Myanmar Rebels Vs Gov

[BansheeOne]

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Date 07.04.2021

Myanmar: Protests erupt in London after ambassador locked out of embassy

Demonstrators gathered in front of Myanmar's embassy in London following reports the military attache seized the building.

Demonstrations against Myanmar's ruling junta broke out in London on Wednesday after the Myanmar envoy to the UK was reportedly locked out of the embassy in the city. Myanmar's ambassador to the UK, Kyaw Zwar Minn, said the embassy has been seized by the military attache.

"When I left the embassy, they stormed inside the embassy and took it. They are from the Myanmar military," Zwar Minn told the British Daily Telegraph newspaper. "They said they received instruction from the capital, so they are not going to let me in." 

"They are not able to do this. The British government won't allow this one, you'll see that," Zwar Minn continued. 

Protesters gathered in front of the embassy to denounce the military's seizure of the building. London police have said there have been no arrests of demonstrators so far.

The British Foreign Office said it is aware of the situation and seeking further information about the incident.

Why was the ambassador locked out of the embassy?

Zwar Minn had previously spoken out against the military in Myanmar, calling for the release of detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Myanmar's military, known as the Tatmadaw, arrested Suu Kyi and other members of the ruling National League for Democracy party on February 1 in a coup d'etat, with army general Min Aung Hlaing becoming the country's de facto leader. 

Zwar Minn had represented Myanmar in London since 2013. He had previously met with UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab last month to discuss the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, with Raab praising his "courage and patriotism in standing up for what's right."

[...]

https://www.dw.com/en/myanmar-protests-erupt-in-london-after-ambassador-locked-out-of-embassy/a-57127380

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Date 09.04.2021

Author Naomi Conrad, Julia Bayer, Pedro Noel

In Myanmar, military matters are a lucrative family affair

Myanmar's army controls huge swathes of the economy through two conglomerates. High-ranking officers operate family-run ventures, including military chief Min Aung Hlaing. DW looks into his children's financial ties.

In Myanmar, resisting the military's coup is a perilous affair. Activists are constantly on the run — moving from one safe house to the next while carrying a burner phone. And, each evening, they delete every image from it. 

For it is in the dark of night, when the internet has been disconnected by the junta, that the army swoops in, abducting activists, journalists, and anyone else it suspects of resisting its takeover on February 1, from their homes. 

Since then, thousands have taken to the streets across Myanmar, formerly known as Burma. Hundreds have been killed in the protests, with many more arrested.

Protesters boycott army's company network

Myanmar citizens are also resisting the coup in other ways. Phone apps have begun to crop in Myanmar, such as one called "Way Way Nay," meaning "go away." Protesters use the app to identify which businesses have ties to the military — and boycott them.

For the Tatmadaw, as the army is called, has built a vast business empire. It consists of two major holdings, and a myriad of intertwined subsidiaries, joint ventures and smaller companies that enrich both the army and individual generals. 

And the spouses and children of military personnel are also an integral part of this opaque network, according to a DW investigation.

Military business revenues 'dwarf' civilian-owned companies

It's impossible to fathom the extent and depth of the Tatmadaw's economic power without first delving into the army's two holdings: Myanma Economic Holding Limited (MEHL) and Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC).  Both were established in the 1990s when the country was ruled by a previous iron-fisted military junta. 

They are run by both active and retired military personnel, operating in the shadows without any independent oversight.

Business interests span gem production and mining, oil and gas extraction, banking, tourism and telecommunications. Dozens of companies across diverse sectors of the economy are owned by the two holdings, many others are affiliated with MEHL and MEC. 

A 2019 UN Fact-Finding Mission identified more than 100 businesses fully owned by MEHL or MEC, noting that it was certain that it had not been successful in identifying all subsidiaries. The authors concluded that "MEHL and MEC and their subsidiaries generate revenue that dwarfs that of any civilian-owned company."

