Summary of News
- Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung and Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun to attend seminar on Myanmar organised by Thailand’s Move Forward Party in March
- Deputy Minister U Min Zayar Oo highlights the development of resource-scarce regions through a cultural heritage-based economy
- U.S. Secretary of State urges Thailand to increase humanitarian aid for displaced individuals in Myanmar and the Region
- Commemorations of General Aung San’s birthday and campaigns against military dictatorship organise both domestically and internationally
- Military junta enforcing military training on teachers, and students from universities and colleges in Ayeyarwady Region as auxiliary forces
- PNLA security column ambushed by military junta and affiliated militia, resulting in the death of at least 8 junta troops and militia members during PNLA’s counterattack
- AA sinks two more military junta’s naval vessels in Minbya Township, bringing total sunk vessels to five
- Drone strike hits military junta’s expressway security outpost in Pyin Si Village, claiming lives of two junta troops
- Dawna Column welcomes new members eager to join the fight against military dictatorship
1. Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung and Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun to attend seminar on Myanmar organised by Thailand’s Move Forward Party in March
According to a Bangkok Post article, NUG Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung and current UN Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun have been invited to participate in a seminar in March organised by Mr. Rangsiman Rome, a member of Thailand’s Move Forward Party (MFP), which is in the opposition despite winning the election last year. The seminar aims to evaluate the three-year-long crisis in Myanmar. Mr. Rangsiman Rome is also the head of the National Assembly’s Committee on State Security, Border Activities, National Strategies, and Country’s Reform.
Moreover, it is stated that Prof Sean Turnell, former economic advisor to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and ethnic armed organisations will also take part in the seminar. Further details about the seminar are yet to be disclosed.
2. Deputy Minister U Min Zayar Oo highlights the development of resource-scarce regions through a cultural heritage-based economy
U Min Zayar Oo, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Investment within the National Unity Government (NUG), emphasised the significance of utilising cultural heritage to foster development in states and regions lacking natural resources. He made these remarks during the “Talk on the Role of Heritage in Building Federal Democracy” event held on February 12.
He said, “Young individuals can secure employment opportunities while simultaneously preserving their regional heritage. While some states and regions are rich in natural resources, and others are not, these heritage sites play a vital role in supporting the economic development of the state or region.”
Myanmar, with its rich history, possesses a wealth of cultural heritages, natural beauty, traditional ethnic customs, local cuisine, handicrafts and more, positioning it as a promising and appealing tourist destination.
3. U.S. Secretary of State urges Thailand to increase humanitarian aid for displaced individuals in Myanmar and the Region
The U.S. Department of State issued a press statement indicating ongoing collaborative efforts with the Thai government to provide inclusive humanitarian assistance to Myanmar.
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken held discussions with Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on February 12 in Washington, D.C. Secretary Blinken underscored regional and global concerns, including joint efforts with Thailand and ASEAN to address the escalating crisis in Myanmar. They stressed the pressing need to expand humanitarian support for displaced individuals in Myanmar and the surrounding areas, as stated in the press statement.
Thai government is making arrangements to establish a humanitarian corridor along the Myanmar-Thailand border in approximately a month, to provide aid to people displaced by fighting in Myanmar. Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara visited Mae Sot in western Thailand on February 8 to assess the planned staging area for the delivery of cross-border humanitarian assistance to Myanmar, as reported.
4. Commemorations of General Aung San’s birthday and campaigns against military dictatorship organise both domestically and internationally
Reportedly, youth organisations in Yangon distributed Nann and streamed peas, which was General Aung San’s favourite, to the grassroots community today, on February 13. Additionally, they distributed revolutionary pamphlets and 1000-kyat notes featuring General Aung San’s portrait to commemorate his birthday and to advocate against dictatorship.
Likewise, at the Mae Sot Market, where numerous Myanmar nationals reside, generous individuals also served Nann, streamed peas, and tea to honor General Aung San’s birthday.
5. Military junta enforcing military training on teachers, and students from universities and colleges in Ayeyarwady Region as auxiliary forces
According to reports, teachers and students in universities and colleges within Ayeyarwady Region are being compelled to undergo a one-month military training to serve as university auxiliary forces. The junta-appointed Ayeyarwady Region Chief Minister also conveyed during the opening session of the training that participants might be required to serve in the military, if the situation demands it, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
Additionally, following the announcement of the enforcement of the compulsory People’s Military Service Law on February 10, there have been instances of military junta subordinates issuing threats and making arrests to coerce civilians into joining the militia and undergoing military training. Recently, there are reports of youths being arrested as porters, although this information has not yet been confirmed.
6. PNLA security column ambushed by military junta and affiliated militia, resulting in the death of at least 8 junta troops and militia members during PNLA’s counterattack
The Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) announced conducting a counterattack against military junta forces and their affiliated militia, who had initiated an ambush on a PNLA security column patrolling in northern Hsihseng Town, Shan State, on February 12. According to PNLA, the junta forces and militia utilised snipers, drones, light arms, and artillery in the ambush. PNLA stated that their counterattack resulted in the death of at least eight military junta troops and militia members, with two firearms, a vehicle, and ammunition seized.
Additionally, PNLA reported that the retreating junta forces and militia conducted indiscriminate artillery shelling on Pa-O villages, causing fear among residents and prompting them to flee their homes.
7. AA sinks two more military junta’s naval vessels in Minbya Township, bringing total sunk vessels to five
The Arakan Army (AA) announced that between February 7 and 8, it successfully attacked and sank three naval vessels belonging to the military junta in Kyauktaw Township. In addition, on February 13, AA reported that it had engaged in clashes resulting in the destruction of two additional naval vessels belonging to the military junta, one on February 12 and another on February 13, bringing the total number of naval vessels destroyed by AA to five. According to AA, clashes have been ongoing in various townships of Rakhine State, including Minbya, where the military junta has been conducting airstrikes and naval attacks.
8. Drone strike hits military junta’s expressway security outpost in Pyin Si Village, claiming lives of two junta troops
On February 11, the Myingyan District 4th Battalion of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), also known as the Natogyi People Defence Force (NPDF), conducted a drone attack on a military junta’s Expressway security outpost in Pyin Si village, located in Natogyi Township, Myingyan District, Mandalay Region. The attack, which involved the use of two grenades, resulted in the deaths of two junta soldiers, according to the NPDF.
Additionally, in the afternoon, the NPDF also detonated a mobile cell tower owned by the military operator MYTEL.
9. Dawna Column welcomes new members eager to join the fight against military dictatorship
On February 12, the Dawna Column of the Southern Military Command of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) issued a statement, launching a recruitment campaign for individuals eager to join in the fight against the military dictatorship. Prospective candidates must be at least 18 years old, in good health, willing to adhere to the responsibilities assigned by the Dawna Column, uphold the code of conduct established by the People’s Defence Force (PDF), and commit to serving until the overthrow of the military dictatorship.
Those interested in joining the Dawna Column can contact them through their Facebook Messenger here.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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