February 2024 - Myanmar Special Weapons News

Myanmar junta kills 12 after firing into crowded market Radio Free Asia 29 Feb 2024 -- Junta shelling of a crowded market in western Myanmar killed 12 people and critically injured 18 more on Thursday morning, rescue workers told Radio Free Asia.
Arakan Army says it will investigate and try captured junta soldiers Radio Free Asia 29 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar military personnel captured by the Arakan Army as part of its campaign against the junta will be investigated and tried — and could be sentenced to death for war crimes, sources told RFA this week.
Will Thailand's aid corridor with war-torn Myanmar make a difference? Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Thailand's plan to open a humanitarian aid corridor with war-torn Myanmar next month is facing skepticism from experts and aid workers, who say its limited scope and lack of engagement with ethnic minority forces means it is unlikely to have much impact.
Battle erupts on northern Myanmar university campus Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- A battle erupted on a university campus in northern Mynamar's Sagaing region earlier this week as ethnic Kachin and Chin fighters attacked junta troops based on the property, prompting the rebels to detain and eventually evacuate more than 130 civilians trapped in the crossfire, residents and fighters told Radio Free Asia.
Scores of captive Muslims forced to undergo military training at displaced camp Radio Free Asia 28 Feb 2024 -- Junta authorities are holding more than 100 mostly ethnic Rohingya Muslims captive at a camp for the displaced in western Myanmar's Rakhine state and threatening to kill them if they refuse to take part in military training, residents said Wednesday.
Displaced people in Rakhine state jumps 5-fold since truce ended Radio Free Asia 27 Feb 2024 -- Nearly 270,000 people have fled fighting in western Myanmar's Rakhine state over the past three months since the ethnic Arakan Army ended a truce with the military, causing the number of those displaced by conflict in the region to jump more than five-fold, according to the AA.
Operation 1027 moves Myanmar civil war closer to a tipping point Radio Free Asia 27 Feb 2024 -- Feb. 27 marks four months since the launch of Operation 1027, a game-changing offensive against the Myanmar military regime by the Three Brotherhood Alliance of ethnic armies in the north of the country.
Fourteen injured in Myanmar after jet attack in rebel territory Radio Free Asia 27 Feb 2024 -- Junta bombs injured 14 villagers in the country's west on Tuesday, residents told Radio Free Asia.
For Myanmar nationals, 'Friendship' bridge a lifeline Radio Free Asia 27 Feb 2024 -- For Myanmar nationals, the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge spanning the Moei river has offered a crucial link for more than two decades. Every day, people cross from Myanmar's Myawaddy township into Thailand's Mae Sot for work, school, trade and healthcare.
Kachin rebels, Myanmar junta troops fight for control of jade mining area Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2024 -- Fighting between the rebel Kachin Independence Army and the junta's military over control of Myanmar's largest jade mine - an important source of wealth - has intensified since the beginning of the year, according to local residents and political observers.
More than 100 youths held incommunicado after arrest en route to Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2024 -- More than 100 ethnic Rakhine youths detained by Myanmar's junta as they returned by bus to Rakhine state from the commercial capital Yangon last week remained incommunicado on Monday, with relatives expressing concern that they were forcibly recruited to join the military amid a rollout of the country's conscription law.
Six-day battle in central Myanmar kills 7 civilians Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2024 -- Ongoing junta shelling across central Myanmar has killed seven civilians as of Monday, locals told Radio Free Asia.
Shan state leader denies nuclear trafficking links Radio Free Asia 26 Feb 2024 -- A leader of Myanmar's ethnic Shan rebel group has denied any connections to the Japanese yakuza leader who was charged in New York with attempting to traffick weapons-grade nuclear materials.
Junta ramps up guest list inspections in Yangon and Mandalay Radio Free Asia 23 Feb 2024 -- Authorities in Myanmar's largest cities Yangon and Mandalay have ramped up housing checks in the two weeks since the junta enacted the country's military conscription law and are arresting any guests who have failed to register, residents said Friday.
Myanmar's military recruiting Rohingya at displaced camps Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's junta is offering freedom of movement to Rohingya Muslims restricted to camps for the displaced in Rakhine state as part of a bid to entice them into military service amid the nationwide rollout of a conscription law, according to sources in the region.
Report: 1,500 arrested in Myanmar since 2022 in social media crackdown Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar junta authorities have arrested and jailed nearly 1,500 people they say posted anti-junta messages on Facebook, TikTok and Telegram over the last two years, research group Data for Myanmar has found.