The two holdings do not openly declare their revenue, making it impossible to gauge the extent of their revenues. 

As the country carefully transitioned to democracy in 2010, the Tatmadaw and high-ranking military officials further built and consolidated vast business empires through the acquisition of capital, land and assets. In numerous cases, analysts say, state assets were sold to favored companies, including those controlled by high-ranking officers and their families.

Commander-in-chief's family empire 

The children and spouses of many military leaders own and run numerous personal economic ventures. In some cases, they were awarded lucrative contracts and joint ventures with MEHL, MEC, and their subsidiaries.

Take, for example, the military's commander-in-chief Min Aung Hlaing, who in late March gravely warned protesters: "You should learn from the tragedy of earlier ugly deaths that you can be in danger of getting shot in the head and back."

He has been targeted for sanctions by the European Union, UK and US for serious human rights abuses committed by Myanmar's military following the coup and the earlier brutal crackdown against the Rohingya, a Muslim minority in Myanmar.

The US Treasury went a step further and, on March 10 of this year, targeted his son, Aung Pyae Sone, and his daughter, Khin Thiri Thet Mon.

The reason, according to a Treasury statement, is their control of a "variety of business holdings, which have directly benefitted from their father's position and malign influence."

The Treasury listed six businesses run by Min Aung Hlaing's two children, who are both in their 30s. 

These include a somewhat eclectic portfolio, including a medical import business, restaurant, art gallery, chain of gyms, and a TV entertainment business.

Companies owned by army chief's daughter involved in internet blackout? 

DW has identified three additional companies controlled by the commander-in-chief's son or daughter by trawling through company registration data, namely Pinnacle Asia Company Limited, Photo City Company Limited, and Attractive Myanmar Company Limited. 

Pinnacle Asia Company Limited is controlled by the army chief's daughter, the latter two by his son.

[...]

Pinnacle Asia, the data shows, was registered in November 2016 and lists its main business activity as "telecommunications."

In May 2020, another document shows, it was awarded a loan by a Myanmar bank to build 17 cell phone towers across Myanmar for Mytel. According to the loan agreement, Pinnacle Asia had already set up 60 towers in various regions. 

Mytel is one of four telecommunications providers in the country and was set up as a joint venture by the militaries of Myanmar and Vietnam. 

Since the coup, all four telecommunications providers in Myanmar have been ordered to severely limit access to the internet.  

Right now, the only way to access the internet is through fiber optic cable, meaning Wi-Fi and mobile phone data have been completely cut off for a majority of internet users. 

Activists also fear that Mytel may be used to track protesters' phones. 

[...]

https://www.dw.com/en/in-myanmar-military-matters-are-a-lucrative-family-affair/a-57132879

[Franck]

A good video, complete with drone footage has emerged of the KNLA attack on the Burmese outpost that provoked the airstrikes:

 

Pretty instructive.

Given the numbers involved, I don't see how the Burmese soldiers could have won this one, any suggestions though on the mistakes they made in defense of that position?

 

I'm pasting images of the fragments of ammunition used by the Myanmar airforce retaliatory strikes (see my previous post) again as my post  about it was at the end of the previous page and maybe many people missed it.

I am curious if anybody here could identify them. My guess is these  are parts of air to gorund rockets, maybe S-8. But I am not sure.

 

[JasonJ]

Burma army post looked outnumbered and poor uniforms. The large scale protests drawing attention may have drawn out outpost strength and made them vulnerable to KNLA.

[Franck]

That's actually the way they often look when in they're in the hills, far from the cameras and central command, discipline standards go down.

The internal troubles probably preclude significant reinforcements atm but I doubt they asked anybody from that base camp to go back because of them. These are isolated FOBs accesible only by days walking, troops are rotated on a quartely basis, sending a squad back by itself there is sucide.

I am surprised they didn't mine the oustide perimeter, or cut more trees to have longer lines of fire. The Karens had concealment right up until 20, 30m. What's the point of the mortar pits if you can't see anything.

