August 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Thousands flee fighting between Myanmar junta, Arakan Army in Rakhine Radio Free Asia 31 Aug 2022 -- More than 5,000 civilians fled from more than 10 villages in Myanmar's Rakhine state after fighting erupted Tuesday night between junta forces and the rebel Arakan Army (AA), residents told RFA.
Myanmar junta forces said to have burned tens of thousands of homes Radio Free Asia 30 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's military junta has burned nearly 30,000 homes across the country during the past 19 months following the coup that overthrew the elected government, according to data compiled by a domestic research group.
More than 6,600 battles broke out in Myanmar since last year's coup, report says Radio Free Asia 29 Aug 2022 -- More than 6,600 armed clashes have broken out across Myanmar since the military seized power in the Feb. 1, 2021, coup, an independent think tank reported Monday.
Three civilians reportedly killed by Myanmar junta shelling Radio Free Asia 29 Aug 2022 -- Three civilians, including a five-year-old, were killed and seven others injured by shells fired by Myanmar junta troops into a village in Rakhine state that was miles away from where a clash with rebel Arakan Army (AA) forces had occurred earlier, sources in the country told RFA.
Authorities have crushed least 15 protests by political prisoners since Myanmar coup Radio Free Asia 29 Aug 2022 -- Authorities have violently cracked down on at least 15 peaceful protests by political prisoners in the 18 months since Myanmar's military seized power in a coup, according to an investigation by RFA Burmese.
Post-coup instability drives inflation to record levels in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 29 Aug 2022 -- Inflation in Myanmar hit its highest level in a decade, making life more difficult for citizens struggling to make ends meet amid the political and economic chaos that has enveloped the country in the 19 months under military junta rule.
In Myanmar, Vietnamese firms learn the political risks of backing the junta Radio Free Asia 28 Aug 2022 -- Vietnamese firms are confronting political risk from overseas investments as the price of doing business with Myanmar's brutal military regime, a less predictable partner than the authoritarians they are accustomed to.
Former British Ambassador to Myanmar transferred from prison to police custody Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2022 -- Former British Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman and her husband, artist Htein Lin, have been released from Yangon's notorious Insein Prison and are being held in separate police stations.
Nearly 5 dozen monks detained in Myanmar since military coup Radio Free Asia 26 Aug 2022 -- Authorities in Myanmar have detained at least 56 monks who spoke out against junta in the nearly 18 months since last year's coup, while many other religious leaders opposed to military rule face harassment and are on the run amid the threat of arrest, RFA Burmese has learned.
Fighting between Myanmar junta and Karen forces intensifies Radio Free Asia 25 Aug 2022 -- Karen National Union forces have killed nearly 50 soldiers from Myanmar's military in weeks of heavy fighting in an area near the Thai border that, despite a major junta offensive, remains controlled by the KNU.
Refugees: ARSA rebels threaten Rohingya leaders who push for repatriation Radio Free Asia 25 Aug 2022 -- Five years after hundreds of thousands of Rohingya fled a brutal crackdown by Myanmar's military, refugees stuck at camps in southeastern Bangladesh say they feel increasingly unsafe as ARSA rebels and armed criminal gangs are targeting community leaders for attack.
Rohingya rally for repatriation on 5th anniversary of brutal Myanmar crackdown Radio Free Asia 25 Aug 2022 -- Rohingya refugees staged mass demonstrations at camps in southeastern Bangladesh on Thursday to demand the world help repatriate them to Myanmar, as they marked the fifth anniversary of a brutal Burmese military offensive that spurred an unprecedented exodus.
Myanmar: Joint Ministerial Statement Marking the 5th Anniversary of the Myanmar Military's Attack against Rohingya and Ensuing Crisis European External Action Service (EEAS) 25 Aug 2022 -- The following is the text of a joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the fifth anniversary of the Myanmar military's attack against Rohingya.
'Comprehensive' solution needed to end mass displacement of Rohingya UN News 25 Aug 2022 -- It's been five years since more than 700,000 ethnic Rohingya fled from Myanmar to Bangladesh to escape a brutal military crackdown. The UN chief on Thursday called on the international community to find "comprehensive, durable and inclusive solutions" to help end their plight.
Fifth anniversary of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar: UK statement UK FCDO 25 Aug 2022 -- The UK announces new sanctions and legal action in support of Myanmar's Rohingya community.
