Spring Revolution Local News – Mar 28 (Evening)

Summary of News

2. Deputy Minister Khun Baham Htan calls on supporters of terrorist junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to discontinue acts of encouraging the fool, urging them to stand clearly on the side of the people

On March 28, Deputy Minister for Human Rights Khun Baham Htan took to social media to call on the supporters of the erratic and delusional junta leader, Min Aung Hlaing, to reconsider their allegiance. Deputy Minister Khun Baham Htan pointed out the inconsistency of Min Aung Hlaing’s statements, noting that they do not align with the reality on the ground. Given the dire state to which he has led the country over the past three years, with no apparent path to recovery, Deputy Minister Khun Baham Htan called on those around Min Aung Hlaing and his supporters to cease their brown-nose support for a foolish person and instead encouraged them to stand firmly in support of the country and its people.

This statement from the Deputy Minister came in response to terrorist leader Min Aung Hlaing’s recent delusional speech during an unusual nighttime Armed Forces Day ceremony held in Nay Pyi Taw.

3. IIMM exposes Myanmar military’s covert Facebook network spreading hate speech against Rohingya

The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) has shed light on the Myanmar military’s covert Facebook network, which systematically disseminated hate speech against the Rohingya community. Released on March 27, 2024, the IIMM published two analytical reports—one focusing on anti-Rohingya hate speech on Facebook in 2017 and the other examining the Myanmar state authorities’ response to allegations of sexual and gender-based crimes committed against the Rohingya during the 2016 and 2017 clearance operations. Both reports are available for public access on the IIMM website at https://iimm.un.org/analytical-reports/.

Mr. Nicholas Koumjian, Head of the IIMM, emphasised the importance of transparency by making these reports public.

The hate speech report meticulously analyses content posted on 43 Facebook pages between July and December 2017, all of which were subsequently removed by Facebook in 2018. Among these, six pages were linked to individuals or organisations banned from the platform because they were found to have “committed or enabled serious human rights abuses (in Myanmar).” The remaining 37 pages were taken down for engaging in “coordinated inauthentic behaviour” in violation of Facebook’s misrepresentation policies. The Mechanism’s analysis revealed that, despite their seemingly unrelated nature, these pages were part of a network with clear ties to the Myanmar military. It identifies over 10,000 hate speech posts, including calls for violence against the Rohingya, with some receiving comments advocating for violence against the Rohingya community.  The second report examines the failure of Myanmar state authorities to investigate and punish sexual and gender-based crimes committed against the Rohingya during the 2016 and 2017 clearance operations. Under international law, military and civilian leaders are obligated to investigate and prosecute acts that could constitute serious international crimes, including sexual violence. However, the report found that no soldier or police officer was charged or prosecuted for these crimes, nor were any commanders held accountable for failing to prevent or punish the perpetrators. The report highlights the failure to hold perpetrators accountable, which may amount to a violation of Myanmar’s obligations under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. It underscores the urgent need for accountability and justice for the Rohingya people.

4. Military junta sentences 166 people to death post-coup, including 43 in absentia

According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), as of March 27, 2024, the military junta had sentenced a total of 166 individuals to death during the revolution that followed the attempted coup on February 1, 2021. This includes 43 people who were sentenced to death in absentia. Additionally, the AAPP reports that a total of 119 individuals have been sentenced to various punishments in absentia.

Furthermore, the AAPP indicates that there are 26,452 individuals who have been arrested, with 20,280 still in detention, and 8,875 of those detained are serving prison terms on arbitrary charges.

5. NUG Ministry of Defence extends congratulations to People’s Revolution Alliance (PRA-Magway) on 3^rd anniversary

The National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defence (NUG MOD) has issued a congratulatory statement to mark the third anniversary of the People’s Revolution Alliance (PRA-Magway) on March 28.

In the message, the NUG MOD honours the sacrifices made by the comrades of the PRA-Magway who have dedicated their lives and bodies to the revolution over the past three years. The NUG MOD acknowledges the political stance and military cooperation of the PRA-Magway with other revolutionary forces.

Furthermore, the MOD reiterated its commitment to working together in unity with all revolutionary forces, including the PRA-Magway, until the revolution succeeds.

6. PSLF/TNLA Chairman encourages public participation in fundraising campaign for Kachin Operation

General Tar Aik Bong, Chairman of the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), calls upon the public to contribute to a fundraising campaign aimed at supporting operations in Kachin State led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). The campaign, titled “ချစ်ခြင်းတည်စေ မနောမြေ” (“Supporting Kachin”), which marks the first such initiative for Kachin State in the three years of the ongoing Spring Revolution, began on March 27, and scheduled to continue until May 31, with a target of raising 1,500 million kyats.

In his message encouraging public participation, General Tar Aik Bong emphasises the importance of public support in eliminating military dictatorship, ending the civil war, and establishing a federal democratic union as soon as possible, with minimal harm to the public, highlighting the synchronised regional efforts across the country in the ongoing revolution against the military dictatorship.

General Tar Aik Bong emphasises the Palaung State Liberation Front’s stance that the armed resistance of ethnic groups seeking liberation from unjust military rule constitutes a just revolution. He appeals to the public to contribute to the campaign for Kachin State as part of this broader effort.