Also, judging by their looks and reactions, they seem to have been taken by surprise... by a company sized unit😮.

 

 

[JasonJ]

There's a lot to speculate with the poor condition.. low morale due to low recruitment standards, low pay or low available resources, or perhaps agreement of sorts for undeclared autonomy between local Burma Army commanders of that part of Myanmar and the Karen population thus as part of it, Burma Army would not fortify outposts. Who knows..

[Franck]

It's a poor man army for sure. But they have been upgrading their equipment the last decade. 

Looking at the captured equipment, one could clearly see kevlar helmets and body armour, stuff they mostly didn't have a decade ago. Yet most of them weren't wearing anything, discipline problem.

 

There's no such agreement I am aware of, and their bigger camps in the area are much more heavily fortified.

But, taking advantage of the nca ceasefire, the Burmese started to set up many of these 20 men outposts around, and up to recently, despite some occasional skirmishing, the karens didn't attack camps. I think that's the reason for the complacency.

 

Anyway, 20-30 men seems to be too small a number for an isolated camp in hostile territory.

Americans might have had some outpost with those numbers in Afghanistan but they seemed to be always somehow connected to some bigger camp. Not lost in the bush like this one.

And in a theater where it was much more risky for the enemy to concentrate like that.

 

[Simon Tan]

The Karens have a mish mash of weaponry but a reasonable level of maintenance on their firearms in particular. A lot of this is comes from Karen diaspora, particularly in the US who find ways of getting parts and maintenance products out to their kinsmen. As much it is the transmission of knowledge. Simple things like boresnakes, lubricant and avoiding known issues like using WD40 not as intended.

[JasonJ]

Perhaps the NCA ceasefire fire together with the democratic franchise that was underway may have boosted confidence among various groups including the Karens. If so, that confidence may have been shattered with the arrest of Aung San Suu Kyi, return of full military rule (the military still had a lot of official level power in the legislature), and subsequent brutal crackdown. Thus the point of the ceasefire seeming gone thus action taken by the KNLA.

Edited April 11, 2021 by JasonJ

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Date 10.04.2021

Myanmar's security forces kill 82 in Bago: report

Activists say scores of people were killed in one day in Myanmar's Bago as troops and police fired rifle grenades at anti-coup protesters. Injured demonstrators were reportedly denied medical assistance.

A daylong clampdown by Myanmar's security forces killed 82 people in a town near Yangon, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners monitoring group reported on Saturday.   

Reports of the violence on Friday in Bago, 65 kilometers (40 miles) northeast of Yangon, took a whole day to emerge as the violence forced residents to flee to nearby villages.

The turmoil in Myanmar has intensified in recent weeks, with protesters refusing to submit despite the ongoing bloodshed following the coup that ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in February. 

Anti-coup protesters in Bago returned to the streets on Saturday, the Myanmar Now news outlet reported.

What happened in Bago? 

Local media and activists reported that security forces fired rifle grenades at anti-coup protesters. 

"It is like genocide," Myanmar Now quoted a protest organizer called Ye Htut as saying. "They are shooting at every shadow."

Security forces also refused to let rescue workers near the bodies, a resident told the French news agency AFP.

[...]

What do we know about the total death toll?

The assault in Bago adds to current death toll of 618 civilians killed in Myanmar since the coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.  

The military denies the death tolls reported by rights groups. 

On Friday, junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun said the military had recorded 248 civilian deaths and 16 police deaths. He added that security forces had not used automatic weapons against protesters. 

Monitoring groups have faced difficulties in verifying data on the violence. The junta has suspended internet and mobile data services , pushing most of the population into an information blackout.

What happened on Saturday?

Anti-coup protesters also clashed with security forces on Saturday in the northwestern town of Tamu, near the Myanmar-India border, media reported. 

