January 2023 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Deny legitimacy of Myanmar's military junta, UN expert urges UN News 31 Jan 2023 -- The international community must promptly deny the legitimacy of Myanmar's military junta, the UN-appointed independent expert on the situation of human rights in the country said briefing at UN Headquarters in New York on Tuesday, launching a critical report as the coup enters its third year on Wednesday.
Myanmar plunges in latest corruption index, but Vietnam rises Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar has fallen 17 places in Transparency International's latest Corruption Perceptions Index, supplanting Cambodia as Southeast Asia's worst country for graft for the first time in a decade.
Marking Two Years Since the Military Coup in Burma US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2023 -- Two years ago, Burma's military regime usurped power from a democratically elected government - blatantly rejecting the will of Burma's people, setting the country on a disastrous path that has killed and displaced thousands, reversing the hard-fought democratic progress achieved over the last decade.
Joint Statement on Marking Two Years Since the Military Coup in Myanmar US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2023 -- A joint statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, and the Foreign Ministers of Albania, Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, the Federated States of Micronesia, Georgia, Ghana, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, the Republic of Palau, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, on the two year anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar.
Treasury Sanctions Officials and Military-Affiliated Cronies in Burma Two Years after Military Coup US Treasury 31 Jan 2023 -- Today, on the day before the two-year anniversary of the brutal military coup d'état that deposed Burma's democratically elected government, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating six individuals and three entities connected to Burma's military regime pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14014.
UK sanctions Myanmar aviation fuel businesses marking 2 years since coup UK FCDO 31 Jan 2023 -- The UK announced sanctions to increase pressure on the Myanmar military junta, coinciding with the 2-year anniversary of the coup that ousted an elected government.
UN Rights Expert Warns Myanmar Military Planning Sham Elections VOA 31 Jan 2023 -- The U.N. special rapporteur for Myanmar warned Tuesday that two years after its coup, Myanmar's military will try to legitimize its hold on power through sham elections this year, and he urged the international community not to recognize or engage with the junta.
Canada imposes sanctions in relation to the 2021 coup d'état in Myanmar Canada 31 Jan 2023 -- On the eve of the second anniversary of the coup d'état by the Myanmar military, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations against six individuals and a new prohibition on the export, sale, supply or shipment of aviation fuel to the Myanmar military regime.
Myanmar: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the 2nd anniversary of the military take-over EC/CEU 31 Jan 2023 -- On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew by force the country's democratically elected government, in blatant violation of the will of the people as expressed in the general elections of 8 November 2020.
Myanmar junta looks to extend rule as nation counts losses in two years since coup Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's top military leaders dropped hints on Tuesday, the eve of the second anniversary of their overthrow of the civilian government, that they may extend emergency rule, declaring an "extraordinary situation" in light of ongoing resistance to junta rule.
Fighting forces nearly half the residents to flee city in Myanmar's Kayin state Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2023 -- Thandaung city in Myanmar's eastern Kayin state has fallen silent after 8,000 civilians fled fighting between Myanmar's military and one of the country's most powerful ethnic armies.
Two years after coup, Myanmar's anti-junta teachers face lengthy jail terms Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2023 -- The police vehicle pulled up to the house on a September evening and three officers got out. They demanded to see Kyaw Naing Win, a secondary school teacher who had refused to go to work as part of the country's Civil Disobedience Movement after the February 2021 military coup.
Two years on from Myanmar military coup, UN chief stresses international unity, as arrests, airstrikes continue UN News 30 Jan 2023 -- The UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Monday called for Member States to urge the military leadership in Myanmar to respect the will and needs of its own people, as risks to regional stability grow.
Junta Defections Drop Two Years After Myanmar Coup VOA 30 Jan 2023 -- Defections from Myanmar security forces to the anti-junta opposition have dropped significantly, according to People's Embrace, an organization supporting defectors established by the opposition National Unity Government, as well as ethnic opposition groups and defectors.
Two Years After Coup, Battle of Attrition Grinds on in Myanmar VOA 30 Jan 2023 -- Two years after Myanmar's military toppled a democratically elected government, analysts say the country remains trapped in a deadly battle of attrition between the ruling junta and resistance forces that will only get bloodier ahead of planned elections this year.
ASEAN chair Indonesia: Won't resort to 'megaphone diplomacy' with Myanmar Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2023 -- Indonesia said Monday it would be "impossible" to resolve the crisis in Myanmar during Jakarta's term as ASEAN chair and that it wouldn't resort to "megaphone diplomacy" to force the Burmese junta to implement a regional roadmap to peace.
Myanmar refugees arrested by Indian police in Manipur Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2023 -- Nearly 150 refugees escaping violence in Myanmar have been arrested by Indian police in the eastern border state of Manipur over the past several days, sources in the area told RFA, including at least 50 children or minors.
