1. Acting President urges people to persevere to achieve new achievements in the new year
The Acting President of the National Unity Government, Duwa Lashi La, stated at the meeting of the National Unity Government held on December 26 that all members of the government need to increase their diligence in order to reach new milestones in the new year that will soon arrive.
“It brings me great sadness to witness the increasing number of individuals fleeing the war in Northern Shan State as the Christian Christmas season coincides with the height of the revolution.
Sadly, these times of despair will persist until we can effectively eliminate the oppressive military dictatorship.
Therefore, in order to make significant progress in the upcoming year of 2024, it is crucial for all government members to enhance their efforts and dedication. Let us draw inspiration from the essence of Christmas and strive diligently to bring greater peace and joy to the people,” said Acting President Duwa Lashi La.
As the new year will soon be upon us, the Acting President urged all to review the processes carried out throughout the year 2023 and make new plans for the new year.
“We all know that the revolutionary status in the country is changing every day. Therefore, we need to be careful to adapt our strategic thinking to the situation, not to think and act consistently. When taking action, it is imperative that we consider strategic principles.
I would like to remind that the coming year 2024 will be a year in which many new challenges may be faced and military and political changes will develop again. As we approach the New Year, we should prepare wisely and proactively make appropriate arrangements. In addition, it is necessary to disseminate political messages pertinent to the ground to the public, having broad perspectives.
To achieve these goals, the relevant ministries should evaluate their activities from the previous year and formulate new plans for the upcoming year. However, it is important to avoid engaging in political stunts solely for public attention. With this in mind, I encourage various ministries to break through from their usual routines and implement new programs that align with the current situation,” said Duwa Lashi La, Acting President of the National Unity Government.
2. All kinds of political maneuvers and plans to create internal division among the revolutionary forces by the military council should be cautiously overcome
Union Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann said this at the National Unity Government’s Cabinet meeting (40/2023) held on December 26, to overcome the various political tricks and the possible internal division created by the terrorist military council among the revolutionary forces.
“Now it is a situation where everyone can predict how the revolution will end, so there are many things that need to be done more carefully. It is important to be cautious and overcome the various political tricks and the possible internal division created by the terrorist military council among the revolutionary forces. On the other hand, among the revolutionary forces who are enthusiastically waging the revolution by combining with different backgrounds and different groups, it will be necessary for them to continue working together with a strong direction and objectives,” said the Union Prime Minister.
In addition, the Union Prime Minister urged all the members to conduct discussions that would make the revolutionary forces stronger and more beneficial.
3. The issue of the declaration of the Air Force of the Military Council as a terrorist organization was presented and discussed at the cabinet meeting
It is reported that Interior Minister U Lwin Ko Latt discussed the issue of declaring the Air Force of the Military Council as a terrorist organization at the National Unity Government’s cabinet meeting. The cabinet meeting of the National Unity Government (40/2023) was held on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.
At the meeting, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, U Lwin Ko Latt, presented and discussed the matter of declaring the Air Force of the Military Council as a terrorist organization, which is carrying out airstrikes targeting the civilian population.
Acting President Duwa Lashi La, Union Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, Union Ministers, and Deputy Ministers attended the 40th cabinet meeting.
4. The NUG Ministry of Defence announced that the action of the military council that attacked the Mrauk-U Ancient Museum was considered a war crime
On December 26, the Ministry of Defence of the National Unity Government announced that the action of the military council that attacked the Mrauk-U Archaeological Museum in Rakhine State was considered a war crime.
On December 25, LIB-540, LIB-377, LIB-378 and No. 31 police battalions under the military council opened fire with heavy artillery, destroying the ancient Rakhine cultural heritage inside the Mrauk-U Heritage Zone.
The Ministry of Defence has informed that the intentional destruction of thousands of years of historical and cultural heritage that has been recognized as world heritage is considered a war crime.
The Ministry of Defence said it will cooperate with revolutionary organizations to prevent such acts of vandalism from happening again and to take action against the terrorist military that committed them.
The Arakan Army (AA), which has been attacking the military council, announced on December 25 that it will respond effectively to the intentional destruction of historical heritage and traditional cultural artifacts by the military council.
5. The Interim Local Administration Central Committee (ILACC) held a meeting with the township people’s administrative bodies of Yangon Division
On December 26, at 1:00 p.m., the meeting between the NUG’s Interim Local Administration Central Committee (ILACC) and the township people’s administrative bodies of Yangon Division (25/2023) was held.
At the meeting, Union Minister Dr. Win Myat Aye, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM), who is also a member of the ILACC, gave an opening speech.
Following, officials from ministries explained the activities of relevant ministries, and then members of the township people’s administrative bodies exchanged views with relevant officials regarding policies, directions, activities, and challenges encountered on the ground.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Associate Secretaries, officials from ministries, and members of the township people’s administrative bodies of Yangon Division. The meeting was successfully ended at 2:30 p.m.