Soldiers reportedly tried to take down barricades that protesters had set up. Two civilians were killed as soldiers started randomly shooting at protesters, a local told AFP. 

More than a dozen soldiers were killed when protesters retaliated and overturned a military truck by throwing a bomb, she said. 

In the northeastern Shan state, an alliance of ethnic armies attacked a police station, killing at least 10 officers, according to media.

About a dozen armed groups in Myanmar have opposed the coup and pledged to stand with protesters as violence intensifies, prompting fears of a much deadlier civil war. 

https://www.dw.com/en/myanmars-security-forces-kill-82-in-bago-report/a-57157981

[Franck]

Knla "logistics" rely far more on the thai black market than 'imports' from the US.

Anung san suu kyii's arrest has very little to with the current situation in the northern brigades, though the whole current context in Burma provides nice 'diplomatic cover's as well as precluding the tatmadaw from sending significant reinforcement s to the area (hence desperate measures like terror bombing).

Under the NLD government, the Burmese waged many offensive operations against various ethnic groups.

With regards the Karens, the NCA allowed for the expansion and reinforcement of the government military positions/bases, and very little benefit for the local Karen population.

The only Karens that benefited from it is the corrupt karen political leadership based in maesot (thailand) and some military leaders of the southern brigades (which haven't taken part in the recent fighting, guess why).

Hence, the KNLA's more agressive stance in the north predates and is unrelated to the coup.

Ethnics don't really care for ASSK or the mostly Bamar population protesting/getting killed in the cities for that matter, but they will play along and pretend if it serves their interests.

 

[JasonJ]

Since ASSK didn't do or wasn't able to anything regarding the Rohingya crisis in 2016/2017, it doesn't come to surprising to hear other ethnic groups not having much care for her. 

 

It reminds of something I heard from Indian posters on other boards and once here, about a comparison between China and India and why China struck success while India lagged behind for so long.. well one reason being that India had messy and corrupt democracy while China got central control and focused in unison. But the other be less of the ethnic groups. Although Han was naturally by far dominant to begin with, with even Manchu mostly just getting absorbed into the big Han body. India, Myanmar, and other ASEAN countries like the Philippines and Indonesia are so ethnically diverse and that contributes to sub group competion and fragmentation. US and EU style systems show that diversity can work although testy sometimes. But without strong economic foundation to help reduce competition for basic level resource of income, probably makes power grab more competitive.

 

But then in the example like Myanmar, if the main ethnic groups get what they want and have full autonomy or even a declared new state for themselves.. then what? Karen have only a population of around 3 million in area. If it was a resouceful spot like an oil country like Kuwait or strategic spot like Singapore, a small population can make prosperity. But what does a small land locked area like the Karens have?  But I guess ethnic friction is to such a degree that the idea of working towards the good of a unified Myanmar doesn't come to mind so then just desire for autonomy.

[Franck]

Yes, a Karen nation would most likely be a very poor one.

They are talking of federal union at this point though, I don't think anybody thinks seriously about full independence.

[JasonJ]

KIA seized a Myanmar outpost.

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The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized a Myanmar military outpost near the Chinese border early on Thursday morning, the latest in a series of skirmishes between the two sides since last month’s coup. 

The KIA seized the base in the Alaw Buam area of Dawphoneyan, southern Kachin state, at around 4am after 11 hours of fighting, said Colonel Naw Bu, a spokesperson for the group. 

He was unable to confirm reports that the Tatmadaw had suffered casualties and that the KIA had arrested a battalion commander. “So far they have not informed me about casualties,” he told Myanmar Now. 

There are still tensions in Dawphoneyan as well as in Waingmaw township, he added. 

On Monday night the Tatmadaw attacked a KIA post in Waingmaw with heavy artillery, and the KIA responded with an offensive aimed at seizing a nearby Tatmadaw base.

The next day, Tatmadaw soldiers fired heavy artillery at a post controlled by the KIA’s battalion No 3 in Sa Done township. 

