September 2023 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Junta shells school in Myanmar's Sagaing region, injuring 18 kids Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2023 -- At least 18 children were injured and receiving medical care after junta troops fired artillery shells on a village in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region during the middle of the school day, according to residents.
Zoned out: China-Myanmar Economic Corridor still going nowhere Radio Free Asia 30 Sep 2023 -- As Myanmar's economy continues to skid, with soaring inflation, a depreciating kyat, and flat revenue, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing seems to be looking for a few Chinese-backed marquee projects to kickstart growth, and ensure Beijing's long-term commitment to the State Administrative Council, as the regime is formally known.
Court in Myanmar's Ayeyarwady region sentences 3 to death Radio Free Asia 29 Sep 2023 -- A court in Myanmar's southwestern Ayeyarwady region sentenced three men to death, sources close to their families told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Troops kill 2 locals and militia member in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 28 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops killed a People's Defense Force member and two civilians in Sagaing region's Pale township this week, Pale People's Administration Group told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
Soaring palm oil prices prompt long lines in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 28 Sep 2023 -- The price of edible palm oil in Myanmar has soared in recent months to more than five times what it was prior to the February 2021 military coup, leading to long lines around the country.
Myanmar's resistance says it has cracked junta's anti-drone jammers Radio Free Asia 27 Sep 2023 -- Resistance fighters in Myanmar are increasingly relying on drones to attack Myanmar military forces now that they have cracked the junta's anti-drone jammers, rebel groups and drone operation groups said.
Nearly 2,000 NLD party members jailed under Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 27 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's military regime has arrested and jailed nearly 2,000 members of the deposed National League for Democracy, or NLD, since seizing power in a coup d'etat, the party said Wednesday in a statement to mark the 35th anniversary of its founding.
Construction in ancient city of Bagan goes unchecked under junta Radio Free Asia 27 Sep 2023 -- When Chinese conservation teams began working on the That Bin Nyu Temple in Myanmar's ancient city Bagan, local residents noticed something out of place. Less than 300 meters (yards) away, they also began constructing an office.
Junta threatens prison terms for unregistered SIM card users Radio Free Asia 27 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta-controlled Ministry of Transport and Communications is threatening mobile phone service sellers and users with six months in prison if they don't register, or fraudulently register, SIM cards, state controlled newspapers said Wednesday.
RMAFC Aims to Strengthen Energy Sector Ties Between Russia and Myanmar Sputnik 27 Sep 2023 -- In their apparent effort to strengthen cooperation in the energy sector, the Russia-Myanmar Association for Friendship and Cooperation (RMAFC) led by its president Anatoly Bulochnikov, exchanged views on opportunities and issues with Myanmar's Union Minister for Electric Power and Union Minister for Energy yesterday.
UN: Myanmar Military Ups Airstrikes, Mass Killings to Subjugate Population VOA 26 Sep 2023 -- Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, is calling for international action to bring an end to the increasingly brutal, repressive regime of Myanmar's military, which toppled the country's democratically elected government February 1, 2021.
Myanmar reshuffle of generals suggests 'instability,' experts say Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has officially sacked two high-ranking generals for alleged bribery and corruption as part of a reshuffle experts said indicates growing instability and disunity within military ranks.
Myanmar junta extends sentences of 63 protesting prisoners Radio Free Asia 26 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta authorities extended the prison sentences of 63 political prisoners for taking part in a protest in Ayeyarwady's Pathein Prison, a prisoner rights group said Tuesday.
Myanmar: 'Inhumanity in its vilest form' continues, warns Türk UN News 26 Sep 2023 -- The UN human rights chief on Tuesday presented another grim assessment of the situation in Myanmar, detailing escalating horrors inflicted by the military on civilians in the country.
Human Rights Council Hears that States Must Prioritise the Participation of Youth in Climate and Environmental Processes, and that the People of Myanmar Are Enduring Flagrant Human Rights Violations UNOHCHR 26 Sep 2023
Junta troops kill 28 militia members in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops ambushed and killed 28 People's Defense Force members in Sagaing region's Myinmu township, witnesses told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
India plans to extend fence along Myanmar border Radio Free Asia 25 Sep 2023 -- India plans to begin installing an additional 70 kilometers (44 miles) of border fencing over concerns about illegal immigrants entering Manipur state from neighboring Myanmar and an increase in arms and drugs smuggling.
