Showing posts with label myanmar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label myanmar. Show all posts

Friday, November 10, 2023

After A String Of Defeats Myanmar's Ruling Junta Now Facing A Serious Threat From Rebel Groups

 

Washington Post: Myanmar rebels claim major offensive, which analysts say threatens junta 

SINGAPORE — Rebel groups in Myanmar say they have scored a series of battlefield victories against the ruling junta, mounting what security analysts believe is the biggest threat to the military’s grip over the country since ousting a civilian government and seizing control in a 2021 coup. 

The surprise offensive, which started in the north, has displaced tens of thousands of people along Myanmar’s border with China, according to the United Nations. The campaign has disrupted businesses along the border, irking Beijing and straining the military’s relationship with one of its few remaining allies.  

Read more .... 

After A String Of Defeats Myanmar's Ruling Junta Now Facing A Serious Threat From Rebel Groups 

A turning point in Myanmar as army suffers big losses -- BBC  

Myanmar at risk of breaking apart, junta-backed leader says -- France 24  

Myanmar military regime says northern fighting could break country apart -- Al Jazeera 

Fighting in northern Myanmar displaces almost 50,000 civilians, UN says -- France 24  

UN says 50000 civilians displaced in northern Myanmar -- The Independent  

About 90,000 people displaced by Myanmar conflict: UN -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar president: country at risk of breaking apart due to clashes -- Reuters  

Losing ground to rebel alliance, Myanmar junta faces biggest test since coup -- Reuters

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Fighting Intensifies Between Myanmar's Junta And Ethnic Rebel Groups Near The Shared Border With China

 

ABC News Australia/AFP: Fighting between Myanmar's junta and ethnic rebel groups near shared border with China displaces thousands  

Thousands of people are newly displaced, with some crossing into China, as fighting intensifies between Myanmar's junta and ethnic rebel groups in areas near the border. 

The junta launched a second day of air strikes on Wednesday, bombing territory in the northernmost Kachin state controlled by ethnic armed group Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a rebel spokesperson told AFP. 

Since Friday, the junta also has been battling an alliance of ethnic rebel groups across the neighbouring north-eastern Shan state.  

Read more .... 

Fighting Intensifies Between Myanmar's Junta And Ethnic Rebel Groups Near The Shared Border With China  

Sharp uptick in fighting in Myanmar, UN humanitarians report -- UN News  

Ethnic armed alliance captures 3 cities on China-Myanmar border -- RFA  

Myanmar rebels seize vital border town as China calls for ceasefire -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar's army chief vows counterattacks on armed groups that captured northeastern border towns -- AP  

Myanmar ethnic minorities claim gains in junta offensive -- France 24  

Myanmar military junta vows to hit back at armed groups' offensive -- France 24  

Northern offensive brings ‘new energy’ to Myanmar’s anti-coup resistance -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar: The underreported deadly conflict in Karenni state -- DW

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Myanmar Military Confirms Reports That It Launched An Air Raid That Killed Over 100 In Central Myanmar

 

CNN: Screaming people and bodies everywhere: The horrific aftermath of Myanmar junta airstrike that killed 133  

Relatives were still recovering the charred bodies and limbs of victims killed in a military airstrike on a village in central Myanmar Wednesday, a day after one of the deadliest attacks since the junta seized power in a coup two years ago. 

An eyewitness, who hid in a tunnel during the attack, described a scene of horror as he approached the site of the military airstrike – of children dying, women screaming, and bodies heaped on the ground. 

At least 133 people, including women and children, were killed after Myanmar’s military junta bombed Kanbalu township in the central Sagaing region on Tuesday, the human rights minister of the ousted shadow National Unity Government Aung Myo Min told CNN.  

Read more .... 

Myanmar Military Confirms Reports That It Launched An Air Raid That Killed Over 100 In Central Myanmar  

Myanmar Air strike: 100 feared killed in airstrike on Myanmar village -- Times of India  

Myanmar: Dozens killed in air strike on remote village -- DW  

Myanmar military confirms air raid that killed dozens in Sagaing -- Al Jazeera  

'Senseless, barbaric, brutal': Children 'among 100 dead' as Myanmar military targets village even -- SKY News  

Myanmar airstrike on civilians sparks global outcry as witnesses describe attack -- The Guardian

Monday, March 27, 2023

Myanmar Military Pledges Decisive Action Against Its Opponents

 

BBC: Myanmar army chief vows to crush resistance in rare speech 

The pageantry of Myanmar's annual military parade did little to mask the sinister message - the country's armed forces won't stop fighting those opposing their rule, whatever the cost. 

A civil war has engulfed the country since a military coup in 2021. 