The two sides have clashed at least seven times this month, with skirmishes reported in Mogaung, Hpakant, and Myitkyina townships. 

The fighting began in northern Shan state last month in territory controlled by KIA Brigades 4, 6 and 10, before spreading across the border into Kachin. 

 

https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/kia-seizes-myanmar-military-base-in-kachin

[JasonJ]

23,000 prisoners released.

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YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Myanmar's junta on Saturday released more than 23,000 prisoners to mark the traditional new year holiday, including at least three political detainees, and the military leader behind the February coup confirmed he would attend a regional summit later this month.

It wasn't immediately clear if those released included pro-democracy activists who were detained for protesting the coup. State broadcaster MRTV said that junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing had pardoned 23,047 prisoners, including 137 foreigners who will be deported from Myanmar. He also reduced sentences for others.

As security forces continued the deadly crackdown, unconfirmed but credible accounts with photos on social media said that three people were killed Saturday in the central city of Mogok, in Myanmar's gem mining region.

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners, which monitors casualties and arrests, government forces have killed at least 728 protesters and bystanders since the takeover. The group says 3,141 people, including ousted civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, are in detention.

Among those released Saturday from Yangon's Insein Prison were at least three political prisoners who were jailed in 2019. They are members of the Peacock Generation performing troupe who were arrested during that year's new year celebrations for skits that poked fun at military representatives in Parliament and military involvement in business.

Their traditional style of acting is called Thangyat, a mash-up of poetry, comedy and music with a sharp undertone of satire. Several members of the troupe were convicted under a law banning circulation of information that could endanger or demoralize members of the military. The actors may have drawn the special wrath of the military because they performed in army uniforms.

Several members were also found guilty of online defamation for livestreaming their performances. It's not clear if all of them were released.

Another freed prisoner was Ross Dunkley, an Australian newspaper entrepreneur sentenced in 2019 to 13 years on charges of drug possession. His release was confirmed by his ex-wife Cynda Johnston, The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper reported.

Dunkley co-founded the The Myanmar Times, an English-language daily, but was forced to give up his share in it. He became well-known for co-founding or acquiring English-language publications in formerly socialist states that were seeking foreign investment, but was sometimes criticized for doing business with authoritarian regimes.

Early prisoner releases are customary during major holidays, and this is the second batch the ruling junta has announced since taking power.

Following the release of more than 23,000 convicts to mark Union Day on Feb. 12, there were reports on social media that some were recruited by the authorities to carry out violence at night in residential areas to spread panic, especially by setting fires. Some areas responded by setting up their own neighborhood watch groups.

In March, more than 600 people who were imprisoned for demonstrating against the coup were also released from Insein Prison, a rare conciliatory gesture by the military that appeared aimed at placating the protest movement. They were mostly young people caught in sweeps of street rallies while those considered protest leaders were kept locked up.

Neither the military government nor those opposed to it show any signs of backing off. Western nations have tried to pressure the military through diplomatic and economic sanctions with little effect.

Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbors, concerned about the prospects for regional instability, are also trying to get the junta to start back on the path to restoring democracy, or at least end its violent repression.

A spokesman for Thailand's Foreign Ministry in Bangkok said Saturday that junta chief Min Aung Hlaing has confirmed he will attend a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations -- ASEAN -- expected to be held on April 24.

Tanee Sangrat said in a text message to journalists that Brunei, the current chair of the 10-nation body, confirmed it had proposed the date for a meeting at the group's secretariat in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. Indonesia has taken the lead in calling for the special meeting to discuss the crisis in Myanmar.

 

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210418/p2g/00m/0in/016000c

 

ROK steel maker POSCO to end joint venture.

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Posco C&C decided to end their business partnership with Myanma Economic Holdings Public Company Limited (MEHL), one of Myanmar’s two largest military holding companies, the company said Friday.

