Summary of News
- National Unity Government condemns military junta for targeting civilians in Rakhine State
- NUG Foreign Affairs Minister holds talks with officials from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Yangon People’s Defence Team detonates military junta tanker carrying jet fuel on Yangon River
- NUG’s Minister of Education and Health asserts that the military junta has no chance of reclaiming lost territories
- ICNCC calls on two Mara armed forces to seek peaceful resolution rather than armed method
- Kalay University Rector rescued by Kalay People’s Defence Force confirms safety and provision of basic needs
- The Death Toll Rises: 4,611 lives lost to the military junta and affiliates, with Sagaing Region most affected
- Clash between military junta forces and Arakan Army in Maungdaw township leaves 7 junta troops dead
- Village Torched, Civilians Killed: military junta’s atrocities continue in Kawlin
- Two-day ambushes on military junta column in Paukkhaung, Bago Region, eliminates 7 junta troops
- Artillery and rockets attack targets military junta forces advancing in Pale township
- Police sergeant surrenders, handing over weapons
1. National Unity Government condemns military junta for targeting civilians in Rakhine State
On March 1st, the National Unity Government (NUG) strongly denounced the military junta’s deliberate assaults on civilian targets in Rakhine State. The NUG’s condemnation followed a devastating attack on the Korean port market in Sittwe, Rakhine’s capital, on February 29, where 12 innocent civilians lost their lives and more than 80 others suffered injuries due to a naval assault orchestrated by the junta.
Furthermore, on February 27, the military junta previously carried out an aerial bombardment using a fighter jet, severely damaging the Min Phoo village hospital in Minbya township. This attack resulted in significant injuries to civilians receiving medical treatment at the hospital as well as to healthcare workers.
The NUG extended its heartfelt condolences to the people of Rakhine who have suffered losses and injuries due to the military junta’s atrocities, pledging solidarity with those enduring oppression and persecution. Additionally, the NUG vowed to collaborate closely with the Arakan Army (AA) to pursue justice for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military junta in Rakhine State.
2. NUG Foreign Affairs Minister holds talks with officials from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs
Foreign Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung of the National Unity Government (NUG) held discussions with Mr. Benoît Guillée, the Director of Asia and Oceania at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, along with Mr. Michaël Li, who is responsible for Myanmar and Cambodia affairs at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, according to a press release from the NUG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 1.
Daw Nan Hsu Mon Aung, NUG’s representative to France, also attended the meeting alongside Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung.
The discussions focused on the French government’s practical assistance to Myanmar, including the delivery of humanitarian aid to areas in need, potential areas for cooperation, and updates on the current developments in Myanmar’s revolution.
3. Yangon People’s Defence Team detonates military junta tanker carrying jet fuel on Yangon River
The Yangon Regional People’s Defence Team, operating under the Ministry of Defence of the National Unity Government, detonated a military junta tanker carrying jet fuel on the Yangon River.
The operation, conducted by the Special Diving Force of the Yangon Regional People’s Defence Team, took place at midnight on February 29 near the Htee Tan berth of the Yangon Ports, as outlined in a press release from the Ministry of Defence.
4. NUG’s Minister of Education and Health asserts that the military junta has no chance of reclaiming lost territories
Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, the Union Minister for Education and Health within the National Unity Government (NUG), asserted that the military junta stands no chance of regaining control over territories it has lost. The Union Minister made this assertion in a video message released by the Ministry of Health, which addressed the ministry’s call for healthcare workers to serve in the liberated areas on February 22.
“Our revolution has already achieved victory. It is assured that the military council will not be able to regain control over Northern Shan State, the Ta’ang region, and other territories under the control [of revolutionary forces] in Kachin, Chin, Karenni, Sagaing, Magway, and Rakhine. The military council has faced continuous defeat, leaving no possibility for them to recapture these territories,” Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe said.
Operation 1027, launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance comprising the Myanmar National Truth and Justice Party/the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNTJP/MNDAA), the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), and the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), on October 27, 2023, captured many towns in Northern Shan State and Rakhine State.
5. ICNCC calls on two Mara armed forces to seek peaceful resolution rather than armed method
The Interim Chin National Consultative Council (ICNCC) released a statement on February 29, urging the two Mara-based armed groups—the Maraland Territorial Council/Maraland Defence Force (MTC/MDF) and the Interim Maraland Council/Chinland Defence Force Mara (IMC/CDF-Mara)—currently engaged in conflict in Chin State to pursue a peaceful resolution instead of resorting to armed conflict.
The statement detailed the background, mentioning the active role of the Mara People Council/Chinland Defence Force Mara (MPC/CDF-Mara), one of the Chin ethnic armed groups formed after the attempted military coup in 2021, in the establishment of the Joint Military Council (JMC) and later the Chinland Joint Defence Committee (CJDC) in efforts to coordinate operations between various Chin ethnic armed groups, including the existing Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA), against the military junta. Subsequently, efforts made by the CNF/CNA and CJDC elders to unite the Mara Army, the existing armed group in the Mara area, and the CDF-Mara under the Mara Revolution Coordination Team (MRTC) failed, leading to the division into MTC/MDF and IMC/CDF-Mara. Despite attempts by Mara people and organisations at home and abroad to reconcile them, the rivalry between the two groups intensified and culminated in armed conflict.
