Summary of News
- Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung mourns fallen PDF comrade
- Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun visits Tulsa to meet with Myanmar community
- Military junta personnel in Indaw compile recruits’ list for conscription
- Death toll from military junta and affiliates during Spring Revolution approaches 5,000
- Military junta conducts airstrikes on Hsihseng town, dropping over 100 bombs in a single night and arrests and kills community elder involved in drug-free initiatives
- ABFSU pays tribute to fallen member Aung Khant Zaw following his demise in Karen battle
- Karenni Coalition declares capture of six towns, including Mese, Shadaw, Mawchi, Demoso, Nan Mae Khon, Ywathit, and Mobye, since Operation 1111 began
- Yangon People’s Defence Team strikes junta’s Yangon Command Headquarters, claiming high-ranking casualties
- Junta’s arson attack and forest fire leave 160 families homeless in Mindon and claims life of elderly woman
- Mine attacks on military junta convoy and infantry column in Myaing over two days leave 8 junta troops dead
1. Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung mourns fallen PDF comrade
On March 22, Foreign Affairs Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung expressed her grief on social media over the loss of promising youths, particularly on the day when PDF comrade Aung Khant Zaw fell in battle. She remarked, “Precious youths are sacrificing their lives and breath for the new country.”
Comrade Aung Khant Zaw, fondly known as Comrade Japan Gyi, emerged as a revolutionary hero, epitomising the spirit of selflessness and dedication to the cause. His sacrifice on March 22 while serving the country has left a deep void in the hearts of many. Hailing from Pathein, Ayeyarwady Region, Aung Khant Zaw was not only a committed revolutionary but also a beacon of hope in his community. He selflessly volunteered in charities, uplifting the lives of those around him. During the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, he tirelessly served as a charity worker, extending support to those in need.
The news of his passing has reverberated across the nation, eliciting an outpouring of grief and condolences from his comrades in the revolutionary movement and various revolutionary organisations. Many have paid tribute to Aung Khant Zaw’s selflessness, bravery, and unwavering dedication to the cause of democracy in Myanmar.
2. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun visits Tulsa to meet with Myanmar community
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun made a trip to Tulsa to engage with the local Myanmar community, arriving on March 22. Upon his arrival, he was warmly welcomed by members of the Myanmar community at the airport.
It has been reported that Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, who serves as the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, along with Tulsa Mayor George Theron Bynum, will host a town hall meeting with the Myanmar community in Tulsa on March 23. The event is scheduled to take place at the Myanmar Zomi Baptist Church.
3. Military junta personnel in Indaw compile recruits’ list for conscription
According to a report by the Indaw Revolution (IR) team, military junta officials in Indaw, including soldiers, police officers, and ward administrators, are compiling a list of eligible recruits for the junta’s compulsory conscription through household registrations.
The process of gathering this list began on March 21, and it has been reported that if eligible individuals are not present at their residences, their parents are required to sign letters committing to their return within a period of 10 days.
4. Death toll from military junta and affiliates during Spring Revolution approaches 5,000
As of March 22, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that a total of 4,771 individuals, including pro-democracy activists and other civilians, have lost their lives due to the military junta and its affiliates during the Spring Revolution since the attempted military coup on February 2, 2021. Additionally, the AAPP noted that there are approximately 1,700 reported deaths that are yet to be confirmed.
Furthermore, the report highlighted that throughout this period, a total of 26,433 individuals have been unjustly arrested, with 20,263 of them remaining in custody. Among these detainees, 8,868 individuals have been sentenced to imprisonment on arbitrary charges imposed by the military junta.
5. Military junta conducts airstrikes on Hsihseng town, dropping over 100 bombs in a single night and arrests and kills community elder involved in drug-free initiatives
According to a statement from the News and Information division of the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), the military junta conducted airstrikes on Hsihseng town, located in the Pa-O region of southern Shan State, during the night of March 20 between 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. A Y-12 aircraft was deployed to drop over 100 bombs during the attack. Additionally, on March 21 at 12:00 p.m., another airstrike was launched on Hsihseng town by the military junta, utilising a fighter jet to release two 500-pound bombs alongside drone strikes and ground artillery attacks.
Furthermore, the PNLA reported that on March 18, military junta forces arrested U Khun Htwet Htee, a community leader from Van Kun village located in the Mei Nei Mountain area, subsequently executing him. U Khun Htwet Htee was actively involved in initiatives promoting a drug-free environment for the development of the village. Additionally, he was a supporter of the NLD party during the 2020 general election.
6. ABFSU pays tribute to fallen member Aung Khant Zaw following his demise in Karen battle
The All Burma Federation of Student Unions (ABFSU) released a statement honouring the memory of Aung Khant Zaw, fondly known as Japan Gyi, who lost his life in a battle in Karen State while fighting against the military dictatorship on March 22. Comrade Aung Khant Zaw, aged 30 at the time of his passing, was a former member of both the Pathein District Students’ Union and the Pathein Technological University Students’ Union, both of which are affiliated with the ABFSU. He was also a talented poet, winning first prize in a revolutionary poetry competition organised by PEN Myanmar.
The ABFSU affirmed in their message that, in remembrance of Aung Khant Zaw, they would persist in their fight to fulfil his aspirations of ending military dictatorship and securing freedom for all citizens.