Chinese national security agency exposes cases of espionage through telecom fraud Global Times 25 Sep 2023 -- The Chinese national security agency exposed several cases of espionage through telecommunications fraud on Monday, reminding netizens to be wary of not only telecommunications fraud from northern Myanmar, but also low-interest loans, dating apps, high-paying part-time jobs and other spy networks.
Rohingyas face prison-like conditions in Bangladesh camps: report Radio Free Asia 22 Sep 2023 -- Nearly two-thirds of Rohingya respondents have reported that moving around in Bangladesh refugee camps is more difficult than what they encountered in Myanmar, the country they were forced to flee, a youth advocacy group said in a study released Friday.
Over 1,000 Myanmar workers entering China daily under new permit Radio Free Asia 22 Sep 2023 -- About 1,400 migrant workers are entering China from Myanmar every day from the northern Shan state trading hub of Muse after a seven-day permit was recently authorized by Beijing, local residents told Radio Free Asia.
Troops arrest more than 100 villagers in Myanmar's Magway region Radio Free Asia 22 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops arrested and interrogated more than 100 villagers in Magway region's Gangaw township after anti-junta militias captured weapons in a raid on an arms depot, local People's Defense Forces said this week.
Myanmar junta sacks general for alleged bribery and corruption Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta said it has sacked a high-ranking general for alleged bribery and corruption.
Kyaw Moe Tun to remain Myanmar's UN rep Radio Free Asia 21 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's U.N. ambassador, Kyaw Moe Tun, who was appointed before the 2021 military coup, will remain in the post for another General Assembly session after the body's credentials committee declined to meet, an official told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
United States Announces $116 Million in Humanitarian Assistance to People in Burma, Bangladesh, and the Region US Dept. of State 21 Sep 2023 -- The United States will provide more than $116 million in additional humanitarian assistance to support vulnerable populations in Burma, Bangladesh, and the region, including more than $74 million to support Rohingya refugees and their host communities.
Q&A: Suu Kyi Adviser Reflects on Prison Term, Myanmar's Struggle for Democracy VOA 21 Sep 2023 -- Australian academic Sean Turnell, a former economic adviser to Myanmar's ousted democratic leader Aung San Suu Kyi, recently spoke with VOA via Zoom about his experiences during his 650-day imprisonment in Myanmar's Insein prison after being arrested in the aftermath of the February 2021 military coup.
Myanmar's central bank revokes 123 forex licenses Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta-controlled central bank has revoked the forex licenses of 123 companies, it announced this week.
90 feared dead after Myanmar junta boat sinks in rough river waters Radio Free Asia 20 Sep 2023 -- About 90 people, including students and teachers, were missing after a military junta supply boat sank in the Chindwin River in the northern Sagaing region after hitting a rock in the river, local residents told Radio Free Asia.
Junta troops kill 7 villagers after rebel attack on gunboats Radio Free Asia 19 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops have killed at least seven civilians in Myanmar's northern Sagaing region in what residents and rebel fighters say was retaliation for an attack on their gunboats by members of the armed resistance.
Myanmar junta kills 4 civilians during Tanintharyi mass arrests Radio Free Asia 19 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops killed four civilians who were arrested with scores of others in a raid on Tanintharyi region's Palaw township, residents told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday.
Junta ambassador asks China to share advanced nuclear technology Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2023 -- The Myanmar junta's ambassador to Beijing asked Chinese officials at a weekend ASEAN forum to share advanced nuclear technology, according to a statement from the junta's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Myanmar military launches 20 airstrikes during ASEAN Air Chiefs conference Radio Free Asia 18 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's military kept up its campaign of airstrikes even during the controversial ASEAN Air Chiefs conference, to which four countries decided not to send a representative. There were 20 air attacks during the three-day event, locals and ethnic armed groups told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
Myanmar vendors told to sell military beer - or face consequences Radio Free Asia 15 Sep 2023 -- Vendors in Myanmar who boycott military-produced booze and cigarettes beware - you may be getting a summons from junta authorities.