Since the end of January 2024, clashes have erupted between forces operating under the CNF/CNA, including the CDF-Mara, and the MDF in the Mara area, resulting in casualties among young Chin fighters and damage to civilian property. The ICNCC emphasised that such violence deviates from the revolution’s goals, expressing concern that continued armed conflict in the Mara area could spread to other parts of Chin State, affecting community unity and the region’s development.
The ICNCC urged non-Mara armed groups involved in the conflict to cease their activities promptly and called on the two Mara armed groups to seek peaceful resolutions to prevent further escalation in Chin State.
6. Kalay University Rector rescued by Kalay People’s Defence Force confirms safety and provision of basic needs
In a video released by the Kalay People’s Defence Force on the night of February 29, Dr. Yawhan Tun, the rector of Kalay University, provided assurance regarding the safety of himself, teachers, and students under the protection of the revolutionary forces. He stated that the revolutionary forces have arranged food and accommodation for them.
“We are all safe and secure here, and the revolutionary forces have provided us with food and accommodation. I am giving this testimony to reassure the families and relatives of our staff and students not to worry about our safety. I have heard that some students have already been sent back to their homes, and the remaining ones will also be returning soon,” Dr. Yawhan Tun said.
Following a clash between the military junta forces stationed at Kalay University and the revolutionary forces on February 26, the revolutionary forces successfully evacuated over 130 trapped students and faculty members from the university.
7. The Death Toll Rises: 4,611 lives lost to the military junta and affiliates, with Sagaing Region most affected
According to a recent report from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as of February 29, 2024, the death toll at the hands of the military junta and pro-military groups since the attempted coup on February 1, 2021, has risen to 4,611 during the Spring Revolution. The highest number of casualties occurred in Sagaing Region, followed by Mandalay, Magway, and Yangon. Among the deceased, 1,662 individuals were killed after being detained. Furthermore, the victims include 810 women and 570 children.
Furthermore, a total of 26,204 individuals have been arrested during this period, with 20,156 still held in detention.
8. Clash between military junta forces and Arakan Army in Maungdaw township leaves 7 junta troops dead
A confrontation occurred between a military junta unit consisting of 80 troops engaged in military operations along the road linking Kyein Chaung village and Yan Aung Myin village in the northern part of Maungdaw township and the Arakan Army (AA). This clash, reported by the AA, resulted in the fatalities of seven junta troops. It occurred around 4:30 p.m. on February 28. The AA recovered the bodies of the seven junta troops and seized military equipment, along with some weapons and ammunition.
Additionally, the AA stated its ongoing efforts to pursue and engage fleeing troops from this unit, as well as junta bases across Rakhine State that refuse to surrender.
9. Village Torched, Civilians Killed: military junta’s atrocities continue in Kawlin
According to a report by the Kawlin Revolution (KR) team, on February 29, a unit of approximately 200 military junta troops stationed at Thit Fu Hla hill in Sagaing Region carried out a raid on Ngar Gyi Aing village around noon. The junta troops killed three villagers during the raid, and the KR team stated that they received reports indicating that almost the entire village was burned down. The military unit involved is believed to consist of troops from the 11th and 77th Military Divisions. The bodies of the three deceased residents were reportedly found lined up along the roadside.
Following the raid on Ngar Gyi Aing village, the military unit reportedly moved to Thayet Taw village.
10. Two-day ambushes on military junta column in Paukkhaung, Bago Region, eliminates 7 junta troops
According to a statement issued by the Paungde People’s Defence Force (PPDF), which serves as Battalion 3601 of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Pyay District, Bago Region, a coordinated PDF force launched ambushes on a military junta column advancing in Paukkhaung township, Bago Region, on February 28 and 29. These ambushes resulted in the deaths of seven junta troops.
The initial ambush, utilising a sniper, occurred around 5:00 p.m. on February 28 as the junta column entered Aung Thapyay village, resulting in the death of one junta troop. Subsequent ambushes on the same military column on February 29 led to the deaths of six additional junta troops and injuries to several others, as reported by the PPDF.
Tragically, a member of Battalion 3602 of the People’s Defence Force in Pyay District lost their life during the confrontation, while another sustained minor injury.
The operation was carried out jointly by Squadrons 1 and the Sniper team of the Paungde People’s Defence Force (PPDF or Battalion 3601), alongside Squadrons 3 of Battalion 3602 of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Pyay District.
11. Artillery and rockets attack targets military junta forces advancing in Pale township
On February 29, the Royal Seven Revolution Force reported conducting a three-hour assault on advancing military junta forces in Pale Township. The attack involved the use of artillery and rockets and was carried out in collaboration with allied revolutionary groups. While casualties among the junta troops were reported, the exact number has yet to be confirmed.
In collaboration with the Royal Seven Revolution Force in the attack were the Mayalat Region Guerrilla (MRG), Salingyi Special Task Force (SSTF), Pong Taung Tiger, and People Special Force.
12. Police sergeant surrenders, handing over weapons
The Yesagyo Township People’s Defence Team (Yesagyo Pa-Ka-Fa) announced that a police sergeant under the military junta surrendered and handed over weapons on February 29 after reaching out to the Yesagyo Pa-Ka-Fa and Company 5 of Battalion 2 of the CDF-Hakha (Gangaw area).
The surrendered weapons included a carbine, two box magazines, and 100 rounds of bullets.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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