U Linn Thant, the National Unity Government’s Representative in the Czech Republic, also expressed his sorrow at the loss of Comrade Aung Khant Zaw, describing him as a promising young leader who was expected to play a significant role in the Ayeyarwady Region, his hometown.
7. Karenni Coalition declares capture of six towns, including Mese, Shadaw, Mawchi, Demoso, Nan Mae Khon, Ywathit, and Mobye, since Operation 1111 began
The Karenni Coalition, consisting of the Karenni Army (KA), the Karenni Nationalities People’s Liberation Front (KNPLF), the People’s Defence Force (PDF), the Demoso D.M.O PDF, and the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), issued an official statement on March 23 outlining the current military situation in Karenni State following the initiation of Operation 1111.
Since the commencement of Operation 1111, the Karenni Coalition has successfully seized control of six towns—Mese, Shadaw, Mawchi, Demoso, Nan Mae Khon, and Ywathit in Karenni State, as well as the neighbouring Mobye town in southern Shan State. Additionally, the coalition has established full authority over two townships, Mese township and Shadaw township, as well as the eastern bank of the Thanlwin River in Karenni State, effectively liberating these areas from military junta control. Furthermore, according to the statement, approximately 90% of territory within Karenni State is now under the coalition’s control, leaving the military junta with minimal presence in the state, confined mainly to a few remaining bases.
In total, the Karenni Coalition has seized 65 military junta bases and outposts across various townships, including Loikaw (12), Shadaw (7), Demoso (13), Pekon (17), Hpruso (1), Mese (1), Bawlakhe (5), and Hpasaung (9), along with an additional 16 bases and outposts abandoned by the junta forces.
The Karenni Coalition attributes these achievements to the unity among revolutionary forces and people’s defence forces in Karenni State, as well as the unwavering support and encouragement received from the general public.
8. Yangon People’s Defence Team strikes junta’s Yangon Command Headquarters, claiming high-ranking casualties
In an operation conducted on the afternoon of March 22, the Special Force of the Yangon People’s Defence Team executed a strategic assault on the military junta’s Yangon Command Headquarters using sophisticated remote-controlled improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Reports indicate that disguised members of the Yangon People’s Defence Team infiltrated the Yangon Command Headquarters to plant the explosive devices. The attack was planned after receiving intelligence that high-ranking officials, including Lieutenant General Thet Pon, Commander of the Bureau of Special Operations 5 (BSO 5), as well as several junta ministers, the Yangon Regional Commander, the mayor, and other officials, would be present at the golf course located within the headquarters compound.
According to officials from the Yangon People’s Defence Team, the attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 individuals, including a Lieutenant General, three majors, three captains, four sergeants, seven soldiers, and two Yangon City Development Committee (YCDC) staff members. Additionally, he said that two colonels, one lieutenant colonel, and one major sustained injuries in the incident, Furthering, a communication building and a lounge were reportedly destroyed by fire as a result of the attack.
In response to the incident, the military junta attempted to conceal the true nature of the attack by disseminating false information, claiming that it was an explosion caused by an overheated generator.
9. Junta’s arson attack and forest fire leave 160 families homeless in Mindon and claims life of elderly woman
In Mindon township, Magway Region, a devastating forest fire erupted on March 22, engulfing Hman Ywama village and Kyun Taw village from 2:20 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Local reports indicate that nearly entire villages were razed to the ground, rendering approximately 1,000 individuals homeless. Tragically, an 80-year-old woman lost her life in the fire. This incident adds to the ongoing suffering of Mindon township residents, who have repeatedly faced arson attacks orchestrated by the military junta, resulting in the destruction of their homes and properties.
As a result of the recent fire and military junta’s routine arson attacks, 160 out of 180 homes in both villages have been destroyed. Urgent assistance is needed for the affected residents.
10. Mine attacks on military junta convoy and infantry column in Myaing over two days leave 8 junta troops dead
The Myaing Township People’s Defence Team, in collaboration with local allies, conducted two mine attacks on a military junta infantry column emerging from Twin Ma village, controlled by the junta-affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militia, in Myaing township around 1:00 p.m. on March 22. The attacks reportedly resulted in the deaths of two junta troops and injuries to three others. As a consequence of the assault, the military junta column was unable to advance and retreated back into Twin Ma village, as reported by the defence team.
The operation was a joint effort involving Squadron 1 and Squadron 2 (Galon Group) of the Myaing Township People’s Defence Team, the Light Rays Guerrilla Force, the Myaing Warriors, the MRDF, the Kamma Defence Force-KMDF (a member of the Kamma Coalition), PDF-Kamma (a member of the Kamma Coalition), and the Pauk Township People’s Defence Team.
Similarly, local defence forces, comprising the Myaing Township People’s Defence Team, the Black Cobra Force, the Pku Thurain, and the Kamma Coalition, previously ambushed a military junta convoy consisting of four trucks travelling from the headquarters of the 101st Light Infantry Division (LID-101) in Pakokku around 4:30 p.m. on March 21. Two mine attacks were launched against the convoy as it traversed the Pakokku-Kamma road, resulting in the reported deaths of six junta troops and numerous injuries.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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