Fleeing conscription, over 160 Myanmar nationals in custody at Thai borders Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- Thai officials have arrested 167 people fleeing Myanmar since the country enacted its conscription laws, a migrant assistance organization told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
Two-month travel ban extended in western Myanmar Radio Free Asia 22 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's regime extended a travel ban in a conflict-ridden coastal area, locals told Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
Pro-junta 'drone test' injures 13 children in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 21 Feb 2024 -- A drone test by pro-junta militia injured 13 children in Myanmar, residents told Radio Free Asia.
Myanmar: Mandatory conscription shows junta's 'desperation', rights expert says UN News 21 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's military government is becoming an even greater threat to civilians following the imposition of a mandatory draft this month, the UN independent expert on human rights in the country said on Wednesday.
Shelling kills 7 displaced people in Myanmar, including a minor Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2024 -- Junta shelling killed seven civilians in a heavily disputed territory of Myanmar, an ethnic army claimed in a Tuesday statement.
Junta arrests 600 civilians after their arrival at 2 Rakhine airports Radio Free Asia 20 Feb 2024 -- Junta troops arrested around 600 civilians after their flights from Yangon landed at two airports in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, according to family members and sources with knowledge of the situation, who said the military is holding them on suspicion of attempting to join the armed resistance.
Airstrikes kill 6, including children, in Myanmar's Kachin state Radio Free Asia 19 Feb 2024 -- An onslaught of airstrikes in northern Myanmar killed six civilians and injured 13 more, rescue workers told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
Myanmar Junta Enforces Conscription Law Amid Backlash, Exodus VOA 19 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's military junta is going forward with a mandatory draft set to begin in mid-April, but critics say doing so has the potential to negatively impact the economy and the military itself.
Symbol of Myanmar's democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi's house set for March auction Radio Free Asia 18 Feb 2024 -- Many Burmese consider it a symbol of the country's democracy movement, where Aung San Suu Kyi lived under house arrest for almost 15 years. They recall her giving political speeches from behind its fence.
Thailand Braces for Refugee Influx After Myanmar Junta Announces Conscription Law VOA 18 Feb 2024 -- Thailand is bracing for an influx of refugees after Myanmar's military recently announced a conscription law.
300 Myanmar junta troops who fled attack return from Bangladesh Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Some 300 members of a junta military unit and a border police force who fled to Bangladesh during an attack by the rebel Arakan Army have been repatriated to Myanmar, according to several Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Junta's top cops to lead conscription drive Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's junta has appointed police chiefs to oversee conscription across the country as the military regime proceeds with its speedy implementation of a draft law enacted earlier this week.
Two political prisoners killed during junta escort, Myanmar resistance group claims Radio Free Asia 16 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar junta troops shot dead two political prisoners, including one high-profile activist, a resistance group told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Young people scramble to leave Myanmar as military conscription looms Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2024 -- Young people in Myanmar's commercial capital are lining up outside the Thai embassy to apply for visas and looking for other ways to leave the country following an announcement from the junta regime that it will call up conscripts for mandatory military service.
Arakan Army escalates assaults in Myanmar's west Radio Free Asia 15 Feb 2024 -- An ethnic army in Myanmar launched an attack on yet another major city in the country's west, with the state's capital close behind, according to locals on Thursday.
Offshoot of ethnic Mon group joins fight against Myanmar's junta regime Radio Free Asia 14 Feb 2024 -- An offshoot of an ethnic Mon organization announced on Wednesday that it will no longer negotiate with Myanmar's military and will join with anti-junta forces in the fight against the regime.
Myanmar youths go into hiding to avoid getting forced into battle Radio Free Asia 14 Feb 2024 -- With Myanmar's junta plowing ahead toward a full-scale draft, young men say they are staying indoors to avoid getting dragooned into the army to fight in a war in which the military is losing ground and men.
Junta shelling of Rakhine village kills 12 people, leaves 32 wounded Radio Free Asia 13 Feb 2024 -- Four straight days of artillery shelling of a village in western Myanmar's Rakhine state left 12 people dead and 32 wounded as inhabitants hunkered down between positions taken by military junta troops and the rebel ethnic Arakan Army.
Emboldened by draft law, pro-junta militias press civilians into taking up arms Radio Free Asia 13 Feb 2024 -- Pro-junta militias in northern Myanmar's Kachin state are grabbing anyone they can find and forcing them to take up arms against resistance fighters after the military regime announced it would begin enforcing a conscription law over the weekend, residents said.
