January 2024 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Myanmar: Statement by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the 3rd anniversary of the military coup EC/CEU 31 Jan 2024 -- Three years ago, on 1 February 2021, the military in Myanmar overthrew by force a democratically elected Government.
Fierce fighting in Rakhine state prompts aid workers to evacuate Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2024 -- U.N. and other humanitarian organizations are evacuating their workers out of western Myanmar's Rakhine state amid intensifying fighting between junta troops and the rebel ethnic Arakan Army near the state capital and in several other townships.
Myanmar Extends State of Emergency for Six Months VOA 31 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's ruling military junta Wednesday extended by six months a state of emergency that was about to expire. The move comes ahead of the three-year anniverary of the coup that toppled the democratically elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.
EU approves over €19 million in humanitarian aid for Myanmar in 2024 European Commission 31 Jan 2024 -- As conflict continues in most parts of Myanmar, the Commission has allocated over €19 million in humanitarian aid to address the most urgent needs of the population. This funding will support the large number of internally displaced people, which reached 2.6 million last year, as well as others affected by the ongoing fighting.
Three years of misery in Myanmar, by the numbers Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2024 -- Three years after Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing led a military coup that ousted the democratically elected civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi, citing unsupported claims of electoral fraud, Myanmar is in a state of war, chaos and economic ruin and the junta rules less territory than it did at the start.
Suu Kyi's son receives 1st letter from her since Myanmar coup Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2024 -- In mid-January, Kim Aris received a letter from his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, the former de facto leader of Myanmar and Nobel laureate who is serving a 27-year prison sentence.
Myanmar: Military's 'campaign of violence' must end, UN chief says on anniversary of coup UN News 31 Jan 2024 -- On the third anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced grave concern over the deteriorating situation in the country.
UN: Myanmar Human Rights in Freefall Three Years After Military Coup VOA 31 Jan 2024 -- Three years after Myanmar's military junta overthrew the country's democratically elected government, the U.N.'s top human rights official is calling on the international community to redouble efforts "to hold the military accountable" for the many crimes and abuses it has committed against the country's civilian population.
Joint Statement Marking Three Years Since the Military Coup in Myanmar US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2024 -- 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, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States, marking three years since the military coup in Myanmar.
Imposing Sanctions on Burma's Military Regime Three Years After the Military Coup US Dept. of State 31 Jan 2024 -- The United States is today designating four individuals and two entities linked to Burma's military regime. We are taking this action to target the regime's sources of revenue which support military activities against civilians. The action also targets those who provide material and support for the production of arms in Burma.
Treasury Sanctions Military Cronies and Companies in Burma Three Years after Military Coup US Treasury 31 Jan 2024 -- Today, marking the three-year anniversary of the military coup in Burma, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating two entities closely associated with Burma's military regime, as well as four cronies, pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14014.
US Marks Anniversary of Myanmar Coup With New Sanctions VOA 31 Jan 2024 -- The United States is imposing further sanctions on Myanmar's military regime three years after the February 1, 2021, military coup, and designating four individuals and two entities associated with it.
Myanmar arrests alleged Chinese scammers, former MP Radio Free Asia 31 Jan 2024 -- Police in northern Myanmar have arrested 10 phone and internet fraud suspects and sent them to China, the Chinese embassy in Yangon announced.
Karen army claims 5 dead after junta helicopter crash Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2024 -- The Karen National Liberation Army shot down a Myanmar junta aircraft, killing soldiers onboard, a member of the ethnic force told Radio Free Asia.
Three Years After Coup, Myanmar's Junta Losing Ground but Holding On VOA 30 Jan 2024 -- February 1 will mark three years since Myanmar's military toppled the country's democratically elected government, setting off a bloody civil war that continues to tear apart the country of 54 million people.
Beware of junta's political tricks, government-in-exile warns Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2024 -- Increasingly desperate after a series of battlefield losses, Myanmar's junta may try to trick the world into thinking it is making changes to the political system - but don't fall for it, the foreign minister of the country's government-in-exile said.
Rights group urges sanctions against Australian mining companies in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2024 -- Australian companies engaged in Myanmar's junta-controlled mining sector are tacitly supporting the ruling military regime, which is approaching its third year in power, the rights group Justice For Myanmar said in a report issued Tuesday.
Thai court drops drug-trafficking charges against Myanmar businessman with alleged junta ties Radio Free Asia 30 Jan 2024 -- A Bangkok court dropped drug-trafficking charges on Tuesday against a Myanmar businessman with alleged links to the military junta who is under U.S. sanctions, and four Thai nationals, including the son-in-law of a Thai senator, citing insufficient evidence.
