1. NUG Acting President said that the National Unity Government has adopted an active and independent foreign policy as well as a pragmatic foreign attitude
Acting President Duwa Lashi La, National Unity Government, said this at the Cabinet meeting held on January 16.
The Acting President said, “Now, the foreign policy attitudes of our country’s neighbor China toward Myanmar have an influence on the domestic situation. As the National Unity Government, we have adopted an active and independent foreign policy as well as a pragmatic foreign policy. We can’t be followers of the large regional countries, and we can’t be followers of the world powers. We must stand firm and walk in our own style.
We can’t stand alone in the modern international political arena. All are interdependent and living unitedly. Therefore, I would like to say that we need to be careful and avoid political extremes on the international political stage. On the other hand, it is necessary to hold and practice attitudes that do not contradict the opinion of the local public. The tide of domestic revolution often fluctuates between changes in the world’s political balance. Whatever it is, we mustn’t lose sight of our goals. We must constantly try to work together in the spirit of a compact Allied Revolutionary Army.
In 2024, our National Unity Government will have to constantly strive to reach a more solid political consensus with our ethnic allies. We need to be careful and avoid sensitive political bombs in the formation of the Alliance Revolutionary Army, and we need to be careful and avoid political traps that violate the principle of national unity.
Since the common goal achieved in the Spring Revolution is a prime focus for the respective ethnic revolutionary forces, I would like to urge all to “strive together in the face of opportunity” and work together.”
2. National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea urges Myanmar nationals in Korea to follow the law in dealing with visa and residence permit matters
National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea urged Myanmar nationals in South Korea to be especially careful and comply with the law in order to avoid mistakes and losses when handling their visa and residence permit issues.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea issued a statement on January 16, as Myanmar citizens in South Korea are facing difficulties, inconveniences, mistakes and losses when dealing with visa and residency issues. The South Korean government issued an order on March 2, 2021, granting special residence permits to Myanmar nationals.
The NUG has informed that if a Myanmar national holding a visa of this order is unable to return to Myanmar, he can change to a humanitarian visa G-1-99 and continue living in South Korea. The G-1-99 visa type is a humanitarian temporary residence visa. The G-1-5 visa category is a temporary visa granted to an applicant for political asylum while it is under review. Those who cannot return to Myanmar or who have vowed that they will not return to Myanmar are also warned that if they return to Myanmar, their visas will be revoked and they will be deported. G-1-99 and G-1-5 visas can be extended regardless of whether the passport is valid or not, but you must provide the correct home address, sign a work contract and notify Home Affairs and Immigration. Every time there is a change in location or work, he must notify Home Affairs and Immigration within 2 weeks.
According to the South Korean government’s statement dated March 2, 2021, it has been instructed not to forcefully repatriate those who are overstaying. However, since the original laws have not been repealed, people are notified to take note of this statement from the National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea.
The current period is an important period for the Spring Revolution, and it is a time when the support of Myanmar people abroad is constantly increasing, so it is important that Korea’s support does not become void.
The National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea is trying to solve the difficulties faced by Myanmar nationals in Korea and has informed them to strictly follow the instructions of the representative office.
3. 2 political prisoners died within 5 days in Kyaikmaraw Prison due to a lack of access to medical treatment
According to a statement from the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM), another political prisoner died due to a lack of access to medical treatment in Mon State’s Kyaikmaraw Prison, and therefore, 2 political prisoners have died within five days.
In the early morning of January 16, 31-year-old Ko Pyae Phyo Aung (Father-U Kyi Aung), who was serving a sentence of 7 years in prison under Section 52(a) in Kyaikmaraw Prison, died because he did not get enough medical treatment and was not taken to an outside hospital in time, even in an emergency. On January 15, at around 10:00 p.m., Ko Pyae Phyo Aung was taken to the prison clinic for medical treatment due to his unrelieved abdominal pain and colic. As the prison doctor in charge was resting, the dentist examined him and gave him an injection. At the beginning of the injection, he felt a little better, but about an hour later, he passed out with frothy secretions coming out of his mouth. Then, he was given two injections of life-saving medicine, given oxygen, and taken to an outside hospital, where he died on the way.