US Lawmakers Stress Need for Pressure on Myanmar to End Rights Crisis VOA 15 Sep 2023 -- U.S. lawmakers from both major parties have voiced their resolve to rally international pressure for an end to the suffering of the people of Myanmar at the hands of the military junta that cut off democratic rule in the country in February 2021.
More than 80 Myanmar junta troops stranded on Thai side of border Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2023 -- Between 80 and 100 heavily armed Myanmar junta soldiers have been stranded on Thai soil for over a week after they crossed the border, prompting a Thai lawmaker to demand an explanation from his government for why they were allowed into the country - and why the Thai public hasn't been informed.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at a joint news conference following talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Than Swe, Moscow, September 14 Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 14 Sep 2023
Increasingly isolated, Myanmar reestablishes ties with North Korea Radio Free Asia 14 Sep 2023 -- Increasingly isolated on the world stage, Myanmar's junta re-established ties with North Korea this week, renewing ties that were cut five years ago by the former civilian government in line with U.N. sanctions over the North's nuclear weapons program.
Myanmar junta steps up use of banned cluster bombs Radio Free Asia 13 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta is using internationally-banned cluster bombs to attack rebel forces in ethnic areas of the country, said residents, officials from armed ethnic groups and an international campaign working to eradicate the weapons.
Rohingya Say No Return to Myanmar Without Guaranteed Citizenship VOA 13 Sep 2023 -- Members of Myanmar's Muslim Rohingya community living as refugees in Bangladesh are again voicing opposition to efforts to repatriate many of them. They say that the Myanmar government has not met their demands over citizenship rights and that it is not safe for them to go back to Myanmar's Rakhine state.
Official: US pushing Laos to press Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 13 Sep 2023 -- The United States is working to ensure the Association of Southeast Asian Nations does not end a pressure campaign against Myanmar's military junta when Laos takes over as chair of the regional bloc from Indonesia next year, a top U.S. diplomat said on Wednesday.
Thai border hospitals feel strain as Myanmar's war drives patients over border Radio Free Asia 13 Sep 2023 -- When That Thu Lin's father began to feel unwell, he knew the small clinics around their village in southeastern Myanmar's Hpa-an district would not be able to provide adequate care.
Junta requires workers abroad to send money home via approved banks Radio Free Asia 13 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's ruling junta has ordered all overseas workers to transmit 25% of their earnings back home via regime-approved local banks according to a mandated exchange rate.
Former Australian Adviser to Aung San Suu Kyi Calls for Sanctions on Myanmar's Banks VOA 13 Sep 2023 -- A former Australian economic adviser to Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi is calling on Canberra to impose sanctions on the Southeast Asian country's state-owned banks. Sean Turnell was imprisoned by Myanmar's military authorities for 650 days before being released last year. Australia has also announced new sanctions against Iranians "who oppress women and girls."
3 ASEAN nations to boycott defense meeting hosted by Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 12 Sep 2023 -- Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines are boycotting a major regional defense conference this week because it will be held in Myanmar and chaired by the military junta, local media reports said.
Air, artillery strikes have killed over 450 civilians in Myanmar so far this year Radio Free Asia 12 Sep 2023 -- Saw Ba Bal Sal Pho had just returned home from taking his 8-months-pregnant wife to get examined at an hospital in Bago region's Kyaukkyi township when he realized that he had left his mobile phone at the doctor's office.
Intensity of War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity Have Increased in Myanmar, Independent Mechanism tells Human Rights Council OHCHR 11 Sep 2023
HRC54 - Interactive Dialogue on report of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar - EU Statement European External Action Service (EEAS) 11 Sep 2023
Myanmar Uses Yuan to Pay for Russian Oil Products Sputnik 11 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar uses the yuan to pay for supplies of Russian petroleum products, Minister of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations of Myanmar Kan Zaw told Sputnik, adding that the parties are preparing an agreement on the mutual conversion of national currencies.
UN HRC54: UK Statement on Myanmar UK FCDO 11 Sep 2023 -- Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar. As delivered by the UK Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.
War crimes intensifying: Myanmar human rights investigators UN News 11 Sep 2023 -- UN-appointed independent human rights investigators told the Human Rights Council on Monday that Myanmar's people continue to suffer deeply from the effects of horrific crimes committed by the country's military, amid intensifying violence.