The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, and more than a million have been displaced. 

But General Min Aung Hlaing, the head of the military government, showed no signs of backing down in a rare speech. 

The regime, he said, would deal decisively with what he described as "acts of terror" by armed resistance groups. And, he added, countries which have condemned his coup - supporters of terror, he branded them - were wrong and should join the military in shaping its own form of democracy. 

Read more .... 

Myanmar Military Pledges Decisive Action Against Its Opponents 

Myanmar army leader calls for decisive action to crush foes -- AP  

Myanmar junta chief vows no let up in crackdown, then polls -- RFI/AFP  

Myanmar junta chief vows to crush opposition -- DW  

Myanmar junta chief vows continued crackdown, then elections -- CNA  

Myanmar military pledges decisive action against opponents -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar junta throws huge military parade days after new US sanctions -- CNN

Thursday, January 26, 2023

UN Report Says Myanmar Opium Cultivation Surging Under Military Rule

BBC: Opium production in Myanmar surges to nine-year high 

The production of opium increased sharply in Myanmar, rising to a nine-year high, according to the UN. 

It touched nearly 795 metric tonnes in 2022, nearly double the production in 2021 - 423 metric tonnes - the year of the military coup. 

The UN believes this is driven by economic hardship and insecurity, along with higher global prices for the opium resin that is used to make heroin. 

The coup plunged much of Myanmar into a bloody civil war that still continues. 

"Economic, security and governance disruptions that followed the military takeover of February 2021 have converged, and farmers in remote, often conflict-prone areas in northern Shan and border states, have had little option but to move back to opium," said Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: Afghanistan's opium production is also up .... Afghanistan: Opium cultivation up nearly a third, warns UNODC (UN News). 

UN Report Says Myanmar Opium Cultivation Surging Under Military Rule  

Myanmar opium cultivation surged 33% amid violence, UN finds -- AP  

Myanmar opium cultivation surging under military rule - UN report -- Reuters  

Myanmar opium farming booming after coup: UN -- AFP  

Opium cultivation surges since Myanmar military seized power: UN -- Al Jazeera

Monday, October 24, 2022

Myanmar Airstrike On Music Festival Kills 60

 

Daily Mail: Singers and musicians among at least 60 people killed by military junta airstrikes on Myanmar music festival 

* Footage posted online showed scenes of devastation at the site of the festival, reportedly attacked by two jets 

* The festival was celebrating anniversary celebration of the Kachin ethnic group's main political organisation 

* Local reports said at least 60 people were killed and more were injured, but true figure could be higher 

* If confirmed, the casualties represent most deadly attack by military junta since seizing power in 2021 

 * The military coup ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi, who was thrown in prison 

Air strikes by Myanmar's military junta on a music festival killed dozens of people on Sunday, members of an ethnic minority group and rescue workers said. 

Singers and musicians were among those killed in the strikes apparently targeting an anniversary celebration of the Kachin ethnic group's main political organisation, in the country's north. 

The attack, reported to have been carried out by two Myanmar military jets, comes three days before Southeast Asian foreign ministers are to hold a special meeting in Indonesia to discuss widening violence in Myanmar.  

Read more .... 

Myanmar Airstrike On Music Festival Kills 60  

Myanmar airstrike kills 60 people at concert, says Kachin separatist group -- The Guardian  

Myanmar army air raids on ethnic rebel group concert ‘kill 60’ -- Al Jazeera

Singers and soldiers among over 60 killed at celebration in Myanmar military air attack, ethnic group says -- AP  

Burma – At least 60 killed after Burma’s military junta attacks separatist group event -- News 360  

Dozens of people killed by military government airstrikes on Myanmar concert, Kachin rebels say -- SKY News  

Scores killed in Myanmar military air strikes on ethnic rebel group -- France 24  

Air strike during Myanmar concert kills at least 50 - media, opposition -- Reuters

Monday, July 25, 2022

Myanmar Regime Executes 4 Democracy Activists In First Executions Since 1988

 

The Guardian: Myanmar junta executes democracy activists in first such killings in decades 

Democracy figures, including former lawmaker in Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, executed after being accused of carrying out ‘terror acts’ 

Myanmar’s junta has executed four prisoners including a former politician and a veteran activist, drawing shock and revulsion at the country’s first use of capital punishment in decades.

Junta-controlled media reported on Monday that four men, including Phyo Zeya Thaw, a rapper and former lawmaker from Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, and the prominent democracy activist Kyaw Min Yu, known as Jimmy, had been executed. 

They were accused of conspiring to commit terror acts and were sentenced to death in January in closed trials.  

Read more ....  