Federal Foreign Office on the fifth anniversary of the attacks against Rohingya communities in Myanmar and the refugee crisis they triggered Germany Federal Foreign Office 25 Aug 2022 -- A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (25 August) on the fifth anniversary of the attacks against Rohingya communities in Myanmar and the refugee crisis they triggered:
Junta arrests former UK ambassador to Myanmar on immigration charges Radio Free Asia 25 Aug 2022 -- Junta authorities have arrested former U.K. Ambassador to Myanmar Vicky Bowman and her husband, a Burmese former political prisoner, for allegedly violating the country's immigration laws, according to the military regime and a source with close ties to the couple.
Marking Five Years Since the Genocide in Burma US Dept. of State 24 Aug 2022 -- "Five years ago, Burma's military launched a brutal campaign against Rohingya - razing villages, raping, torturing, and perpetrating large-scale violence that killed thousands of Rohingya men, women, and children."
This Week Marks Five Years Since 700,000 Rohingya Refugees Fled Persecution in Myanmar VOA 24 Aug 2022 -- This week marks five years since more than 700,000 Rohingya refugees fled violence and persecution in Myanmar, joining hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya who sought refuge in Bangladesh in previous years.
Myanmar/Bangladesh - Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell, Commissioner Lenarčič and Commissioner Urpilainen on the 5th Anniversary of the Rohingya crisis European Commission 24 Aug 2022 -- On 25 August 2017, the world witnessed the beginning of the forced displacement of more than 750 000 Rohingya people from Rakhine State in Myanmar, fleeing violence and persecution from the Myanmar military.
Myanmar villagers left homeless and hungry after pro-junta forces' arson attacks Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2022 -- More than 4,000 villagers who lost their homes when the military torched their villages in strife-torn central region of Magway this month are suffering from a lack of food and are unsure how they will be able to rebuild their lives, the villagers told RFA.
More than 200 houses torched in two days of junta raids on a Sagaing region township Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2022 -- Junta forces continued to raid villages in Myanmar's Sagaing region this week, killing a 60-year-old man and setting fire to hundreds of houses.
Bank shake-up seen as bid by junta to control Myanmar's financial sector: experts Radio Free Asia 24 Aug 2022 -- A junta shake-up of Myanmar's Central Bank leadership announced last week is part of a bid by the military regime to assume control of the country's financial sector and extend its grip on power, experts warned Wednesday.
UNHCR appeals for renewed support and solutions for Rohingya refugees UNHCR 23 Aug 2022 -- This week marks five years since more than 700,000 Rohingya women, men and children fled Myanmar for Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of other Rohingya who had sought and found refuge in the country in previous years. The latest exodus from Myanmar is now officially defined as being a protracted situation.
Myanmar: 5 years since Rohingya mass exodus, UNHCR urges solutions UN News 23 Aug 2022 -- This week marks five years since more than 700,000 ethnic Rohingya fled military persecution from Myanmar for neighbouring Bangladesh, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, said on Tuesday, appealing to the international community for greater support.
Wheels of Justice Turn Slowly for Displaced Rohingya People VOA 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's displaced Rohingya Muslims are marking a solemn anniversary this week.
UN faces heat over envoy's trip to Myanmar Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and more than 850 civil society groups called on the United Nations to remove its appointed envoy to the country after her visit last week and demonstrate a "serious commitment" to resolving the nation's worsening humanitarian crisis.
Devalued Kyat currency stops trade at Myanmar-China border Radio Free Asia 23 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar merchants who trade goods across the border with China say their country's kyat has depreciated so much relative to the Chinese yuan that they are no longer able to stay in business.
India Won't Give Homes to Rohingya Refugees, after Hindu Right Wing Protests VOA 20 Aug 2022 -- The Indian government has revoked a plan to give free residential housing to Rohingya Muslim refugees in New Delhi following protests by the right-wing Hindu organization Vishwa Hindu Parishad [VHP], which called the refugee community "infiltrators."
Myanmar junta steps up attacks in what may be prelude to an election Radio Free Asia 19 Aug 2022 -- A broader military offensive launched by Myanmar's ruling military junta earlier this month in Sagaing, Magway and other regions showing resistance to the regime looks like an effort to clear the way for new elections next year to give its rule some appearance of legitimacy, analysts say.
Myanmar's junta sends hundreds of troops to Kayah State, preparing major offensive Radio Free Asia 19 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's junta has sent more than 400 soldiers to Demoso township in Kayah (Karenni) State this month, with opposition Progressive Karenni People's Force (PKPF) and civil society officials saying they expect a major offensive in the near future.