Myanmar junta kills 4 civilians in tea shop shelling Radio Free Asia 13 Feb 2024 -- Junta shelling killed four civilians and injured seven others in Myanmar's Sagaing region, locals told Radio Free Asia on Tuesday.
Young Burmese dismiss junta military draft order Radio Free Asia 12 Feb 2024 -- Young Burmese called up to join the military under a conscription law said they would team up with resistance fighters or leave Myanmar rather than serve as soldiers for the ruling junta that seized power in a coup d'état three years ago.
In Letter From Prison, Former Myanmar Leader Writes of Suffering VOA 10 Feb 2024 -- The day Kim Aris received a letter from his mother, Aung San Suu Kyi, marked a significant moment after almost three years of silence. Speaking on February 2 in an interview with VOA via Zoom from his home in England, Aung San Suu Kyi's youngest son expressed concern about his mother's health in prison.
Border guards who fled Myanmar tell of losing contact with commanders Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar border guards and soldiers fled into Bangladesh earlier this week after losing contact with their commanders during fierce fighting in Rakhine state, an interpreter present during their conversation with Bangladesh officials told BenarNews on Friday.
Arakan Army takes control of another police station in Myanmar's west Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2024 -- The Arakan Army on Friday captured a junta-manned police station in western Rakhine state's Rathedaung township - the latest victory by the ethnic army over forces affiliated with Myanmar's junta regime, sources told Radio Free Asia.
Thailand to set up safe zone, deliver aid to Myanmar border towns Radio Free Asia 09 Feb 2024 -- Thailand will establish a humanitarian safe zone and deliver aid to displaced people living on its border with wartorn Myanmar, the Thai foreign minister said Friday, a move it hopes will achieve the larger goal of establishing dialogue between the military junta, ethnic armed groups and the civilian government-in-exile.
One-third of Myanmar population in need of aid, says UN Radio Free Asia 08 Feb 2024 -- The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in Myanmar has soared to more than 18 million, or one-third of the population, from just over 1 million prior to the military coup, the United Nations announced this week, as the junta entered its fourth year in power.
MHA decides to scrap Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and maintain the demographic structure of India's North Eastern States bordering Myanmar India PIB 08 Feb 2024 -- Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar to ensure the internal security of the country and to maintain the demographic structure of India's North Eastern States bordering Myanmar
Junta troops seize over 300 villagers in central Myanmar Radio Free Asia 07 Feb 2024 -- One woman died and over 300 villagers were detained after a junta raid in central Myanmar, residents and an armed resistance member told Radio Free Asia on Wednesday.
Arakan Army captures two junta battalions in Rakhine state Radio Free Asia 07 Feb 2024 -- The Arakan Army has captured two key military units in western Myanmar's Rakhine state, giving it effective control of Minbya township and putting it in a position to challenge junta control of the state capital, according to an ethnic rebel alliance and sources in the region.
Children and teachers killed in air strikes on schools in eastern Myanmar UNICEF 07 Feb 2024 -- Statement by Debora Comini, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and the Pacific
UNICEF condemns air strike on schools in Myanmar UN News 07 Feb 2024 -- The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has strongly condemned Monday's deadly airstrike on two schools in eastern Myanmar resulting in the deaths of at least four children and two teachers, with many more left injured.
Myanmar Fighting Raises Hopes, Fears in Bangladesh VOA 07 Feb 2024 -- Growing apprehension is palpable in Bangladesh as the civil war in neighboring Myanmar inches closer to its border, with two deaths reported Tuesday when stray shells from Myanmar landed in a village in the hilly Bandarban District.
Message to the Congress on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in and in Relation to Burma The White House 07 Feb 2024
Notice on the Continuation of the National Emergency With Respect to the Situation in and in Relation to Burma The White House 07 Feb 2024
Myanmar resistance army deports nearly 60 Chinese nationals Radio Free Asia 06 Feb 2024 -- An armed resistance group in northern Myanmar handed over nearly 60 Chinese nationals accused of online fraud and owning illegal weapons, according to the army's statement on Monday night.
Anti-junta forces claim to have downed 7 military aircraft since coup Radio Free Asia 06 Feb 2024 -- Since Myanmar's coup three years ago, anti-junta forces claim to have shot down at least seven military fighter jets and helicopters - three in January alone - a serious blow to the military increasingly relying on its advantage in the air against underequipped rebel groups making gains on the ground.
Arakan rebels in Myanmar's Rakhine seize outpost on Bangladesh border Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2024 -- The anti-junta Arakan Army seized an outpost manned by the military-affiliated Border Guard Force along western Myanmar's border with Bangladesh on Sunday, confiscating arms and equipment, according to residents and an alliance of ethnic rebels.
