Woodside joins Chevron and Total and announces its withdrawal from Myanmar. Now it is crucial for democratic countries to follow with targeted sanctions to cut the Tatmadaw’s financial resources.
Meanwhile the military regime released U Han Tha Myint, a member of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Many observers highlight that the junta did not dissolve the NLD yet. Min Aung Hlaing’s plan is probably to adopt a proportional representation system (PR), and turn the NLD into a military proxy party with the help of NLD members “willing to cooperate” (or, better, forced to cooperate). The presence of a “fake” NLD party would legitimize the outcome of the elections.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• After Chevron and Total, the Australian energy company Woodside announced it will withdraw from Myanmar. The gas industry generates over 1 billion USD yearly for the military regime. Many believe the recent exit of western companies, may anticipate a new round of sanctions that may include military-run Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE)
• Representatives of the National Unity Government (NUG, the government that opposes the military regime), met (online) with Derek Chollet, Counselor of the US State Department, and Kim Moy, Principal Deputy Secretary of State to discuss the Myanmar crisis.
• U Han Tha Myint (74), member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Executive Committee, has been released by the military regime after nearly 1 year of prison, due to his health conditions.
• U Min Thu, a former military colonel who joined the NLD and became minister of the civilian government, has been charged with corruption by the military regime.
• The military regime arrested famous makeup artist Gucci Aung for promoting the upcoming Silent Strike against the coup on social media.
• Kanbawza, better known as KBZ, has dissolved Nilar Yoma Gems Co. Ltd., a joint venture with the military-owned Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL). It’s not clear whether this move is strictly a business decision, or whether possible sanctions/public image played a role.
• According to Radio Free Asia (RFA), the military regime is already using the cybersecurity draft law, despite not being ratified yet. The proposed law, bans Virtual Private Networks (VPN), that are often used by young people to bypass internet restrictions on social media, but also by businesses for security reasons. The controversial law, is seen as a tool to target pro-democracy activists and anyone who opposes the regime.
CHIN STATE
• Matupi: Resistance fighters attacked a military convoy killing 8 soldiers
• More than 1,000 regime soldiers and 58 Resistance fighters have been killed in 2021 in Chin State
SAGAING
• Lezin: regime soldiers raided the village, just a few miles from Monywa
• Indaw: the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in collaboration with the People’s Defence Forces (PDF), attacked a military convoy carrying fuel and weapons.
• Kannada: more than 10 regime soldiers killed during a naval attack on the Chindwin River.
KACHIN STATE
• KIO information officer Colonel Naw Bu says there have been more than 400 clashes between the Kachin Independence Army and the military regime since the coup
SHAN STATE
• Kutkai: clashes between the Kokang Army (MNDAA) and regime troops
KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE
• Rayo, Loikaw: the bodies of 6 civilians killed by the military regime were found in the toilette of a house.
• Loikaw: clashes between Resistance fighters and regime troops. One soldier killed.
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• According to the Karen National Union, the conflict has displaced more than 50,000 civilians
MANDALAY
• Kyaukse: Resistance fighters attacked a police station
• Pyin Oo Lwin: striking railway workers who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement against the military regime, are being forced to leave their accommodation and relocate
YANGON
• Thaketa: Resistance fighters attacked a police station
• Thanlyin: a bomb exploded at the electricity office
TANINTHARYI
• Nabule, Yebyu: Kyaw Win, an NLD member, has been killed by a Pyu Saw Htee group (a pro-military militia)
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 168 new cases and 0 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:
• 1,498 killed (+4)
• 11,787 total arrests (+11)
• 1,966 evading warrant (+0)
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