Myanmar junta forces raid village in Magway, torching hundreds of homes Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar junta forces and members of an affiliated militia group torched most of the homes in a village in the central Magway region, another display of the regime's reliance on arson in its fight to hold onto power 18 months after removing the democratically elected government in a coup.
Two farmers killed in Sagaing region village Radio Free Asia 18 Aug 2022 -- Two residents of a village in Sagaing region's Kale township have been shot dead by junta troops, according to locals.
UN calls on Myanmar military to end violence, release political prisoners Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- The United Nations has once again called on the junta in Myanmar to halt executions, end violence, and release all political prisoners.
India set to deport Rohingya Muslim refugees in New Delhi Press TV 18 Aug 2022 -- India's Home Ministry says the persecuted Rohingya Muslim refugees in New Delhi will be held at a detention center and then expelled.
Seven killed after checkpoint stop in Sagaing Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2022 -- Seven young men from Myanmar's war-torn Sagaing region were found dead on Tuesday after being taken away from a military checkpoint the day before by junta soldiers, local residents and family members said.
At least four dead, eight injured in shooting on bridge between Sagaing and Mandalay Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2022 -- Fighting between junta forces and local People's Defense Forces (PDFs) erupted on Wednesday on Sagaing bridge which links the region with Mandalay.
UN envoy calls for end to conflict after meeting Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 17 Aug 2022 -- The U.N.'s special envoy for Myanmar called for an immediate end to violence in the Southeast Asian country and asked to see ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a meeting with the country's junta military government on Wednesday.
UN: It's still unsafe for Rohingya refugees to return to Myanmar Press TV 17 Aug 2022 -- UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet says conditions are not suitable yet for the Rohingya Muslim refugees to return to Myanmar.
Clashes between junta forces and Arakan Army rattle Rakhine, Chin states Radio Free Asia 16 Aug 2022 -- Renewed fighting between Myanmar regime forces and the Arakan Army has intensified in Rakhine and Chin states with at least 10 clashes since July 18, following the dissolution of a fragile cease-fire that had held for a year and a half, residents of the western states told RFA.
UN human rights chief advises Rohingya to wait for repatriation Radio Free Asia 16 Aug 2022 -- U.N. human rights chief Michelle Bachelet advised Rohingya to wait for repatriation because the present situation in Myanmar's Rakhine state is not stable, according to refugees who met with her at camps in southeastern Bangladesh on Tuesday.
Rohingya refugees share concerns with UN rights commissioner during visit to Cox's Bazar UN News 16 Aug 2022 -- During her first official visit to Bangladesh, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, met with a host of officials, civil society representatives and Rohingya refugees on Tuesday.
UN special envoy to visit Myanmar 'to address deteriorating situation' Press TV 16 Aug 2022 -- A senior UN official is visiting Myanmar this week following the call from the UN Security Council for an immediate cessation of violence and unimpeded humanitarian access in the strife-torn country.
UN Envoy Arrives in Myanmar VOA 16 Aug 2022 -- The U.N.'s special envoy for Myanmar visited the country for the first time Tuesday, nearly 10 months after being appointed to the post.
Amidst military rule, UN envoy travels to Myanmar for first time UN News 16 Aug 2022 -- UN special envoy for Myanmar Noeleen Heyzer travelled for the first time to the country since she was appointed last October.
Four local fighters shot dead in Sagaing region's Tabayin township Radio Free Asia 15 Aug 2022 -- Junta forces arrested five members of the People's Defense Forces (PDFs) in Myanmar's Sagaing region. They shot four of them, while the other is still missing, residents told RFA.
Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to 6 more years in prison Radio Free Asia 15 Aug 2022 -- A Myanmar military court on Monday sentenced former national leader Aung San Suu Kyi to six years in prison following her conviction on corruption charges that critics say are without merit.
Myanmar Court Sentences Suu Kyi to 6 Years VOA 15 Aug 2022 -- A court in military-ruled Myanmar found ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi guilty in four corruption cases Monday and sentenced her to six years in prison.
Myanmar junta court jails Suu Kyi for six years under four anti-corruption charges Press TV 15 Aug 2022 -- A military court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to a six-year prison term after finding her guilty in four corruption cases.