Myanmar demands greater focus urges UN rights chief, three years after coup UN News 30 Jan 2024 -- Three years after the military deposed the elected Government in Myanmar, the ever-deteriorating human rights crisis in the country is now in freefall, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Tuesday, appealing for greater attention from the international community.
Junta forces resume raids on villages in Sagaing region, residents say Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2024 -- Junta forces recently killed five residents during a raid on a village in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region, one of several recent attacks that signals a resumption of the military's brutality in the area, local residents said.
Karenni resistance group claims victory in Myanmar's northeast Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2024 -- The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force captured a mineral-rich city in northeast Myanmar, the group announced, saying most junta troops fled from checkpoints and camps on Friday, two days before the ethnic army moved in.
Myanmar junta sentences nearly 400 women in 3 years since coup Radio Free Asia 29 Jan 2024 -- Nearly 400 women in Myanmar have been sentenced to prison, some for more than 20 years - or even death - for political offenses in the three years since the coup, a report by the Burmese Women's Union said.
Australian Mining Companies Funding Myanmar Junta, Report Says VOA 29 Jan 2024 -- Australian mining companies operating in Myanmar are contributing to military government funding, according to a new report.
Myanmar OKs Resumption of Construction at Beijing-Backed Indian Ocean Port VOA 29 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's military government has approved resumption of construction of the Chinese-backed Kyaukphyu deep-sea port after years of delay.
Battles raging across Rakhine have big ramifications for Myanmar and its neighbors Radio Free Asia 27 Jan 2024 -- The Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies that launched Operation 1027 three months ago is consolidating their gains and establishing administrative control over newly acquired territory across large swathes of Myanmar.
Myanmar junta arrests 1,000 Chinese nationals in Shan state Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar junta authorities arrested more than 1,000 Chinese citizens in Namhsan, in southern Shan state, who had possibly fled from online scam crackdowns in the north, the ruling military council and area residents said.
Thousands flee capital of Myanmar's Rakhine state as battle looms Radio Free Asia 26 Jan 2024 -- Thousands of residents have fled the capital of western Myanmar's Rakhine state in anticipation of a looming battle between the rebel ethnic Arakan Army and junta soldiers, local residents told Radio Free Asia.
Military battalion camp seized by Kachin rebels in Myanmar's Shan state Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- An ethnic army has captured the military camp of the junta's Light Infantry Battalion No. 123 in northern Myanmar's Shan state, residents and the rebel group said Thursday, capping months of fighting for control of a key trade route with China.
Myanmar court orders sale of jailed Suu Kyi's historic home Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- A Yangon court has ruled in favor of Myanmar's junta selling jailed former State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's historic family home, a source close to the court told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
Kayin Border Guard Force cuts ties with Myanmar junta Radio Free Asia 25 Jan 2024 -- The decision by the commander of the Border Guard Force in southeastern Myanmar's Kayin state to cut ties with the ruling junta has dealt a blow to the regime's military might and undermined its influence on the country's ethnic groups, observers said Thursday.
Residents fear junta attack, despite NUG control in Myanmar's Sagaing Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's shadow National Unity Government has claimed administrative control of four key towns in the northern region of Sagaing following their fall to resistance forces, but residents say they still live in constant fear of attacks by the military.
Nearly 40 Myanmar civilians dead after four-day clash Radio Free Asia 24 Jan 2024 -- Intense battles between junta troops, the Kachin Independence Army and joint People's Defense Forces have killed 40 civilians, locals told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
Fate of junta officers unclear following surrender to rebels in Myanmar's Shan state Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2024 -- Speculation is swirling over the fate of six brigadier-generals from the Burmese military following their surrender of a strategic Shan state city to ethnic rebels earlier this month in a humiliating setback to the ruling junta.
Arakan Army fires rockets on junta naval base in Myanmar's Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's ethnic Arakan Army carried out a rocket attack on a naval base in Rakhine state's Kyaukphyu township, prompting a military artillery strike in response, causing more than 1,000 civilians to flee their homes, residents said Monday.
Junta plane repatriating Myanmar troops crashes in India Radio Free Asia 23 Jan 2024 -- A junta plane repatriating regime soldiers to Myanmar crashed in India on Tuesday, injuring at least eight of the crew onboard, refugees in Mizoram state told Radio Free Asia.