Last January 11, 43-year-old Ko Rar Shin (b) Yar Shin, a political prisoner, died in Kyaikmaraw Prison because he did not get enough medical treatment.
“At present, it can be said that the condition of the medical facility in Kyaikmaraw Prison is in the worst condition. Within five days (less than a week), there have already been two prisoners who died from not getting enough medical treatment, and there are more than 10 political prisoners receiving medical treatment at the prison’s hospital,” said Ko Thaik Tun Oo from PPMM.
If the Department of Prison and prison authorities do not provide adequate medical care and restrict access to medication, the number of deaths could be even higher. Therefore, it is necessary to provide adequate medical treatment in accordance with the laws and the prison manual, Ko Thai Tun Oo added.
According to data collected by the Political Prisoners Network – Myanmar (PPNM), 17 political prisoners across the country died in 2023 due to insufficient access to medical treatment in prisons.
4. Air attack while students were taking exams in Mindat
The military council targeted the school with an airstrike while the students were there to take an exam at Wun Ma Thu Village School in Circuit No. 2, Mindat District, Chin State, according to local residents.
On January 15, at about 2:30 p.m., the military council’s Air Force bombarded the Wun Ma Thu Village School, and a woman from the house next to the school was hit by the bomb and killed.
“I must say it was lucky that the children were unharmed, as the school was not directly hit. A civilian house near the school was hit, and a 70-year-old woman died from a head injury,” said the CDF-Mindat information officer.
The military council dropped 2 cluster bombs twice with a jet fighter and opened fire on the village with a machine gun, according to a local man from the Mindat area. “There was no fighting. They shot for no reason. They frequently came to shoot. I think they are killing civilians with grudges,” that resident told MPA.
After the airstrike, the military council’s IB-274 based in Mindat also fired 120-mm heavy artillery four times at around 4:00 p.m.
The CDF-Mindat has warned the public to be wary of security as the military council is targeting civilians and committing war crimes such as massacres or genocides.
5. A military council’s jet fighter was shot down by KIA in northern Shan State
According to a ground military source, KIA shot down a jet fighter of the military council during the battle in Nam Hpat Kar, Kutkai Township, northern Shan State.
On January 16, at around 12:00 noon, the Kachin Independence Army’s frontline forces shot down a jet fighter in Nam Hpat Kar, and the details are being confirmed, said Colonel Naw Bu, in charge of KIA information.
“We also only heard the news that a military council jet fighter was shot down in Nam Hpat Kar. We have not received any detailed information about the type of weapon that shot down the jet fighter or the type of aircraft that crushed. There are many difficulties in communicating with the phone line there. We are also trying to get the information, but so far we haven’t heard any unusual news,” said Colonel Naw Bu.
After the KIA launched an offensive attack for 18 days on the Nam Hpat Kar-based Military Council Infantry Battalion IB-123 and captured it in the early morning of January 15, the military council has been continuously attacking from the air.
6. Led by the commander, the entire battalion of Kyauktaw LIB-539 surrendered to the AA by raising the white flag
It is reported that the entire battalion of LIB-539 of the Military Council based in Kyauktaw, Rakhine State, led by the battalion commander, surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA).
According to a military source close to the AA, LIB-539 had been under siege since January 15 and was attacked at around 11:00 a.m. on January 16. Then they surrendered by raising the white flag. According to the video file that has been circulated, led by the commander of LIB-539, a large number of military council soldiers and their family members surrendered. However, the exact number has not been released. Another military source close to the AA also confirmed to People Spring that “the entire battalion, including the battalion commander of LIB-539, surrendered after raising the white flag.”
Major General Tun Myat Naing, Commander-in-Chief of the Arakan Army (AA), warned on January 15 that if the military council soldiers do not want to lose their lives, they should raise the white flag early and surrender.
7. Unbroken Generation (Gangaw) Force formally joins CDF-Senthang
Chinland Defense Force-Senthang (CDF-Senthang) announced on January 16 that the Unbroken Generation (Gangaw), an armed force formed for the eradication the dictatorship, has joined the CDF-Senthang. It stated that the Unbroken Generation (Gangaw) officially joined the CDF-Senthang on January 14 and will continue to fight as CDF-Senthang’s Brigade-2.