Skyrocketing rice prices another hardship for Myanmar citizens Radio Free Asia 15 Aug 2022 -- The price of rice, a food staple in Southeast Asia, and other commodities has shot up as much as 50 percent over the last two months in Myanmar, another hardship for the country's beleaguered citizens, many of whom have already had to flee their homes because of ongoing conflict, traders and consumers said.
UN Human Rights chief to visit Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh Press TV 14 Aug 2022 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has arrived in Bangladesh on Sunday on a four-day trip that includes a visit to the squalid camps where over a million displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar reside.
Fighting in Myanmar's Kachin state kills at least 15 villagers Radio Free Asia 12 Aug 2022 -- At least 15 civilians died during fierce fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and junta forces in Hpakant township, in Myanmar's northernmost Kachin state.
Pain at the pump for Myanmar motorists as fuel shortage sends prices soaring Radio Free Asia 12 Aug 2022 -- A fuel shortage has forced gas stations to close in major cities in Myanmar and sent prices soaring to their second highest level since the coup, prompting criticism that the junta's restrictions on imports and manipulation of the exchange rate are to blame.
Bangladesh police: 2 Rohingya leaders were victims of 'target killings' Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2022 -- Unidentified assailants fatally shot two Rohingya leaders as they returned home after overseeing community night-watch duties at a refugee camp in Cox's Bazar, police said Wednesday.
Woman killed, son injured, in shelling of Chin state village Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2022 -- A 55-year-old woman was killed and her son was injured when a shell hit a village during fighting between junta forces and local militia in Hakha city, the capital of Myanmar's Chin State.
Third day of 'nonstop' raids on townships as junta focus turns to Sagaing Radio Free Asia 11 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's military pounded the Sagaing townships of Tabayin, Ye-U and Ayadaw with a third day of attacks by air and land, residents and anti-junta fighters said Thursday, following a vow by the junta to restore the embattled region "to its original state."
Myanmar's Sanctions-Hit Junta Still Netting Vast Oil, Gas Profits VOA 11 Aug 2022 -- Vast oil and gas profits continue flowing to, and propping up, Myanmar's military junta a year and a half into its bloody crackdown on nationwide resistance to the February 2021 coup, opposition and rights groups say.
Junta troops kill 5, torch hundreds of homes in Kachin state village Radio Free Asia 10 Aug 2022 -- Junta troops killed five civilians and torched as many as 400 homes over three days of air raids, heavy artillery fire and fierce clashes with a joint force of ethnic rebels and pro-democracy paramilitaries in northern Myanmar's Kachin state, residents said Wednesday.
ASEAN aid promised in May has yet to reach Myanmar's refugees Radio Free Asia 10 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's junta has yet to deliver humanitarian assistance pledged three months ago by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) for the country's more than 1.2 million refugees of conflict, who aid workers say are in dire need of food and medicine.
More than a thousand villagers flee Sagaing region battle Radio Free Asia 10 Aug 2022 -- Two People's Defense Force members died in fighting with Myanmar junta troops in Sagaing region's Ye-U township. A local PDF commander confirmed they were both members of the local defense force. The PDF said at least 10 junta troops also died but RFA could not independently verify this.
UN probe finds mounting proof of crimes by Myanmar military Press TV 09 Aug 2022 -- UN investigators have reported mounting evidence of crimes against humanity committed in Myanmar since the military takeover in February last year.
Junta 'crimes against humanity' include assault, torture of women, children: report Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2022 -- Attacks on civilians by Myanmar's junta since its takeover in February 2021 constitute crimes against humanity and include the widespread sexual assault of women and the torture of children, a United Nations investigative unit said in an annual report Tuesday.
Myanmar: Crimes against humanity committed systematically, says UN report UN News 09 Aug 2022 -- Crimes against humanity continue to be systematically committed in Myanmar, with ongoing conflicts severely impacting women and children, according to a UN report released on Tuesday.
Karen fighters clashed with Myanmar junta forces 259 times last month, KNU says Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2022 -- The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) clashed with junta forces 259 times last month in Myanmar's Kayin and Mon states, according to a statement released Tuesday by the Karen National Union (KNU). The fighting led to the deaths of 12 KNLA troops and 19 civilians. The KNU said 386 junta troops and Border Guard Force (BGF) members were killed and 280 injured.
China-led rare earth mining in Myanmar fuels rights abuses, pollution: report Radio Free Asia 09 Aug 2022 -- China's outsourcing of rare earth mining to Myanmar has prompted a rapid expansion of the industry there, fuelling human rights abuses, damaging the environment and propping up pro-juna militias, according to a new report published Tuesday by rights group Global Witness.