Junta airstrike on school in Kayah state kills 4 children Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2024 -- A junta airstrike on an elementary school in eastern Myanmar's Kayah state left four children dead and 10 others injured on Monday, according to members of a local anti-junta People's Defense Force.
Two children injured by landmine blast in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 05 Feb 2024 -- Two minors are in critical condition after stepping on a landmine, residents told Radio Free Asia on Monday.
We strongly condemn the ongoing violence harming civilians in Myanmar: joint statement at the UN Security Council UK FCDO 05 Feb 2024 -- Joint statement by the United Kingdom, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Republic of Korea, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the United States.
Nearly 100 Myanmar Border Guards Flee to Bangladesh VOA 05 Feb 2024 -- At least 95 Myanmar border guards have fled to Bangladesh to escape the mounting fighting between Myanmar's junta and rebel forces, according to a Bangladeshi border guard spokesman.
Myanmar opposition releases plan for post-junta constitution, governance Radio Free Asia 03 Feb 2024 -- On the eve of the third anniversary of the Myanmar military's coup d'etat, the opposition National Unity Government and three allied ethnic armies issued a joint statement that outlined six objectives of the Spring Revolution, as the resistance is known, and the principles for establishing a post-junta federal democracy.
Three arrested over anti-junta 'silent strike' in Mandalay Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Authorities in Myanmar's second city Mandalay have arrested at least three people for taking part in a "silent strike" protesting the third anniversary of military rule, according to residents.
Setbacks raise question of whether Myanmar's leader can maintain control Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Recent battlefield setbacks and little apparent public support are raising the question of whether the leader of Myanmar's junta can expect to maintain influence within the military and his hold over the country, several observers told Radio Free Asia this week.
Myanmar's junta storms 3 townships in bid for northern town Radio Free Asia 02 Feb 2024 -- Six civilians are dead after junta air raids and maneuvers in several townships in Myanmar's Sagaing region, residents told Radio Free Asia on Friday.
Q&A: UN Envoy Exposes Russia's Role in Myanmar Coup, Calls for More International Support VOA 02 Feb 2024 -- In an interview at VOA this week marking the third anniversary of the military coup in Myanmar, Tom Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, spoke about the worsening humanitarian crisis there.
INTERVIEW: 'After three years ... it is impossible for these dictators to win' Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2024 -- Burmese physician and pro-democracy activist Tayzar San has been a leading figure in Myanmar's 'Spring Revolution,' a series of protests that began in early 2021 in opposition to the coup d'état that ousted the elected government. He organized the first public street protest against the coup in Mandalay, sparking a string of similar peaceful demonstrations across the country.
Third anniversary of military coup marked with 'silent strike' across Myanmar Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2024 -- People in Myanmar staged a nationwide silent strike on Thursday, forgoing work and staying inside their homes to mark the third anniversary of the coup d'etat that saw the military seize control of the country.
Three Years Post-Coup, Myanmar's Crisis Deepens: 2.6 Million Displaced, $994 Million Sought for 2024 Aid VOA 01 Feb 2024 -- Three years after the February 1, 2021, coup, military rule in Myanmar has created a growing humanitarian crisis with 2.6 million people displaced and more than 18 million in need. In response, humanitarian organizations are seeking a record $994 million to support relief efforts in Myanmar in 2024, according to United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
Ongoing concerns about situation in Myanmar three years after coup Government of Norway 01 Feb 2024 -- 'The situation in Myanmar is deeply worrying. Three years after the military coup, the country is contending with a humanitarian crisis that has led to widespread human suffering,' said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
January sees 23 landmine injuries in Myanmar Radio Free Asia 01 Feb 2024 -- Landmines have killed one and injured 22 others across Myanmar's north in January alone, locals told Radio Free Asia Thursday.
Myanmar military-linked enterprises and infantry divisions sanctioned 3 years on from the military coup UK FCDO 01 Feb 2024 -- The UK has imposed fresh sanctions on Myanmar military-linked entities and infantry divisions to mark 3 years since the military coup.
Further sanctions on the Myanmar military regime Australia MFA 01 Feb 2024 -- The Australian Government has today imposed additional targeted sanctions on five entities with direct links to the Myanmar military regime.
Myanmar extends state of emergency for 6 more months People's Daily 01 Feb 2024 -- Myanmar's National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on Wednesday extended the state of emergency in the Southeast Asian country for six more months, the council's information team said.

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February 2024 - Myanmar Special Weapons News