According to local people, the Tatmadaw (Burmese army) is recruiting army veterans promising them an additional 150 USD on top of their 40 USD monthly pension. It’s pretty clear that the Tatmadaw is stretched and thin.
I’ve listened to a podcast yesterday in which a so called Myanmar expert said that the Tatmadaw is not using Facebook for its propaganda…so many bad takes by western media lately.
The EU Parliament finally took a stronger stance, and adopted a resolution on the Myanmar crisis. It even goes further than what the Burma Act proposes: it calls for engagement with NUG (it’s not an explicit recognition, but it states that it’s the only legitimate representative of the will of the people), and it suggests sanctioning MOGE (Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise), the biggest source of revenue for the regime.
Meanwhile the regime Foreign Mnister Wunna Maung Lwin, says Myanmar is willing to sanction France after its Senate voted for a resolution calling for the recognition of the NUG (democratic government that opposes the regime). It’s obviously ridiculous, but it’s very telling about how the generals think, and what diplomacy is for them. Western diplomats and observers often underestimate this aspect of the Tatmadaw. They do care about international recognition, they view their actions (including killing innocent people) as legitimate and they always act in their own interests, which is not always an economic interest. We all know very little about how the generals think, but no one can know it better then Burmese people themselves.
POLITICS, ECONOMY AND OTHER NEWS
MAGWAY —The Tatmadaw is mobilizing army veterans in Taungdwingyi for active service, according to a source close to a veteran’s family. The source told DVB that the army had promised returnees K300,000 (~US$149$ ) per month in addition to their original pension of K80,000 (~40$). (Source: DVB)
According to Than Lwin Times, the military regime ordered to all government workers to open 2 fake Facebook accounts to spread military propaganda.
The EU Parliament adopted a resolution on the Myanmar crisis. EU Parliament Vice-President Heidi Hautala calls a 4th round of sanctions on the Burmese military regime and calls EU representatives to engage with the Burmese National Unity Government (NUG, the democratic government that opposes the regime) and CRPH. The resolution also calls for more humanitarian aids, delivered through NGOs, CSOs, EAOs and sanctioning MOGE….I will highlight the main points in the pictures. Link to the resolution https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-9-2021-0502_EN.pdf
According to State-controlled media, 406 military informants/administrators have been killed by the Resistance since the coup. 285 have been injured. Armed Resistance began after months of peaceful protests met with brutal violence by the regime. Over 1,100 civilians have been killed so far, and 7,000 are under arrest.
Military Regime Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin reacts to the France Senate Resolution on Myanmar (asking for NUG’s recognition), and threatens to use economic sanctions against France. It’s not clear what he means, as Total, a french company, is one of the largest sources of revenue for the Junta.
After a delay due to the coup, the (GAVI) alliance is set to provide more than 4 million doses of Pfizer and 2 million doses of Sinovac with help from WHO and UNICEF. (Source: The Irrawady)
One Wednesday the Junta set a minimum price for rice at 540,000 kyats for 100 baskets of paddy (Source: The Irrawady). According to farmers, the price is set too low, as it allows them to only cover expenses, as fertilizers and fuel prices have increased dramatically.
Khit Thit media reports that India military weapon manufacturing company Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) exported military equipment to Myanmar last July
YANGON
Kawhmu: Resistance fighters attacked a military truck. Casualties unknown.
Hlegu: U Aung Kyaw Kyaw, a volunteer who provided oxygen to Covid patients, was tortured and shot to the head by regime soldiers who declared “drowning” as the cause of death.
Thilawa: General Min Aung Hlaing attens the inauguration of the new Coast Guard
As Ming Aung Hlaing was visiting Yangon for 2 days, there have been various bomb explosions in Insein, Kawtmhu, Mayangone, Mingaladon and Thanhlyin
MANDALAY
Local People’s Defence Force (PDF) fighters in Mandalay Region have said they bombed a military supply train that was heading to Yangon on Tuesday, badly damaging part of the vehicle. (Source: Myanmar Now)
Thabeik-kyi: The 74 Media reports an attack on regime soldiers. 30 soldiers killed.
SAGAING
Mingin: clashes between Resistance fighters and regime soldiers. 14 soldiers killed.
Chaung Yoe, Mingin: a non-CDM teacher killed, she was believed to be a military informant.
Tainet, Dabayin: 50 soldiers raided the village causing damage to ten houses
Wetlet: 6 pro-military administrators resign
Monywa: 5.6 earthquake at 12:30am local time
Puleh: clashes between Resistance fighters and regime soldiers
KAREN (KAYIN) STATE
Wai Hmone, Mutraw: 9 people killed by landmine explosions.
KACHIN STATE
The Kachin Independence Army keeps ambushing a regime convoy headed to Tanai to bring supplies.
KARENNI (KAYAH) STATE
One man died and several homes were destroyed last night during a military raid in which troops shelled Nam Baw Wan village, Loikaw. Five others—including two children—were also injured in the shelling. (Source: DVB)
Loikaw: regime soldiers launched heavy artillery on a residential area, killing one civilian.
Htee Paw So, Pharuso: a 32 year old man, father of two, shot dead by regime soldiers
BANGLADESH
Cox’s Bazar: the family of Mohib Ullah, a Rohingya leader murdered last week, is receiving phone threats by unknown people. Many believe ARSA is behind the attack. 6 men have been arrested on suspicion of carrying out the murder. Thousands of Rohingya attended the funeral.
COVID DAILY (real numbers are believed to be much higher than officially reported)
994 new cases and 36 new deaths
AAPP Burma update
1159 (+1) civilians killed since February 1st
7119 (+15) still under detention
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