New law raises bar for Myanmar's political parties ahead of general election Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2023 -- A new law, issued just days before the end of a two-year nationwide state of emergency imposed after Myanmar's military coup, has placed a high bar on the registration of political parties ahead of a general election the junta has planned for 2023.
Myanmar's Economy Lags but Slow Growth Expected VOA 30 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's economy is expected to see growth by the end of the current fiscal year, but that growth still lags pre-coup levels.
2 years after coup, drones turning the tide for Myanmar's armed resistance Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2023 -- Two years into Myanmar's civil conflict, civilian drones refitted to drop explosives on junta troops are helping turn the tide against the country's better-equipped military, rebel groups say.
Pressure Mounts on ASEAN Chair Indonesia to Act on Myanmar VOA 29 Jan 2023 -- As Indonesia assumes the rotating chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations for 2023, pressure is mounting on Jakarta to formalize an appropriate response to member Myanmar's military - the Tatmadaw - which seized power from an elected government two years ago.
UN Rights Chief Condemns Wholesale Repression of Human Rights in Myanmar VOA 28 Jan 2023 -- United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is condemning the increasing brutality and wholesale repression of Myanmar's military leaders to maintain their iron grip on power.
Myanmar mired ever deeper in crisis as human rights spiral backwards, warns Türk UN News 27 Jan 2023 -- Nearly two years on from Myanmar's brutal military coup against the democratically-elected government, the country has sunk deeper than ever into crisis, undergoing a wholesale regression in human rights, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Friday.
Myanmar's Opium Production Said to be Surging After Years of Decline VOA 26 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's farmers are flocking back to opium poppy cultivation amid rising prices for the contraband crop and an economic nosedive that's wiping out jobs, reversing nearly a decade of declines, according to the latest data from the United Nations.
Opium production in Myanmar nearly doubles over past 2 years under junta, UN finds Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2023 -- Opium production in Myanmar has nearly doubled since the military coup two years ago, a U.N. report found Thursday, reversing years of declines, as farmers devote more land to growing poppies amid economic turmoil and disruptions.
Intensified fighting drives 10,000 from their homes in Myanmar's Kayin state Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2023 -- More than 10,000 civilians have been forced to flee their homes in southern Myanmar's Kayin state amid intensified fighting this week between junta troops and ethnic Karen armed groups, local residents told RFA.
Rights Group Names Countries, Companies Propping up Myanmar Junta VOA 26 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's ruling junta is getting support from more than 60 foreign governments and international organizations including United Nations entities, according to a study by the group Justice for Myanmar, which monitors human rights violations in the Southeast Asian country.
Complaint filed in Germany alleges atrocity crimes by Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2023 -- Southeast Asian rights group Fortify Rights and 16 Myanmar nationals have filed a criminal complaint with Germany's federal public prosecutor general against Myanmar's junta for atrocities committed against ethnic Rohingya and other groups.
Myanmar military's 3-day arson attack forces 10,000 people to flee Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2023 -- Around 10,000 villagers in two townships have abandoned their homes as junta troops continued scorched earth operations in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region, locals told RFA.
Myanmar activists, victims file criminal complaint in Germany over military atrocities Press TV 24 Jan 2023 -- Activists and a number of victims of abuse in Myanmar have filed a criminal complaint in Germany, asking prosecutors to investigate top generals for instigating genocide against Rohingya Muslims and other atrocities since a military coup two years ago.
Criminal Complaint Filed in Germany Accuses Myanmar Military of Genocide, War Crimes VOA 24 Jan 2023 -- Campaign group Fortify Rights and 16 Myanmar nationals have filed a genocide and war crimes complaint against Myanmar's military leaders in Germany in the latest bid to leverage the principle of universal jurisdiction against the country's generals.
Buddhist monk leading deadly pro-junta militias in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2023 -- An ultranationalist Buddhist monk is leading the charge against Myanmar's armed rebellion in Sagaing region for the military regime, establishing a network of pro-junta militias using a combination of violent coercion and fear-mongering.
Pro-democracy militias burn down junta offices in Kayin State Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2023 -- Fighting between junta troops and one of Myanmar's most powerful ethnic armies continued Tuesday after local guerilla groups burned down an administrative office in Kayin state, residents and fighters told RFA.
Uncertainty Shrouds Myanmar Elections VOA 24 Jan 2023 -- A Myanmar junta spokesperson has told VOA's Burmese service that there is uncertainty over whether general elections will be held this year, due to what he calls issues regarding voter registration and opposition attacks surging across the country.
