Today is a tough day for the armed Resistance, as dozens of fighters have been killed by the military regime, especially in Khin U (Sagaing) and Moebye (Shan State), where the regime sent the infamous 66th Light Infantry Batallion and even launched an airstrike. Thousands of civilians have been forced to flee by these military attacks.
No representative of the Burmese Army was invited at the ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat, although the military regime had remote access to the meeting and engaged in talks behind the scenes.
ASEAN chairman and Cambodian PM Hun Sen seems to have given up on “fixing” the Myanmar crisis. He curiously said that he will “pass” the crisis to his successor (the ASEAN chairman changes every year). “I’m in a situation where I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t, so just let it be,”, he said, adding that “If they don’t want to do it, we don’t need to worry. How can the cart move forward when the oxen are in front of it?”. He also noted that there are “only 10 more months and 14 days left and my duty will be finished” and suggested that “the next chair of ASEAN take care of the issue”.
As Hun Sen gives up, there is a faction within ASEAN that is pushing to engage with the National Unity Government (NUG), although countries like Cambodia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam firmly oppose to this idea, claiming that the junta would not accept it, and that ASEAN would lose its leverage.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah, publicly called on the ASEAN special envoy to engage with the NUG and other stake holders like Ethnic Armed Groups and Civil Society.
Meanwhile Singapore’s Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that he can’t imagine “any solution without Daw Aung San Suu Kyi”. With all due respect to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Myanmar people have been working to build a new democracy without her for 13 months now. The Revolution will go on with or without her, because this is something larger than a single leader. If the people of Myanmar, who have been worshipping DASSK for decades, can imagine a future without her, why can’t international politicians do it as well?
The NUG, Civil Society Organizations, Peaceful pro-democracy groups and Ethnic Armed Organizations are all open to dialogue.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
• The ASEAN foreign ministers’ retreat took place without any military regime’s representatives, although there have been talks between the military government and ASEAN officials behind the scenes.
• On Wednesday another plane from Iran landed in Naypyidaw. According to sources who spoke to Asia Times, the plane was carrying guided missiles, drones and chemical weapons. This is the second flight from Iran allegedly carrying military equipment.
• According to The Economic Times, the Burmese military is planning to purchase military equipment from Pakistan. One of the brokers could be Aye Ne Win, grandson of former Burmese dictator general Ne Win.
• Khit Thit Media reports that a ship carrying military equipment from China arrived at Thilawa port in Yangon.
• According to Reuters, a delegation from the military regime will defend Myanmar at the Hague next week. The Gambia vs. Myanmar case at the International Court of Justice is set to resume on Monday. The National Unity Government (NUG) sent a request to the court to allow it to represent the country, as some consider it to be a form of indirect political recognition.
• Lieutenant General Than Hlaing, who was appointed chief of the Myanmar Police right after the coup, and then asked to lead “clearance” operations against the Resistance in Chin State, Sagaing and Magway, has been reportedly removed from his position. If true, this could signal once again, how the military is losing control in these regions.
• 4,571 civilian homes have been burned by regime soldiers since the coup according to Research group Data for Myanmar
SAGAING
• Khin U: 12 Resistance fighters have been killed by the military regime near Kan Gyi Kone village.
• Yinmarpin: civilian houses have been set on fire by regime soldiers
• Myaung: 3 people killed during a shootout, according to Resistance fighters
• Pictures of the Burmese Military training members of the Pyu Saw Htee militia emerged online.
KACHIN STATE
• Momauk: clashes between the Kachin Independence Army and regime soldiers
SHAN STATE
• Mobye: Resistance groups suffered heavy losses today as around 20 fighters have been killed by the military regime. Almost all 28,000 residents have fled the town, as clashes intensified this week. The military regime launched airstrikes and soldiers from the infamous 66th Light Infantry Division is now occupying the town. A civilian woman was reportedly severely hit by bullet fired by regime soldiers.
• Maukme: fighting broke out between the PNLA (Pa-O National Liberation Army) and the RCSS (Restoration Council of Shan State) in Kadugyi, as the RCSS reportedly invaded the PNLO territory
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
• Clashes intensified in Hpapun, Mutraw and Po Loe, according to Development Media Group, forcing residents to flee.
MANDALAY
• Aung Myay Thar San: one policeman has been killed during an attack at the police station
TANINTHARYI
• Dawei: Khin Kay Khine, a political prisoner who was sentenced to 7 years, is in urgent need of medical help due to a bullet wound in her abdomen, according to Dawei Political Prisoners Network (via DVB)
COVID DAILY (as reported by the military-controlled Ministry of Health. Real figures are believed to be higher than officially reported)
• 2692 new cases
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:
• 1,557 killed (+0)
• 12,219 total arrests (+46)
• 1,973 evading warrant (-1)
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