The affiliate of South Korea’s steel giant Posco said it will end its partnership with MEHL by purchasing all the stakes MEHL has in their joint venture, Myanmar Posco C&C Co., following public outcry against Myanmar military’s brutal crackdown on its citizens after a coup in February.

Posco C&C started its business in Myanmar in 1997, and established the joint venture with MEHL in 2013 to supply surface-treatment steel sheets in the Myanmar market.

The steel product manufacturer owns a 70 percent of stake in the joint venture, and it will purchase the remaining 30 percent held by MEHL, in as early as the first half of this year.

“Through the operation of Myanmar Posco C&C, we have produced high-quality surface-treatment steel sheets in Myanmar and made a lot of efforts to support the improvement of people’s living conditions, to create jobs and contribute to industrialization and vitalization of the country’s economy,” Posco C&C said in a statement.

“We wish to continue to contribute to Myanmar’s economy and we will strengthen our corporate social responsibility programs supporting education and epidemic prevention. We hope to sustain growth there.”

Since a military coupe broke out in February, Posco has been pressured to sever business ties with military-backed companies in Myanmar.

As of this month, over 700 civilians are reported to have been killed by the Myanmar military junta.

 

https://elevenmyanmar.com/news/newsmaker-posco-cc-severs-ties-with-myanmars-military-conglomerate-mehl

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Date 06.08.2021

Two Myanmar nationals arrested by US authorities over assassination plot

The pair has been accused of planning an attack on Myanmar's ambassador to the UN, who is a prominent critic of the country's ruling military junta.

Two Myanmar nationals have been arrested by US authorities in connection with a plot to injure or assassinate Myanmar's ambassador to the UN, the US Department of Justice announced Friday. 

Myanmar's UN envoy, Kyaw Moe Tun, is a prominent critic of the country's ruling military junta.

What did the US say about the arrests?

US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Audrey Strauss said the two suspects, Phyo Hein Htut and Ye Hein Zaw, "plotted to seriously injure or kill Myanmar's ambassador to the United Nations in a planned attack on a foreign official that was to take place on American soil.

"We commend the tireless work of our law enforcement partners at all levels of government to ensure the safety of foreign diplomats and officials," she added. 

An arms dealer based in Thailand who does business with Myanmar's military reportedly hired the duo to carry out the attack on the ambassador in an attempt to force the envoy to step down. If Tun would not resign, the pair were ordered to kill him.

What were the criminal charges?

Htut, who is 28-years-old, along with 20-year-old Zaw, have been charged with conspiracy to assault a foreign official, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

"Our laws apply to everyone in our country, and these men will now face the consequences of allegedly breaking those laws," FBI Acting Assistant Director Jacqueline Maguire said. 

Myanmar's military had previously tried to remove Tun from his position in February after he called on the international community "to use any means necessary" towards the junta.

State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, along with other members of the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) party, were deposed by the army that month, with General Min Aung Hlaing becoming the country's de facto leader. 

The move to dismiss Tun has been resisted by the 193-member UN General Assembly, which is responsible for accrediting foreign diplomats.

[...]

https://www.dw.com/en/two-myanmar-nationals-arrested-by-us-authorities-over-assassination-plot/a-58788182

[JasonJ]

There's a parallel shadow opposition government, the NUG, made up of former officials before the military takeover. They calling for people to switch sides and rebel against Min Aung Hlaing's military.

Quote

 

BANGKOK/YANGON -- The head of Myanmar's anti-coup parallel government has declared a "defensive war" against the military regime in a sign of escalating conflict in the Southeast Asian country.

Duwa Lashi La, the acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG) formed by politicians elected in last November's general election and activists opposing the Feb. 1 military takeover, on Tuesday used Facebook to urge citizens "in every corner of the country" to rebel against the military regime led by Gen. Min Aung Hlaing. He also called on armed ethnic groups to take collective action.