Junta jets dropped bombs on the home of a Karen ethnic army commander Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's junta jets dropped bombs over the weekend on the home of the leader of an ethnic Karen group that has not been fighting the military, appearing to violate an 8-year-old ceasefire, local residents told Radio Free Asia.
Mine blast kills 2 pro-junta militia members in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2023 -- A grenade and mine attack by the Red Eagle anti-junta group killed two Pyu Saw Htee militia members and injured another in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region, the group told RFA.
Despite Talks, Reassurances, Myanmar Refugees Remain in Limbo VOA 23 Jan 2023 -- The United States is in talks with the Thai government, a close ally, about allowing Myanmar refugees stuck in Thailand to leave for the U.S.
Reported spyware deal implicates Israeli firm in Myanmar junta's crimes, critics say Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2023 -- Human rights groups are criticizing a reported deal between Myanmar's military and an Israeli tech firm for intercept spyware, accusing the company of aiding and abetting the junta in crimes against humanity.
Prison court sentences 6 men to life for blowing up telecoms towers Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2023 -- A court in Yangon's Insein prison has sentenced six men to life in prison for attacks on telecommunications towers owned by a company tied to Myanmar's military.
Q&A: US Sees No Chance of Fair Election Under Myanmar Junta VOA 20 Jan 2023 -- The United States believes there is no chance that proposed elections in Myanmar will be free and fair, according to Derek Chollet, a senior adviser to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Myanmar and other issues.
Junta and Arakan Army swap prisoners in Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 19 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's military and the ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army have exchanged prisoners as a seven-week ceasefire still holds.
Myanmar's junta chief meets Thai counterpart at beach resort to discuss military ties Radio Free Asia 19 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's junta chief met with his Thai counterpart at a Myanmar beach resort on Thursday for talks that will likely focus on military relations and stability issues along their 1,500-mile (2,415-kilometer) border, according to sources in the country.
Rohingya settlement on Bangladesh-Myanmar border torched amid fighting Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2023 -- A settlement of about 3,000 Rohingya refugees on the Myanmar-Bangladesh border was burnt to the ground Wednesday after an hours-long gunfight between Rohingya militant groups that left at least one person dead, sources said.
Junta shelling kills 1, injures 3 in Shan state Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2023 -- A 33-year-old woman died and three men were injured when junta troops fired heavy artillery at an internally displaced persons' camp in Myanmar's eastern Shan state.
Refugees Flee to India Amid Military Airstrikes in Myanmar VOA 18 Jan 2023 -- Hundreds of refugees are fleeing to safety in India as the Myanmar military intensifies airstrikes in Chin state in Myanmar's northwest, a refugee aid group told VOA on Wednesday.
Alarming Rise in Deaths of Rohingya Refugees Fleeing by Sea VOA 17 Jan 2023 -- The U.N. refugee agency, the UNHCR, has recorded an alarming rise in the death toll of Rohingya refugees while attempting dangerous sea journeys in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal in 2022.
UN announces 'alarming rise' in Rohingya refugee deaths Press TV 17 Jan 2023 -- The UN refugee agency says hundreds of members of Myanmar's heavily-persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority have died or gone missing while trying to flee dire humanitarian situations in either the country or neighboring Bangladesh.
Junta troops destroy 129-year-old church in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2023 -- Junta soldiers and pro-military Pyu Saw Htee militia have torched a Sagaing region village for the fourth time, burning down its 129-year-old Catholic church, residents told RFA.
Major land border crossing between Myanmar and Thailand reopens after 3 years Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar and Thailand have reopened a major border crossing after a three-year hiatus.
Junta bombs church in Kayin State killing 5 civilians Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2023 -- A junta airstrike on a village in Myanmar's southeastern Kayin State killed five people, including a child of about three-years-old, according to David Eubank, a former US commander who founded the Free Burma Rangers.
Myanmar Reportedly Jailed Malaysia-bound Rohingya Refugees for Traveling 'Without Official Documents' VOA 13 Jan 2023 -- A military-backed court in Myanmar has reportedly sentenced 112 Rohingya Muslim refugees to jail terms after they were caught traveling outside refugee camps, as the entire group was on its way to Malaysia.
10th meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC) India MEA 12 Jan 2023 -- The 10th meeting of the BIMSTEC Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (JWG-CTTC), hosted by Government of India, began on 12 January 2022 in New Delhi. Delegation from all the BIMSTEC Members States i.e. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand attended the meeting.
Myanmar's junta continues to target anti-junta doctors for arrest Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's junta continues to arrest doctors and other medically-trained workers for participating in a civil disobedience movement to resist the military junta's 2021 coup, healthcare workers say.
Myanmar junta tells ASEAN to stay out of its affairs in response to bloc's envoy plan Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's military junta has warned ASEAN not to interfere with its internal matters after the regional bloc said it will establish a special envoy's office to deal with the post-coup crisis in the country.