6. Spring Development Bank (SDB) branch will be opened in Kawlin
SDB announced that it will open its first ground branch in Kawlin, Sagaing Division, which is under the control of revolutionary forces. SDB announced that as Myanmar’s first digital bank, Spring Development Bank will start providing bank services to spring lovers from its first ground branch.
“Those who are against us are akin to plastic bags bouncing around in the wind, and mocking SDB as if it were just a bank in the air. The powerful waves that can even erode solid rock will ultimately prove that they are doing their job steadily,” said the Spring Development Bank.
It is also reported that the Spring Development Bank is planned to be opened not only in Kawlin but also in other places. The Spring Development Bank (SDB) was launched on July 22, 2023, with 1,000 customers.
7. Commander Eh Say Wah announced the transfer of the column under the command of KNLA Brigade 6
On December 26, the Lion Battalion Commando led by Commander Eh Say Wah announced that they had officially transferred under the command of Brigade 6 of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), which is under the Karen National Union (KNU).
The column led by Commander El Say Wah was formerly a column under the KTLA led by Brigadier General Saw Ner Dah Mya. On December 26, they informed the public that the column has been under the command of Brigade 6 since November 6.
It has been announced that the upcoming military tasks will be carried out in accordance with the rules of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) along with joint revolutionary forces for the fall of military dictatorship.
Therefore, it is further informed that the Lion Column has become a subordinate column of the Karen National Liberation Army’s (KNLA) Brigade 6.
It is reported that the column led by Commander El Say Wah has participated in the attack on the Military Council forces along with the KTLA troops in the area of KNU Brigade 6 since it was under the KTLA.
8. In Thabeikkyin Township, the military council troops and PDF forces clashed, seizing weapons and ammunition
The Ministry of Defence reported that the military council troops and the local people’s defense battalion and forces clashed in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Division, and they were able to seize weapons and ammunition.
On December 25, between 2:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., an encounter took place between the military council column and the PDF battalions (509, 510) of the People’s Defense Force and Thabeikkyin (PaKaFa) in Thabeikkyin Township.
The NUG Ministry of Defence’s People’s Defense Force (PDF) military headquarters stated that the military council’s death toll during the battle is still being verified and will continue to be released once the area’s security issues are resolved.
The Ministry of Defence released photos of the weapons and ammunition seized from the military council during the battle, including one RPG 7 weapon and at least 6 small arms, as well as many heavy weapons and small arms bullets and ammunition boxes.
9. Comrades of the CDF-Mindat who carried out the camp capture battles were honored
The CDF-Mindat announced on December 26 that a ceremony was held to honor and welcome the comrades of the CDF-Mindat who participated in the attack and capture of the military council camp in Ye Myat Ni Village, Htilin Township, and the Htel Bwe military council camp in Matupi Township, Magway Division.
Although not all of the comrades who fought the camp capture battles were able to attend, a ceremony was held on December 25 under the leadership of the CDF Commander-in-Chief to welcome back the victorious front-line comrades, according to the statement.
The CDF-Mindat expressed its sorrow for the comrades who cannot return to the camp and the comrades who are being treated as patients.
On December 22, CDF-Mindat took part in the battle to capture the Myit Thar Dam military council camp in Gangaw Village on the Chin-Magway border. One comrade of the CDF-Mindat fell and 9 others were injured.
On December 19, CDF-Mindat also took part in the battle to occupy the Htel Bwe military council camp on the Matupi-Paletwa border. One comrade of the CDF-Mindat was fallen and one was injured.
In addition, from December 4 to 12, CDF-Mindat fought together with the allied forces in the battle of Ye Myat Ni in Htilin Township, Magway Division.
They are conducting the Project Mindat 2024 campaign to continue the struggle to capture the military council’s camps, and requesting the public to participate and help.
- Acting President urges people to persevere to achieve new achievements in the new year
- All kinds of political maneuvers and plans to create internal division among the revolutionary forces by the military council should be cautiously overcome
- The issue of the declaration of the Air Force of the Military Council as a terrorist organization was presented and discussed at the cabinet meeting
- The NUG Ministry of Defence announced that the action of the military council that attacked the Mrauk-U Ancient Museum was considered a war crime
- The Interim Local Administration Central Committee (ILACC) held a meeting with the township people’s administrative bodies of Yangon Division
- Spring Development Bank (SDB) branch will be opened in Kawlin
- Commander Eh Say Wah announced the transfer of the column under the command of KNLA Brigade 6
- In Thabeikkyin Township, the military council troops and PDF forces clashed, seizing weapons and ammunition
- Comrades of the CDF-Mindat who carried out the camp capture battles were honored