UNHCR: Urgent action needed to address dramatic rise in Rohingya deaths at sea UNHCR 23 Jan 2024 -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is alarmed by statistics revealing a surge in the number of desperate Rohingya refugees reportedly dying or going missing while taking risky boat journeys in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal during 2023.
Military clashes with ethnic cease-fire signatory in Myanmar's Shan state Radio Free Asia 22 Jan 2024 -- Clashes broke out Sunday in Myanmar's Shan state between the military and an ethnic army signatory of a national cease-fire, leading to the arrest of rebel officers, but both sides were quick to downplay the incident as a "misunderstanding."
Myanmar's Kachin army claims capture of 30 junta soldiers Radio Free Asia 22 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's Kachin Independence Army and allied People's Defense Forces claim they captured 30 junta soldiers during battles in the country's north, a Kachin army officer told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
The Myanmar military's air superiority is slipping away amid sanctions and opposition attacks Radio Free Asia 20 Jan 2024 -- One of the most important setbacks for Myanmar's military since an opposition alliance launched Operation 1027 last October has been the loss of three different aircraft: two jet trainers and an Mi-17 heavy-lift helicopter. An Mi-35 attack helicopter was also lost in 2023.
Myanmar Conflict Unveils Complex Dynamics of China's Interests VOA 20 Jan 2024 -- The rapid breakdown of a Beijing-mediated cease-fire in northern Myanmar has exposed the limits of Chinese influence in the region, even as it seeks to turn recent military gains by a rebel alliance to its advantage.
Clashes displace 50,000 from Myanmar's Paletwa township Radio Free Asia 19 Jan 2024 -- More than 50,000 people, or about half of the population of Paletwa township in western Myanmar's Chin state, have been forced to flee conflict in recent months, and are in urgent need of assistance, aid workers said Friday.
Two civilians die as fighting continues in northern Myanmar Radio Free Asia 19 Jan 2024 -- Fighting between the Kachin Independence Army and junta troops in northern Myanmar left two residents dead, locals told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Arakan Army wins control of 2 major junta camps in Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2024 -- Nearly 300 junta troops surrendered to the Arakan Army this week as the ethnic rebel group took control of a major Myanmar military encampment in northern Rakhine state, residents told Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar's army is forcing residents to join pro-junta militias Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's military is pressuring residents in the southwestern Bago region to join pro-junta militias, offering them incentives such as money and rice, forcing them to pay fines if they refuse and even threatening to destroy their villages if they don't comply, RFA Burmese has learned.
Residents flee Myanmar's delta as junta steps up recruitment efforts Radio Free Asia 18 Jan 2024 -- Villagers in southwest Myanmar are fleeing from forced military recruitment, locals told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. With the country's regime forces increasing the quota of recruits per village, some have begun hiding to avoid service.
Myanmar junta reaffirms support for China's Taiwan policy after elections Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's junta has reaffirmed its support for China's claims over Taiwan following the democratic island's general election over the weekend, in what observers say is a bid to curry favor with Beijing as it seeks international backing.
Human shields and airstrikes used in junta raids on Myanmar jade mining town Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2024 -- Junta troops abducted around 20 civilians to use as human shields from a village in northern Myanmar's Kachin state and are heavily bombarding the area as part of raids that have forced some 20,000 people to flee their homes since last week, residents said Wednesday.
Days after ceasefire, northern Myanmar sees more battles Radio Free Asia 17 Jan 2024 -- Fighting erupted between the junta and allied ethnic groups in northern Myanmar just days after the two sides agreed a ceasefire, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Three Brotherhood Alliance.
What role did China play in a rebel group's victory in northern Myanmar? Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2024 -- When the Three Brotherhood Alliance of rebel groups in Myanmar started a campaign against junta forces in the northern part of the country they chose a slogan designed to win support from a fourth potential ally: China.
Kachin army launches attack on junta infantry base in Myanmar's north Radio Free Asia 16 Jan 2024 -- An ethnic armed group attempted to capture a city in northeastern Myanmar, residents in the area told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday.
Myanmar's junta threatens to raze villages to bolster army numbers Radio Free Asia 15 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's military junta is recruiting locals across more than 50 villages in the country's central areas, locals told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
Setbacks to junta mount as Operation 1027 spreads in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 15 Jan 2024 -- With a wine toast, six Myanmar army brigadier generals negotiated the orderly withdrawal of nearly 2,400 troops and over 1,000 dependents from Laukkaing on Jan. 4, with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army.