Rights watchdog group wants Indonesia, ASEAN to push Myanmar to end violence Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2023 -- As the 2023 chair of ASEAN, Indonesia must push Myanmar to end violence and restore democracy nearly two years after the Burmese generals overthrew an elected government, Human Rights Watch said Thursday in launching its worldwide annual report.
Inmate protest at Myanmar prison sparked in part by 'preparation for execution' Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2023 -- An inmate protest at a prison in southern Myanmar that prompted a deadly crackdown last week was sparked in part by preparations for the execution of a schoolteacher, Radio Free Asia has learned.
Australian Economist Says Myanmar Junta Has Revoked his Amnesty VOA 12 Jan 2023 -- The Myanmar junta has revoked its pardon of Australian economist Sean Turnell, who was granted amnesty and deported last November.
ASEAN chair Indonesia to set up special envoy office on Myanmar Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2023 -- ASEAN chair Indonesia will set up a special envoy's office to deal with the post-coup crisis in Myanmar but not allow that country to hold the regional bloc hostage, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said Wednesday.
Stranded Myanmar Refugees Seek Answers in Thailand VOA 11 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar refugees have been trapped in Thailand for more than a year waiting to be released for travel to third countries. According to NGOs assisting the refugees, there are around 1,100 people who have been approved for resettlement in the United States and other countries but haven't been allowed to leave Thailand.
Junta airstrike kills 5 Chin National Front soldiers Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2023 -- A junta military airstrike on the Chin National Front headquarters in Chin State killed five of its soldiers and injured at least 10, locals told RFA.
Junta troops torch 150 houses in Sagaing region township Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2023 -- An 80-year-old woman is missing after a three-day arson attack on a Sagaing region village, during which junta troops burned down 150 homes, locals told RFA.
Myanmar jails 112 Rohingya, including children, for attempting to flee crackdown on Muslims Press TV 10 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar authorities have sentenced 112 minority Rohingya Muslims, including a dozen children, to prison terms for attempting to travel to Malaysia "without legal documents", state media reported.
Myanmar court sentences 116 Rohingya refugees for violating immigration laws Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2023 -- A court under the jurisdiction of Myanmar's military junta has sentenced 116 Rohingya refugees to between two and five years in prison for traveling without documents after they left camps in Bangladesh and Rakhine state to try to get to Malaysia, sources in Myanmar told Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar junta meets with ethnic rebels to garner support for 2023 elections Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's junta met with three armed ethnic organizations over the weekend as part of a wider campaign to enlist support for an upcoming general election dismissed by democracy watchdogs as a military ploy to maintain power.
Junta airstrike kills 1, injures more than 30 in Kachin State Radio Free Asia 06 Jan 2023 -- A junta military airstrike on a popular gold prospecting area in Myanmar's Kachin State killed one man and injured more than 30 other people, some critically, forces loyal to the country's parallel National Unity Government told RFA.
Myanmar: Hundreds of political prisoners released, but thousands remain in jail UN News 26 Jan 2023 -- Hundreds of political prisoners in Myanmar were granted amnesty this week, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) said Friday, but thousands more remain incarcerated.
Battle between Karen rebels and junta troops intensifies in Myanmar's Kayin State Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2023 -- Fighting between junta troops and Karen National Liberation Army joint forces continued in Kayin State Thursday, a day after the rebel group attacked three military camps in Kyainseikgyi township, according to Liberation Army members and local residents.
Despite Releases, 50 Other Journalists Still Jailed in Myanmar VOA 05 Jan 2023 -- At least nine journalists were among the more than 7,000 people freed from prisons across Myanmar on Wednesday.
Myanmar junta honors anti-Muslim monk dubbed 'face of Buddhist terror' Press TV 04 Jan 2023 -- The military junta in Myanmar has honored an ultranationalist anti-Muslim Buddhist monk dubbed the 'Face of Buddhist terror" with a prestigious national award, and also announced the decision to free thousands of prisoners under amnesty.
Myanmar's junta pardons more than 7,000 prisoners Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2023 -- Myanmar's military rulers ordered the release of 7,012 inmates, including some political prisoners, in an Independence Day amnesty Wednesday.
Myanmar Junta Releases 7,012 Inmates From Prison VOA 04 Jan 2023 -- Freedom is bittersweet for Htin Lin Oo, a former official in the government of Aung San Suu Kyi and one of the 7,012 prisoners released by Myanmar's ruling junta Wednesday to mark the 75th anniversary the nation's independence from Britain.
Junta arson attack kills 2 villagers in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2023 -- Two elderly men died when their houses were burned down by junta troops in a Sagaing region village, locals told RFA.

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January 2023 - Myanmar Special Weapons News