Junta troops burn 500 homes, displace thousands in Sagaing Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2022 -- Junta forces stepped up their attacks in Myanmar's hard-hit Sagaing region in the first week of August, torching nearly 500 homes in 10 villages and causing at least 5,000 people to flee, local sources said.
Myanmar opposition marks '8888' anniversary with protests, vow to fight on Radio Free Asia 08 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and activists marked the anniversary of the uprising against former Gen. Ne Win on Monday with protests calling for an end to junta rule and a vow to fight until their goal of a federal democracy is achieved.
ASEAN-9 Summit Includes Plea for Peace in South China Sea VOA 06 Aug 2022 -- Foreign ministers of nine Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members wrapped up their annual summit Saturday with a plea for peace in the South China Sea, warnings to Myanmar's junta and plans to bolster COVID-19-injured economies.
Hundreds killed, thousands forced to flee since coup in Myanmar Tanintharyi region Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2022 -- At least 214 civilians have been killed and 89 injured in southern Myanmar's Tanintharyi region in the 18 months since the country's military seized power in a coup, according to local research group Southern Monitor.
Refugee camps short of food, medicine in Myanmar's Kayah state Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2022 -- Villagers displaced by fighting in Myanmar's war-torn Kayah state are running short of badly needed food and medicine, with children and the elderly hardest hit in the camps set up to shelter them, sources in the region say.
Five militia members killed in accidental mine explosion Radio Free Asia 05 Aug 2022 -- A hand-made mine exploded as it was being planted, killing five members of the Wetlet Township People's Defense Force (PDF) in Sagaing region, according to a militia member who declined to be named for security reasons,
New evidence exposes Myanmar's military's brutal purge of the Rohingya Muslims Press TV 04 Aug 2022 -- War crimes investigators have obtained thousands of documents that shed new light on the Myanmar military's planning around the forcible expulsion of the Southeast Asian country's Muslim minority from their homeland of Rakhine state.
Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's visit to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Aug 2022
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Chairman of the State Administrative Council and Prime Minister of the Provisional Government of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing, Nay Pyi Taw, August 3, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Aug 2022
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin, Nay Pyi Taw, August 3, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Aug 2022
Two children killed as Myanmar military fires on boat taking them home from school Radio Free Asia 03 Aug 2022 -- Two children were killed and three other people injured when junta troops opened fire on a boat carrying schoolchildren near Toe Ma Wa village in Paletwa township.
ASEAN ratchets up criticism of Myanmar junta as Russian FM visits Naypyidaw Radio Free Asia 03 Aug 2022 -- The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ratcheted up its criticism of member state Myanmar's junta on Wednesday, as Russia's top diplomat visited Naypyidaw despite international outrage of the regime's execution of four prominent democracy activists.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Wunna Maung Lwin, Nay Pyi Taw, August 3, 2022 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 03 Aug 2022
Junta troops kill 5 in raid on school run by Myanmar shadow government Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2022 -- Junta troops killed five people and detained more than 110 others during a raid on a village school run by Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government (NUG) in embattled Sagaing region, residents and state media said Tuesday.
Thai natural gas project suspended after pipeline explosions in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 02 Aug 2022 -- A pipeline carrying gas from Myanmar to Thailand has exploded twice in three days, according to locals.
Over 1.2 mln people remain displaced in Myanmar: UN People's Daily 02 Aug 2022 -- More than 1.2 million people are now displaced across Myanmar, including over 866,000 people displaced by the conflict and insecurity since the military takeover in February 2021, said a UN spokesman on Monday.
Myanmar, South China Sea to Divide, Dominate ASEAN Summit VOA 01 Aug 2022 -- Foreign Ministers from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will try and thrash out their differences, ranging from the conflict in Myanmar, to the disputed South China Sea, to admitting East Timor to the bloc, when they meet in Phnom Penh, Cambodia this week.
Myanmar junta extends state of emergency citing need for 'election prep' Radio Free Asia 01 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's military regime has extended the country's state of emergency for an additional six months to Feb. 1, 2023 citing the need for additional "election preparations," as citizens staged rallies over the weekend pledging allegiance to the anti-junta democracy movement.
Myanmar extends state of emergency for another 6 months People's Daily 01 Aug 2022 -- Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council decided on Sunday to extend the state of emergency for another six months.

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August 2022 - Myanmar Special Weapons News