Time is not on Myanmar junta's side, almost 3 years after coup Radio Free Asia 13 Jan 2024 -- In his televised New Year's address to the country, Myanmar's junta leader Min Aung Hlaing vowed to prioritize economic growth in 2024, apportioning all the blame for the country's sharp economic contraction on the opposition his coup ousted almost three years ago.
China mediates formal ceasefire deal between Myanmar military and armed groups Global Times 12 Jan 2024 -- Under China's meditation and facilitation efforts, a formal ceasefire agreement has been reached between the Myanmar military and three ethnic armed groups in northern Myanmar, namely the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, after the two sides held peace talks in the city of Kunming in Southwest China's Yunnan Province from Wednesday to Thursday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced on Friday.
More than 20,000 displaced by conflict in two Myanmar townships since new year Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- More than 10,000 civilians have fled military raids on Kanbalu township in Myanmar's Sagaing region in recent days, while fighting between junta troops and ethnic rebels has displaced another 10,000 from Chin state's Paletwa township since the new year, sources said Friday.
Ex-junta official says Shan state ceasefire is 'not sustainable' Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- Junta officials and a resistance alliance agreed to a temporary ceasefire during talks in China, a person attending the meeting told Radio Free Asia on Friday morning.
Laos concerned over scam ring influx amid China's Myanmar crackdown Radio Free Asia 12 Jan 2024 -- There has been growing concern in Laos over the potential influx and increase of scam operations pushed away from Myanmar amid the Chinese crackdown, according to a Vientiane-based diplomatic source on Friday.
Kokang handover of towns to Wa rebels seen as boon to Myanmar resistance Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2024 -- The handover to ethnic Wa fighters of two towns seized from the military by Kokang rebels last week is likely part of a bid to elicit their support in the fight against the junta and deals a blow to the regime's hold on power in northern Myanmar, observers said Thursday.
Over 20 face life sentences following Myanmar junta terrorism charges Radio Free Asia 11 Jan 2024 -- More than 20 people could face life in prison after junta officials charged them under Myanmar's counter-terrorism laws, residents told Radio Free Asia.
Civilians bear brunt of attacks in northern Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2024 -- More than 400 civilians clustered in four townships in northwestern Myanmar's Sagaing region have been killed over the past two years by airstrikes, artillery fire, landmines and murder by junta troops, according to data compiled by Radio Free Asia.
Fighting across western Myanmar kills 4 and displaces 45,000 Radio Free Asia 10 Jan 2024 -- At least three battles raged between Myanmar's junta and the Arakan Army across three western townships on Wednesday, locals told Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar junta asks ethnic armies, political parties to meet new ASEAN envoy Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's military junta has invited representatives from several ethnic armies and heads of political parties to meet with the new ASEAN special envoy during a planned visit this week. However, several key stakeholders will be absent from talks, including members of the opposition.
Myanmar resistance group launches attack on junta naval base Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2024 -- An ethnic army attacked a junta naval base in western Myanmar, locals told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday. The base is one of the largest in the country and located in part of an ongoing Chinese investment project.
Nearly 3 dozen political prisoners died in Myanmar jails in 2023 Radio Free Asia 09 Jan 2024 -- Some 34 political prisoners died in military junta's prisons across Myanmar in 2023, with 18 killed inside jails and 16 others dying due to a lack of medical treatment, a human rights monitoring group said Tuesday.
19 civilians massacred by junta forces in Sagaing region Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2024 -- Military junta soldiers massacred 19 civilians in two townships in northwest Myanmar's Sagaing region after detaining them, residents said, in the latest slaughter of civilians in the country's nearly three-year civil war.
Resistance groups claim capture of 2 Myanmar cities Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's Three Brotherhood Alliance claimed the capture of two cities, according to a statement released Monday. The resistance group announced they stormed two junta camps on Sunday, causing troops to withdraw.
Fire ravages Rohingya refugee camp leaving 3,500 children homeless and 1,500 without education UNICEF 08 Jan 2024 -- "UNICEF offers its deepest sympathies to the 5,000 Rohingya refugees - including 3,500 children - who sadly lost their homes in the fire that broke out in Camp 5 of the Cox's Bazar refugee camps on 7 January 2023.
Hopes and fears seen as Myanmar junta eases forex rules to raise foreign currency Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2024 -- At the end of last year, weeks before the third anniversary of the 2021 military coup that plunged Myanmar into chaos and war, the junta-controlled central bank took the rare step of freeing up its strict foreign exchange controls.