WNU Editor: The Myanmar regime is sending a very clear message that dissent will not be tolerated. 

Myanmar Regime Executes 4 Democracy Activists In First Executions Since 1988  

Myanmar executes ex-lawmaker, 3 other political prisoners -- AP News  

Myanmar: Military executes four democracy activists including ex-MP -- BBC  

Myanmar junta puts four democracy activists to death in first executions in decades -- ABC News Australia  

Myanmar executes democracy activists in new turn against dissent -- France 24  

Myanmar junta executes 4 democracy activists -- DW  

Myanmar junta executes leading democracy activists -- CNN  

Myanmar junta kills 4 democracy activists in first executions since 1988 -- Axios  

Myanmar's executed activists: Phyo Zeya Thaw and Ko Jimmy -- BBC  

Who were the four people executed by Myanmar’s junta? -- The Guardian

Monday, January 10, 2022

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Has Been Sentenced To Four More Years In Prison

 

Daily Mail: Ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four more years in prison for illegally importing walkie-talkies and violating Covid restrictions 

* Aung San Suu Kyi has been sentenced to four more years in jail in Myanmar 

* Democratic leader found guilty of illegally importing walkie talkies and violating Covid rules by holding political rallies 

* She had already been sentenced to four years for incitement against military leaders and a separate charge of breaking Covid rules 

* Comes a year after generals seized power from elected leaders in a coup 

A court in Myanmar has sentenced ousted leader Aung San Suu Kyi to four more years in prison after finding her guilty of illegally importing and possessing walkie-talkies and violating coronavirus restrictions, a legal official said. 

Suu Kyi was convicted last month on two other charges and given a four-year prison sentence, which was then halved by the head of the military-installed government. 

The cases are among about a dozen brought against the 76-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate since the army seized power last February, ousting her elected government.  

Read more .... 

Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi Has Been Sentenced To Four More Years In Prison  

Aung San Suu Kyi: Ousted Myanmar leader jailed for another four years -- BBC  

Myanmar court sentences Aung San Suu Kyi to four more years in prison -- France 24  

Aung San Suu Kyi handed four-year jail term in military ‘courtroom circus’ -- The Guardian  

Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar jails former leader for 4 more years -- DW  

Aung San Suu Kyi: Myanmar's deposed leader to serve four more years in prison -- SKY News 

Aung San Suu Kyi sentenced to four years in prison -- CNN

Monday, December 27, 2021

UN 'Horrified' By Reports Of Massacre Of Civilians In Myanmar

 

CNN: 'Horrified' UN official condemns reported killings in Myanmar 

A senior United Nations official said he was horrified by the reported killing of at least 35 civilians in Myanmar and called on authorities to investigate the incident that opposition activists blamed on government soldiers. 

The ruling military has not commented on the incident near Mo So village in Kayah State on Friday and junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun could not be reached for comment. 

State media reported that soldiers had fired on and killed an unspecified number of "terrorists with weapons" from forces fighting the military government. 

State media did not say anything about civilian casualties.

Read more .... 

UN 'Horrified' By Reports Of Massacre Of Civilians In Myanmar  

 UN 'horrified' by reports of massacre of civilians in Myanmar -- AFP  

UN ‘horrified’ by massacre of dozens of civilians in Myanmar -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar army kills more than 30 on Christmas Eve ‘massacre’: human rights group -- NYPost  

Photos of aftermath of massacre in Myanmar fuel outrage -- AP  

UN Special Envoy calls for New Year’s ceasefire in Myanmar -- UN News

Sunday, August 1, 2021

Myanmar Military Promises Elections In Two Years. Extends State Of Emergency

 

The Guardian: Myanmar junta leader declares himself PM as election timeline stalled 

Six months after seizing power, Min Aung Hlaing extends coup with promise of elections in 2023 Myanmar‘s military leader has declared himself prime minister and said he would lead the country under the nation’s state of emergency until elections are held in two years’ time – vastly extending the timeline given when the military deposed Aung San Suu Kyi six months ago. 

“We must create conditions to hold a free and fair multiparty general election,” Gen Min Aung Hlaing said on Sunday during a recorded televised address. 

“We have to make preparations. I pledge to hold the multiparty general election without fail.”  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: This announcement from the junta is going to placate no one .... Myanmar's anger simmers, six months after military takeover (Nikkei Asia). 