UN Concerned Unregulated Meth Chemicals Going to Myanmar VOA 09 Sep 2023 -- The United Nations is growing increasingly alarmed at the rising volume of unregulated chemicals for making methamphetamine headed to Myanmar, the hub of the region's billion-dollar drug trade, and is ramping up efforts to get its neighbors to stem the tide.
Political prisoners begin hunger strike in Myanmar's Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 08 Sep 2023 -- Fourteen political prisoners went on hunger strike at a Sagaing region prison on Friday to demand the return of confiscated items - including books and blankets - and the removal of restrictions on mail delivery.
With nearly 200 destroyed, religious buildings targeted by Myanmar's junta Radio Free Asia 08 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has destroyed nearly 200 religious buildings across the country since the military seized power in February 2021, with most of the devastation in areas with a strong armed resistance, according to data compiled by Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar's United Wa State Army deports alleged Chinese scammers Radio Free Asia 08 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's rebel United Wa State Army has captured more than 1,000 people it said were working for online fraud gangs and handed them over to Chinese police at Shan state's border with China, a Wa Liaison Office representative told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Concerns Mount About Aung San Suu Kyi's Deteriorating Health in Myanmar Prison VOA 08 Sep 2023 -- Concern is growing about the health of Myanmar's ousted leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, who has been serving a 27-year sentence in a Naypyidaw prison.
According to her son, Suu Kyi has been suffering from severe dental and gum issues, which have left her unable to eat.
Junta troops kill 7 defense force members in Sagaing region raid Radio Free Asia 07 Sep 2023 -- Seven members of a local defense force were killed during a raid by junta troops on a Sagaing region base, a People's Defense Force information officer told Radio Free Asia.
Two years on, Myanmar's resistance is a formidable adversary to the junta Radio Free Asia 07 Sep 2023 -- Two years after Myanmar's National Unity Government called for armed rebellion against the leaders of a coup, anti-junta forces are well-organized and making gains against the country's military, the head of the shadow administration said Thursday.
Suu Kyi requests for 'urgent' dental treatment go unheeded Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi is suffering from "urgent" dental issues in detention but junta authorities have ignored her request for permission to seek treatment, sources have told Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar junta hands out harsh sentences to people from martial law townships Radio Free Asia 06 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has been handing out long prison sentences to people arrested in Sagaing region townships where it has imposed martial law, sentencing seven people to terms of between seven years and life over the past week, according to locals and People's Defense Force officials.
Myanmar's Seat Empty as VP Harris Speaks to ASEAN Leaders VOA 06 Sep 2023 -- A chair with Myanmar's flag was left empty as Vice President Kamala Harris spoke with Southeast Asian leaders during the U.S.-ASEAN, or Association of Southeast Asian Nations, summit in Jakarta hosted by outgoing chair Indonesia.
Junta offers villages, but Rohingya won't return without guarantees Radio Free Asia 05 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's junta has pledged to build 20 villages as part of a plan to repatriate thousands of Muslim Rohingya who fled a crackdown to neighboring Bangladesh, but members of the ethnic group say they don't trust the regime and won't accept the offer.
Junta troops detain more than 70 civilians in Myanmar's Mandalay region Radio Free Asia 05 Sep 2023 -- Junta troops arrested more than 70 residents of Mandalay region's Ngazun township, residents told Radio Free Asia Tuesday.
Myanmar's post-coup economy comes crumbling down Radio Free Asia 02 Sep 2023 -- Amid the news of escalating violence, it's easy to lose sight of two events in August 2023 that exposed the Myanmar military regime's vulnerability.
Led by US, Rohingya aid nosedives as donors focus on Ukraine, experts say Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2023 -- Global aid for Rohingya, the displaced and oppressed stateless minority from Myanmar, has declined sharply this year as donor nations have shifted their priority to the war in Ukraine, humanitarian and human rights groups say.
Troops kill 2 men in Myanmar's Kachin state Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2023 -- Three men from Kachin state's Momauk township died on the same day after running into junta troops, locals told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Scavengers risk landslides at Kachin jade mines, where the earth is 'like a sea' Radio Free Asia 01 Sep 2023 -- Myanmar's jade mining center of Hpakant is a lawless township where the less fortunate gather to gamble on making it big, but with little oversight, the stakes are high and losing means being swallowed up by the earth at the digging pits.

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September 2023 - Myanmar Special Weapons News