The conflict in the Lay Kay Kaw area in Karen State is intensifying and has spilled over iother regions, with the KNLA overruning the Kyat Thaung Seit Military Council Camp in Mon State and regime troops firing well into Thai territory while trying to shoot at civilians trying to flee (clearly a war crime). Thousands of civilians have been displaced. 200 refugees returned back to Myanmar but had to flee again when regime troops fired at them before entering their village. Thai authorities claim to have sent 623 Burmese nationals back into Myanmar, but hundreds of people are currently attempting to cross the river to make it into Thai territory.
According to various sources, including the National Unity Government, the regime is suffering heavy losses (around 50 soldiers in Lay Kay Kaw only), which seems to be confirmed by the fact that it launched airstrikes (the junta seems to resort to airstrikes whenever in difficulty). The regime has sent in Karen State at least 1.000 soldiers from all over the country as a reinforcement.
Meanwhile there have been several clashes in other regions, especially in Sagaing and Magway.
Another disaster at a jade mine in Hpakant, Kachin State, where 10 jade pickers are missing after a landslide. These tragedies are unfortunately very common (around 200 jade miners lost their lives during a major landslide last year). At the moment jade mining is officially suspended, but mining operators pay bribes to the military to continue working. Despite attempts by politicians (of any color), to blame the “illegal” miners whenever such tragedies occur, the truth is that jade scavengers are victim of this lucrative industry, that brings millions of dollars into the pockets of the generals and cronies.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• Good article on the connection between indigenous land rights in Myanmar and climate change. Indigenous people have been denied their basic land rights since colonial time, and little has changed even during the “democratic” transition. Ensuring these rights would not only be a political step forward, but would also benefit the environment. Here is why https://www.myanmar-now.org/en/news/why-indigenous-land-rights-matter-in-myanmar
• Human Rights Watch calls on Bangladesh to reverse its decision to close Rohingya community-led schools. According to the NGO, 30.000 Rohingya students would lose access to education.
• One Resistance fighter killed during an attack on military boats on the Chindwin river
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• Phlu village: regime troops shelled Phlu camp with heavy artillery, forcing 500 civilians to cross the Thai border
• Lay Kay Kaw: according to the National Unity Government, nearly 50 regime soldiers have been killed by the Karen National Liberation Army. According to sources, the regime fired towards Burmese refugees into Thai territory again. Telephone lines have reportedly been interrupted and a blackout has been reported.
• Kani: 13 regime soldiers killed in Bambwe
SAGAING
• Yinmarpin: Resistance fighters kill around 40 regime soldiers in a landmine attack
• Kanbalu: it has been reported that Resistance fighters killed a dozen regime soldiers in an attack this week
• Salingyi, Monywa: 10 regime soldiers killed in a landmine attack by Resistance fighters
SHAN STATE
• Monekoe: fighting continues between the Kokang army (MNDAA) and regime troops
KACHIN STATE
• Hpakant: 10 jade pickers are missing after a landslide in a jade mine. Mining is officially suspended, but operators are paying bribes to the military to keep working.
MAGWAY
• Hnan Khar, Magway: according to Resistance members, Friday’s airstrike by the regime killed around 20 people. Around 1,000 civilians fled the village.
• Myinthar, angaw: 13 soldiers killed in a landmine attack
• Kyun Yin: 1 Resistance fighter has been killed and 2 have been captured by the regime.
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 152 new cases and 7 new deaths
AAPP Burma daily update (arrests and killings connected to the attempted military coup only, does not include events related to armed conflict). Since February 1st:
Last update December 18th
• 1,346 killed (+0)
• 11,047 total arrests (+14)
• 1,964 evading warrant (+0)
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