodshed that has engulfed the country since last February's coup.
Myanmar military helicopter attack on populated village kills 5 people Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2022 -- Military attacks in Myanmar's Sagaing region killed at least 15 people this week, including four siblings aged 5-26 who died when a missile fired from a helicopter struck their home, sources said.
Myanmar junta protests to UN migration agency about Rohingya Cultural Memory Center Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2022 -- The Burmese junta has protested to the International Organization for Migration about a website the U.N. agency set up to preserve the history of the marginalized Rohingya community of Myanmar, saying the site contains false statements.
Cambodian PM Hun Sen meets Myanmar junta chief amid widespread protests Radio Free Asia 07 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister and rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Hun Sen arrived in Myanmar Friday for a two-day visit and met with junta chief Snr. Gen Min Aung Hlaing, despite protests over what is seen as his support for the military regime and its repressive policies.
Myanmar: WFP plans to aid 4 million through 2022 UN News 07 Jan 2022 -- Ten months since the military takeover in February 2021, food insecurity in Myanmar has risen sharply, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.
Protests erupt throughout Myanmar ahead of Cambodian PM Hun Sen visit Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2022 -- Protests erupted across Myanmar on Thursday ahead of the planned visit of rotating Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) chair and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, with activists angered over what they see as his support for the military regime and its repressive rule.
Hun Sen Hopes Talks in Myanmar Will End Bloodshed VOA 06 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has been accused of "going rogue" on the eve of his two-day trip to Myanmar starting Friday, where he says fruitful talks with the junta could end the bloodshed that erupted almost 12 months ago when the military seized power.
Myanmar Military Accuse News Outlet of Sowing Distrust VOA 06 Jan 2022 -- Military officials in Myanmar's Rakhine state announced charges Wednesday against a news website accused of sowing distrust in the military.
Sagaing residents forced to flee as Myanmar villagers say military junta burns homes Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2022 -- At least six houses, including the home of the local chairman of the opposition political party, were set on fire Wednesday after military troops and associated militiamen raided a village in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, prompting nearly 700 residents from surrounding communities to flee, locals said.
Cambodian PM Hun Sen vows to hold junta to deal ahead of Myanmar visit Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2022 -- Days ahead of a visit to Myanmar as the new chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen switched tack and vowed to ensure the junta honors an agreement to end violence in the country nearly a year after it seized power in a coup.
UNESCO condemns killing of journalist in Myanmar UN News 05 Jan 2022 -- Authorities in Myanmar are being urged to conduct a full investigation into the killing of a journalist last month, reportedly during an army attack in the southeast, the UN's educational and cultural agency, UNESCO, said on Wednesday.
As Myanmar junta hunts opponents to its rule, children are caught in the crossfire Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2022 -- Since the military seized power in Myanmar nearly 90 minors have been killed and more than 190 held hostage by security forces in the process of arresting their parents, according to relatives and rights groups.
Myanmar junta: Cambodian PM won't be allowed to meet democracy leaders Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2022 -- The Myanmar junta's spokesman indicated Tuesday that the Burmese regime would not allow Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to meet with detained pro-democracy leaders during his visit to the country later this week.
Myanmar citizens find little reason to celebrate on Independence Day Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2022 -- The 4th of January is Myanmar's Independence Day, but 74 years after the country cast off British rule, many people see little reason to celebrate.
Three-fourths of NLD members arrested since Myanmar coup still detained, says party Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2022 -- More than three-quarters of the members of Myanmar's deposed National League for Democracy (NLD) arrested by the junta remain in detention more than 11 months after the military seized power, according to the party.
Cambodia's Hun Sen to visit Myanmar, despite explosions near embassy Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2022 -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen will visit violence-ridden Myanmar on Friday despite the explosion of two bombs near the Cambodian Embassy on Dec. 31, a Foreign Ministry official said Monday.
Burma Independence Day US Dept. of State 03 Jan 2022 -- "On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my support for the people of Burma as they celebrate their Independence Day on January 4.""
2021: Myanmar's post-coup bloodshed eclipsed other conflicts in Southeast Asia Radio Free Asia 02 Jan 2022 -- Southeast Asia's longtime conflicts cooled in 2021, a development overshadowed by the Feb. 1 coup in Myanmar and ensuing civil war.
Myanmar's Most Oppressive Year Against Media VOA 01 Jan 2022 -- Myanmar's media freedom record has charted a drastically downward trajectory over the past year.

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January 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News