More News On Myanmar's Military Promising Elections In Two Years  

Myanmar: State of emergency extended with coup leader as PM -- BBC 

Six months after coup, Myanmar's military ruler promises elections by August 2023 -- France 24  

Myanmar military extends state of emergency, promises vote in 2 years -- CBC/AP  

Myanmar military ruler promises elections, says ready to work with ASEAN -- CNA

Sunday, June 20, 2021

UN General Assembly Calls For Arms Embargo Against Myanmar

 

France 24: UN General Assembly calls for halt of weapons to Myanmar 

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including leader Aung San Suu Kyi. 

The General Assembly adopted a resolution with the support of 119 countries some four months after the military overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected government in a coup. 

Belarus requested the text be put to a vote and was the only country to oppose it, while 36 abstained, including China and Russia. The remaining 37 General Assembly members did not vote.  

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: Not everyone is happy with this UN resolution .... Russia Slams UNGA Resolution on Myanmar as Politicized (Sputnik). More here .... China calls for resolving disputes in Myanmar through political dialogue (CGTN). 

Update: There are growing concerns that Myanmar may slip into all-out civil war .... Myanmar sinks deeper into civil war, as anti-army groups multiply (The Economist) 

More News On The UN General Assembly Calling For An Arms Embargo Against Myanmar  

Myanmar coup: UN calls for arms embargo against military -- BBC  

United Nations condemns Myanmar coup and calls for halt of weapon supplies to junta -- ABC News (Australia)  

Cambodia among 36 countries which abstained in vote against UN calls for member states to ‘prevent flow of arms’ into Myanmar -- Khmer Times  

The UN has condemned Myanmar’s military coup. Will that matter? -- VOX

Sunday, April 11, 2021

Scores Killed On Friday In Myanmar Crackdown On Protesters

 

 Reuters: Myanmar security forces with rifle grenades kill over 80 protesters - monitoring group 

 (Reuters) - Myanmar security forces fired rifle grenades at protesters in a town near Yangon on Friday, killing more than 80 people, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) monitoring group and a domestic news outlet said. 

Details of the death toll in the town of Bago, 90 km (55 miles) northeast of Yangon, were not initially available because security forces piled up bodies in the Zeyar Muni pagoda compound and cordoned off the area, according to witnesses and domestic media outlets. 

The AAPP and Myanmar Now news outlet said on Saturday that 82 people were killed during the protest against the Feb. 1 military coup in the country. 

Firing started before dawn on Friday and continued into the afternoon, Myanmar Now said. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: These numbers are only going to increase .... Myanmar's post-coup civilian death toll climbs past 700 (France 24). The video below is probably accurate in its warning that Myanmar is on the verge of a major civil war. 

 

More News On The Unrest In Myanmar  

Reports: Myanmar forces kill 82 in single day in city -- AP  

Myanmar security forces reportedly kill more than 80 anti-coup protesters -- ABC News (Australia) 

Myanmar's security forces kill 82 in Bago: report -- DW  

Myanmar coup: 'Dozens killed' in military crackdown in Bago -- BBC  

Doctors under fire as Myanmar military targets efforts to aid injured protesters -- The Guardian  

10 Myanmar police killed in attack by ethnic armies: Reports -- Al Jazeera  

Myanmar's UN envoy urges 'strong action' against junta as crackdown continues -- France 24  

Myanmar UN envoy urges no-fly zone as over 80 killed -- Al Jazeera

Myanmar's military has underestimated the strength, will and bravery of its own people -- Clarissa Ward, CNN

Sunday, April 4, 2021

Protesters Myanmar Continue To Defy Its Military Rulers

 


(CNN)At least 550 people have been killed by Myanmar's military in the aftermath of a coup which overthrew the elected government on February 1, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), an advocacy group based in neighboring Thailand. 

Security officials have responded to dissent with a brutal crackdown and detained thousands, including at least 11 people arrested in Myanmar's biggest city Yangon Friday, minutes after being interviewed by CNN journalists. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: With Myanmar's rebel groups now backing the protests .... Ten Myanmar rebel groups back anti-coup protests, condemn junta crackdown (France 24), there is a real possibility that this may happen .... Is Myanmar the new Syria? Rising violence threatens a repeat tragedy (Simon Tisdall, The Guardian) 

 More News On The Unrest In Myanmar 





Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Myanmar Rebel Groups Threaten To Fight With Protesters If The Violence Continues

 


 * Three armed groups warn they will fight with protesters if the violence continues 
 * Military has fired live rounds and tear gas in a bloody crackdown on protesters
 * A watchdog for political prisoners says it knows of at least 510 civilian deaths 

The death toll in Myanmar's military crackdown has passed 500 - prompting rebel groups to threaten they will shoot back at the junta if the bloodshed does not come to a stop, raising fears of a civil war. 

Daily rallies since the military seized power on February 1 have been met with tear gas, rubber bullets and live rounds in a bloody crackdown by the generals. 