University student population has plunged 90% since coup Radio Free Asia 08 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's university student population has plummeted by more than 90% since the military's takeover nearly three years ago, according to statistics published by the junta's department of education.
China maintains close contact with parties amid internal conflicts in Myanmar near border Global Times 07 Jan 2024 -- China has maintained close communication with Myanmar over bilateral relations as well as the situation in northern Myanmar as conflicts on the Myanmar side of the China-Myanmar border region have caused injuries to several Chinese nationals.
Ethnic army overruns junta command center in Myanmar's Kokang region Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2024 -- Ethnic rebels have overrun a key military command center in northern Myanmar, taking control of the city of Laukkai and accepting the surrender of hundreds of soldiers, in what analysts called a stunning blow to the junta's grasp on power in the region.
Myanmar anti-junta groups claim capture of military camp in Shan state Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar anti-junta armed groups, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army and Mandalay People's Defense Force, say they have seized a junta military camp at a village in northern Shan state.
UN food aid boost too little to undo past cutbacks, Rohingya say Radio Free Asia 05 Jan 2024 -- Rohingya living in Bangladesh refugee camps said the partial restoration by the United Nations of food rations is inadequate because the lack of protein and nutritious food among basic items is having a significant impact on their well-being.
Myanmar's Annual Amnesty Criticized for Including Few Political Prisoners VOA 05 Jan 2024 -- In what has become a customary move to mark Myanmar's Independence Day on January 4, the military junta announced a mass amnesty, releasing nearly 10,000 prisoners. The action, however, was criticized by political and human rights activists who said it lacks political significance, with less than 100 political prisoners among those granted amnesty.
Landmines threaten more than half of Myanmar townships Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2024 -- People in more than half of Myanmar's townships are at risk getting injured or dying from landmines, which are used by both the military and ethnic rebel forces, a landmine monitoring group said.
Junta releases more than 9,600 prisoners Radio Free Asia 04 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's junta granted amnesty to 9,652 prisoners on Thursday, according to a statement released by the junta's State Administration Council said.
Burma Independence Day US Dept. of State 03 Jan 2024 -- On behalf of the United States of America, I reaffirm our commitment to the people of Burma as they mark the 76th Anniversary of the country's independence on January 4.
UN: Myanmar's war leaves 6 million children in need Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2024 -- As conflict rages on in Myanmar's northwestern Chin state, a mother who lives in the conflict area struggles to find food and medicine for her children.
Junta helicopter crashes following KIA attack in northern Myanmar Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2024 -- A junta helicopter went down in Waingmaw township of Myanmar's northern Kachin State after being fired on by the anti-junta Kachin Independence Army, or KIA, on Wednesday afternoon, according to a KIA spokesperson.
India repatriates 151 junta soldiers who fled fighting Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2024 -- India has repatriated 151 junta soldiers who entered the country last week to escape ethnic Rakhine fighters during clashes across the border in western Myanmar's Chin state, according to residents and media reports.
Military imprisoned about 6,600 anti-junta activists last year Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's ruling junta arrested and imprisoned thousands of anti-regime activists, members of People Defense Force resistance groups and soldiers from ethnic armies across the country in 2023, a continuation of nearly three years of turmoil since it seized political power and suppressed its opponents.
Myanmar shadow govt voices support for China's Taiwan policy Radio Free Asia 03 Jan 2024 -- Myanmar's shadow government has issued a New Year statement in support of China's claim of sovereignty over Taiwan, which analysts say is a symbolic move aimed at currying favor with Beijing as it vies with the ruling junta for recognition as the country's authority.
'End of junta is near' amid mass surrenders: Myanmar's shadow govt Radio Free Asia 02 Jan 2024 -- The end of the junta is near amid mass desertions and surrenders of junta troops, said Myanmar's shadow government on Monday.
Internal Conflict in Myanmar Proves to Be a Challenge for China VOA 02 Jan 2024 -- Regional experts believe China's recent efforts to mediate between the Myanmar junta and ethnic rebels on its northern border are motivated mainly by self-interest but unlikely to have a significant impact on the conflict.
WFP TO INCREASE FOOD VOUCHER VALUE FOR ALL ROHINGYA REFUGEES IN COX'S BAZAR WFP 01 Jan 2024 -- The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is gearing up to restore its critical food assistance for the entire Rohingya population in Cox's Bazar. Starting 1 January 2024, WFP will increase the value of its monthly food voucher from US$8 to US$10 per person.

NEWSLETTER

Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

January 2024 - Myanmar Special Weapons News