CDF-Senthang is participating in the operations under the name of ZZLMS, along with its brotherhood forces: CDF-Zotung, CDF-Zophei, CDF-Lautu, and CDF-Mara. It took part in the battle to capture Rezua with the joint team on November 29, and on December 22, it also took part in the battle to seize the Myit Thar Dam camp on Gangaw, according to local sources.
8. Myaing PaKaFa military training graduation ceremony and arming ceremony held
It is reported that the military training and arming ceremony of comrades of the Myaing Township People’s Defense Force (Myaing-PaKaFa) of Magway Division was held. The ceremony was held on January 16 somewhere in a liberated area in Myaing Township with over 40 fellow trainees.
At the graduation ceremony, Myaing PaKaFa in charge Ko Latyar said, “We thank the public for their support in arming our comrades, and we must respect and value the public’s support.” In addition, he said that the comrades must strictly follow the code of conduct of the armed forces, and they must be especially careful not to turn gunpoint towards the public.
The Myaing Township People’s Defense Force (Myaing-PaKaFa) is a group that is fighting against the military council in the township in ground battles and is also cooperating with the allied forces in aerial operations.
9. In the attack on the checkpoint guarded by Pyu Saw Htee in Waw Township, one was killed and 3 were arrested with weapons
On January 15, the Bago Region PDF announced that joint forces of People’s Defense Forces attacked a checkpoint guarded by Pyu Saw Htee at the exit of Okpho-3 Village, Waw Township, Bago Division, at around 9:00 p.m. on January 15, and in the attack, one Pyu Saw Htee member was killed and three were arrested along with weapons.
It is said that the leader of Pyu Saw Htee was killed, and 3 Pyu Saw Htee members were captured alive along with 2 guns as a result of the attack by the PaKaFa of 5 townships of Waw, Kawa, Daik-U, Thanatpin, and Inn Ta Kaw from Bago District. In the attack, the Pyu Saw Htee, the lackeys of the military junta, were unable to fire back, and the other Pyu Saw Htee members fled due to casualties. At present, the arrested Pyu Saw Htee members are being held in accordance with the captive law and investigated.
10. PLA honors 12 comrades fallen in the Hsenwi capture battle as Hsenwi Battle Martyrs
The People’s Liberation Army – PLA has issued a statement honoring the 12 comrades fallen in the battle to capture Hsenwi in northern Shan State as Hsenwi Battle Martyrs.
In Operation 1027, which started last October 27, the People’s Liberation Army fought together with allied forces until victory in the battle to capture Hsenwi, according to the statement. It was also stated that the success of the battle to seize Hsenwi was due to the bravery and sacrifice of the comrades. In that capture battle, the comrades of People’s Liberation Army – PLA; Thakwar, Zanaka, Jig Jig, Thukha, Moe Aung, Kaungkin, Thura, Wat Thein, Sein Lwin, Wa Gyi, Kyar Lay, and Aung San, were martyred while fighting bravely.
PLA pledged that it will continue to uphold the exemplary spirit of martyrdom of the comrades who fought bravely until their last breath and will wage the people’s democratic armed revolution till the end.
In addition, the People’s Liberation Army-PLA announced on January 15 that it proudly bows to the fallen comrades and feels deepest condolences with the families of the soldiers.
- NUG Acting President said that the National Unity Government has adopted an active and independent foreign policy as well as a pragmatic foreign attitude
- National Unity Government (NUG) Representative Office – Republic of Korea urges Myanmar nationals in Korea to follow the law in dealing with visa and residence permit matters
- 2 political prisoners died within 5 days in Kyaikmaraw Prison due to a lack of access to medical treatment
- Air attack while students were taking exams in Mindat
- A military council’s jet fighter was shot down by KIA in northern Shan State
- Led by the commander, the entire battalion of Kyauktaw LIB-539 surrendered to the AA by raising the white flag
- Unbroken Generation (Gangaw) Force formally joins CDF-Senthang
- Myaing PaKaFa military training graduation ceremony and arming ceremony held
- Myaing PaKaFa military training graduation ceremony and arming ceremony held
- PLA honors 12 comrades fallen in the Hsenwi capture battle as Hsenwi Battle Martyrs