Duwa Lashi La also said the People's Defense Forces (PDF) -- the shadow government's military arm launched in May -- will "protect the lives and properties of the people."

Special envoy Erywan Yus of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, who is second foreign minister of Brunei, had earlier called for a four-month cease-fire. But according to Duwa Lashi La's speech: "I believe that our neighboring countries, ASEAN countries, United Nations and all the other countries around the world understand, that we do [this action] out of necessity based on the country's current situation."

The NUG president called for bureaucrats currently working under the military regime to leave their posts. "All the civil servants under the military council, we warn and forbid you from going to the office from today onward."

Duwa Lashi La's statement also said: "As the people's revolution begins, all the soldiers, the polices forces, and civil servants who have been deceived and suppressed by Min Aung Hlaing immediately join the People's Defense Forces and immediately report to the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Home Affair of National Unity Government."

After the military takeover in February, people in cities and towns openly opposed and protested in the face of harsh military crackdowns. The death toll topped 1,000 by August, according to human rights groups.

Many senior members of the deposed government remain in detention, including pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi of the National League for Democracy, which won the November election by a landslide. 

Some of Myanmar's youth who have rebelled against the military have reportedly been given received combat training by ethnic armed groups and have gone into hiding.

According to Padoh Mahn Mahn, the NUG's deputy defense minister, the PDF includes NUG personnel and fighters from armed ethnic groups. Though there is no official coordination between the groups, the minister said "they may connect with each other [and] have common goal and missions."

 

https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Myanmar-Crisis/Myanmar-parallel-government-calls-for-revolt-against-regime

Edited September 7, 2021 by JasonJ

[BansheeOne]

Quote

Myanmar to free over 5,000 political prisoners

10h ago

The leader of Myanmar's ruling military junta has said the release of thousands of people jailed for taking part in anti-coup protests was for "humanitarian reasons."

Myanmar will release a total of 5,636 prisoners jailed for protesting the coup that ousted the civilian government, the head of the country's military junta said Monday. 

Min Aung Hlaing said he would free dissenters as part of the Thadingyut festiveal on October 20.

The junta chief said Monday he was committed to peace and democracy after the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) excluded him from a summit on October 26-28.

What has Myanmar's leader said?

Min Aung Hlang, who led the February 1 coup, said his government had its own five-stage plan to restore democracy in Myanmar.

He blamed the National Unity Government (NUG) and armed ethnic "terrorist groups" of trying to sabotage ASEAN attempts to help resolve the crisis.

"No one cares about their violence, and is only demanding we solve the issue," said Min Aung Hlaing, adding that "ASEAN should work on that" rather than point the finger of blame at his junta.

[...] 

What is the situation with former leader Aung San Suu Kyi?

On Friday, the lawyer of Aung San Suu Kyi, the country's former leader, revealed he had been gagged during ongoing trials against her.

Suu Kyi faces a number of charges including corruption, after she swept to power in 2015 elections.

Supporters and independent observers say the charges have been made up to strengthen the military grip on power.

[...] 

https://m.dw.com/en/myanmar-to-free-over-5000-political-prisoners/a-59534058

[Stuart Galbraith]

Probably means the prison is full.

[BansheeOne]

I read that as "being disinvited by ASEAN really smarted, so here's an olive branch". 

[futon]

BANGKOK--The military-run Southeast Asian nation of Myanmar is holding its first joint naval exercise with Russia, state media reported Tuesday, with the countries carrying out maneuvers in the Andaman Sea.

Reports in the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper said that the maritime security exercise with Russia was being held until Thursday, 157 kilometers (85 miles) west of Myeik in Myanmar’s far south. Some Russian navy vessels sailed from Yangon to take part, state television MRTV reported.

The three-day joint drill involves aircraft and naval vessels and focuses on defending against threats from air, sea and land as well as other maritime security measures, the reports said.

...

https://www.asahi.com/sp/ajw/articles/15051397

 

[Perun]

 

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[Perun]