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said it had confirmed a total of 510 civilian deaths but warned the true toll was probably significantly higher. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: This is exactly how civil wars start. 

 More News On Myanmar's Rebel Groups Threatening To Join The Protesters To Wage War Against The Military 




Monday, March 29, 2021

Myanmar Killings Continue As Thousands Take to the Streets To Protest

 


 Thousands of people have reportedly fled across the border from Myanmar into neighboring Thailand after the bloodiest weekend the country has seen since the February 1 military coup. 

The U.S. and other countries have condemned the military junta running Myanmar, with the Biden administration announcing a suspension of trade on Monday, but the generals appear undeterred, likely bolstered by continued backing from Russia and China. 

As Myanmar's commanders celebrated the country's annual Armed Forces Day with a parade of military hardware — joined by senior officials from Moscow and Beijing — they declared open season on the country's civilians. 

Read more .... 

 More News On The Violent Protests In Myanmar 











Sunday, March 28, 2021

Global Condemnation On Yesterday's Bloodbath In Myanmar

 


Defence chiefs from a dozen countries on Sunday jointly condemned the bloodbath in Myanmar a day earlier, when at least 90 people – including several children – were killed after security forces opened fire on anti-coup protesters. 

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the generals ousted and detained civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, triggering mass protests demanding a return to democracy. 

Read more .... 

 More News On The Unrest In Myanmar 









Saturday, March 27, 2021

At Least 114 People Killed By Security Forces In Myanmar As Violence Continues To Escalate

 


 * More than 106 protestors, including a boy, five, have been shot and killed by Myanmar security forces today 
 * Took to streets in Yangon, Mandalay and other towns, defying warning they could be shot in 'head and back' 
 * Has been branded 'day of shame' as the deaths marks on of the bloodiest days since the coup began 
 * WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES Myanmar's military junta massacred a five-year-old boy and more than 100 protestors as troops opened fire on pro-democracy protestors. 

It comes after state television warned demonstrators they were 'in danger of getting shot to the head and back' on Friday. 

Protesters against the February 1 military coup came out on the streets of Yangon, Mandalay and other towns, defying they warning that they could be shot, while the country's generals celebrated Armed Forces Day. 


 More News On The Violent Unrest In Myanmar 










Monday, March 22, 2021

EU Imposes Sanctions On Myanmar's Military

 


German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the EU could not avoid imposing sanctions on individuals responsible for violence in Myanmar. He said the number of "murders" in the country has "reached an unbearable extent." 

The European Union approved sanctions against individuals tied to the Myanmar coup on Monday, at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels. 
The sanctions mark the most significant EU response so far to the coup. At least 250 people have been killed so far in violent crackdowns on the ongoing anti-junta protests. 

Read more .... 

 More News On The EU Imposing Sanctions On Myanmar's Military 



Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Unrest In Myanmar -- News Updates March 16, 2021

 


Hundreds of mourners gather in townships across Yangon after dozens of people were killed in recent days 

At least 149 people have been killed in Myanmar since the 1 February coup, including five in custody, a UN human rights official has said, as mass funerals were held for dozens of those shot dead by security forces in recent days. 

The revised estimate of the death toll follows the bloodiest day in the six weeks since the military’s takeover, with 74 protesters killed on Sunday followed by 20 people the next day. 

Mass funerals were held across Yangon on Tuesday, with hundreds of mourners gathering in different townships to say goodbye to those killed. 

Read more .... 

 Unrest In Myanmar -- News Updates March 16, 2021 








Sunday, March 14, 2021

Myanmar Declares Martial Law In Two Districts After Chinese Factories Were Set On Fire And Dozens Of Protesters Killed (Update)

 


Myanmar security forces killed 51 protesters in an industrial suburb of Yangon after Chinese-funded factories were torched on Sunday, the bloodiest day in six weeks of protests against the junta that deposed the elected government of leader Aung San Suu Kyi, civic and aid groups said. 

The 51 deaths occurred at Hlaingthaya township in Yangon, and another 12 were killed in other townships of Myanmar’s commercial hub and former capital, home to 5.4 million people. 

At least 24 bodies had been taken to Hlaingthaya Hospital and other remains were kept in family homes, the aid groups said, requesting that their names be withheld for safety reasons. 

Read more .... 

WNU Editor: China's media has responded to the burning of its factories in Myanmar .... Perpetrators who violently attacked Chinese factories in Myanmar must be severely punished: Global Times editorial (Global Times). 

 More News On Myanmar Declaring Martial Law In Two Districts After Chinese Factories Were Set On Fire And Dozens Of Protesters Killed