Expressing pride in the daily achievements of the Kachin Independence Army in Kachin State, the Arakan Army in Rakhine State, and other organisations across Myanmar, General Tar Aik Bong urged generous contributions from public to the campaign since the revolutionary organisations are carrying out revolutionary duty to overcome the terrorist and inhumane actions perpetrated by the military junta in the face of various challenges.

7. KNDF Battalion 04 in urgent need of ammunition, food, and medicine for Operation 1111 in Karenni State

On March 28, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Battalion 04, part of the Karenni revolutionary alliance involved in Operation 1111 in Karenni State, expressed an urgent need for additional ammunition, food, and medical supplies due to the escalating battles. KNDF B04 appealed to the public for support in their ongoing efforts.

The battalion highlighted its active involvement in battles across Loikaw and Hpasawng townships since the initiation of Operation 1111, achieving notable successes alongside allied forces but also facing some losses.

8. PSLF/TNLA Chairman General Tar Aik Bong urges collaboration from local community to safeguard Ta’ang Region together

General Tar Aik Bong, the Chairman of the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA), encouraged the local community to join hands in safeguarding the Ta’ang region alongside the PSLF/TNLA. He delivered this message during a town hall meeting with residents of Namhsam township on March 26.

General Tar Aik Bong emphasised the importance of safeguarding the Ta’ang region, saying, “The Ta’ang Army and the residents of the region must protect the entire Ta’ang region, including Namhsan, which had been acquired through sacrifices of lives and blood, together.”

Additionally, General Tar Bhone Kyaw, General Secretary of the PSLF/TNLA, and General Tar Hod Plarng, Commander-in-Chief of the TNLA, affirmed their commitment to promoting the tea industry for regional development. They also assured that systematic arrangements would be made to enhance education, healthcare, and administrative sectors in the region.

PSLF/TNLA leaders called for unity among Ta’ang people, highlighting the successful elimination of the oppressive military dictatorship, which had suppressed the Ta’ang (Palaung) community for over 60 years through ethnocentrism.

The town hall meeting reportedly saw the participation of General Tar Aik Bong, General Tar Bhone Kyaw, General Tar Hod Plarng, and over 300 local residents from 23 village tracts within Namhsan township.

9. Attack on junta security checkpoint in Okpho results in 10 junta troop deaths and 6 injuries

The People’s Defence Forces (PDF) launched an attack on a military junta security checkpoint in Bo Yon village, Okpho township, Bago Region. The attack resulted in the elimination of 10 junta troops and injuries to 6 others. Taking place around 5:00 a.m. on March 27, Company 4 (the Underground Guerrilla Force) of PDF Battalion 3802 employed grenade launchers and firearms against the checkpoint, stationed by approximately 30 troops.

According to the Underground Guerrilla Force, two M79 grenades and four homemade 40-mm grenades detonated within the checkpoint bunker, and two troops on guard duty were shot at close range. The gunfire exchange lasted approximately 32 minutes, during which the PDF forces gained the upper hand but withdrew upon the arrival of reinforcement troops from the junta’s 6^th Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-6).

Additionally, the Underground Guerrilla Force reported that some artillery rounds fired by LIB-6 landed in a monastery in the nearby village, namely Htan Pin Kone, causing damage to the temple and the refectory hall.

10. KIA captures four additional military bases on Bhamo-Lwegel Road and advances further

Local news sources report that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied revolutionary groups have seized four additional military junta bases along the road connecting Bhamo town and the Chinese-Myanmar trade centre of Loije (Lwegel) town in KIA Brigade 3 territory, located in Momauk township of Kachin State. Since the early hours of March 27, the KIA, Kachin People’s Defence Force (KPDF), and other allied revolutionary forces have launched coordinated offensives against junta bases along the Bhamo-Loije Road, located between Bhamo and Mai Ja Yang. They have successfully captured four outposts and are continuing efforts to seize more. Among the newly captured outposts are Law Mun, Shang Tai Bum, and Bang Yau Bum. Intense fighting persists as the KIA-allied forces strive to capture remaining military bases, including strategic outposts such as Yaw Yung Bum, Mada Bum, and Sinlum Bum, along the Bhamo-Loije Road, amidst heavy airstrikes by the military junta.

Furthermore, reports indicate that on March 27, military junta forces launched artillery attacks on Mai Ja Yang town, which is under KIA control, resulting in two artillery shells detonating on the Chinese side of the border.

The ongoing Kachin Operation, initiated by the KIA, KPDF, and other allies on March 7, has thus far led to the capture of over 60 military junta bases, both large and small, including strategic bases and battalion headquarters, during the course of three weeks.

11. CDF-KKG presents marksmanship, perseverance and other excellence awards for recent basic military training graduates

The Chinland Defence Force-Kalay Kabaw Gangaw (CDF-KKG) recently held a graduation ceremony for the second batch of basic military training provided by its 2^nd battalion. At the ceremony, various awards were presented, including the best military parade award as well as individual honours such as marksmanship and perseverance awards.

Officials from the CDF-KKG and other invited guests were reportedly in attendance at the event.

#Credit : Radio NUG

#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar