Summary of News
- CRPH extends commemorative message for the 24th Kayan National Day
- Deputy Human Rights Minister calls for unity amid revolution’s crucial juncture, on the occasion of 24th Kayan National Day
- KIA uncovers significant cache of cash and gold bars in junta’s border base at 142nd Infantry Battalion in Lwegel
- U Min Ko Naing highlights unity across generations and diverse backgrounds during ongoing Spring Revolution
- Thailand ready to receive 100,000 Myanmar refugees, Foreign Minister says
- Fighting intensifies in Myawaddy: Military junta deploys reinforcements, including armoured vehicles
- The diminished capacity of the military junta: unable to safeguard premises of its own defence universities
- Landmine attack on military vehicle in Pakokku leaves four junta troops injured
- Clashes erupt in Mon State’s Kyaikmaraw township, and military junta conducts airstrikes
- Karenni National Solidarity Organisation (KNSO) ends decades-long ceasefire and vows to join armed resistance against military regime
- Two junta soldiers from Pakokku LIB-252 surrender and receive 6 million kyats for weapon handover
1. CRPH extends commemorative message for the 24th Kayan National Day
The Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) has issued a commemorative letter for the 24th Kayan National Day, observed on April 10, 2024.
In the letter, the CRPH extends wishes for the safety of the Kayan people, Kayan ethnic leaders, and Kayan fighters actively involved in the Spring Revolution alongside diverse ethnic groups across the nation. Recognising the extensive history of the Kayan people, the CRPH emphasises the significance of Kayan as the birthplace of Ethnic Armed Resistance Movements 70 years ago, striving for self-determination, autonomy, and equal rights. The CRPH acknowledges the courage of the Kayan people in resisting military dictators, continuing into the current Spring Revolution.
On this significant occasion, the CRPH pays tribute to all Kayan ethnic leaders and fighters who have sacrificed their lives for the country and its citizens in their steadfast opposition to successive dictators leading up to the present Spring Revolution.
Furthermore, the CRPH emphasises that the ongoing Spring Revolution in Myanmar is a historic movement wherein all ethnic groups have united in solidarity, resulting in numerous accomplishments, acknowledging both the successes achieved and the countless sacrifices made along the way. Nevertheless, to ensure a peaceful and secure future for generations to come in a new federal democratic country, the CRPH urges the Kayan people to continue their fight alongside others in the collective effort to eradicate the military dictatorship.
2. Deputy Human Rights Minister calls for unity amid revolution’s crucial juncture, on the occasion of 24th Kayan National Day
Khun Baham Htan, a Deputy Minister for Human Rights of the National Unity Government and a member of the Chin ethnic group, has called for unity during this critical juncture of the revolution. His remarks were made in a Facebook post in conjunction with the observance of the 24th Kayan National Day on April 10th.
“While commemorating the 24th Kayan National Day today, April 10th, let us also not forget to pray for our comrades on the front lines of the People’s Revolution as battles are escalating,” stated Deputy Minister Khun Baham Htan. “Let us unite during this critical juncture of the revolution to collectively strive towards victory.”
Currently, the military junta is experiencing challenges in maintaining control over towns in rural areas, with towns in Karenni State, Chin State, Shan State, and Rakhine State already slipping from their grasp.
3. KIA uncovers significant cache of cash and gold bars in junta’s border base at 142nd Infantry Battalion in Lwegel
According to military reports, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) uncovered a substantial amount of cash, totalling millions of kyats, as well as some gold bars at the military junta’s border base of the 142nd Infantry Battalion, also known as the town guard unit, situated in Lwegel within Momauk township along the Myanmar-Chinese border in Kachin State.
The 142nd Infantry Battalion, the last military base held by the junta in Lwegel, was captured by the KIA and allied forces on the morning of April 9 without any gunfire, as the remaining junta troops and government employees operating under the junta inside the town had fled to the Chinese side during the night of April 8. During the clearance of the 142nd Infantry Battalion, the KIA and its allies discovered these assets, along with weapons and ammunition.
The discovered funds are believed to be taxes collected by the junta from the Lwegel border trade gate. Presently, with the KIA and allied forces in control, Lwegel town has become a military-free area, with the KIA’s administrative mechanisms now operational within the town.
4. U Min Ko Naing highlights unity across generations and diverse backgrounds during ongoing Spring Revolution
During a live talk event for a fundraising campaign titled “Uniting as One with Each Holding a Paddle,” held on April 9, U Min Ko Naing, a prominent pro-democracy activist and leader of the 88 Generation Students Group, emphasised the significance of unity amidst the ongoing revolution. He stated, “Throughout this revolution, what have we demonstrated? We have shown our collective strength and unity. If all generations come together, we can achieve our goals. The older generations bring wisdom and experience, while the younger generations possess advantages over technologies and connections to the international community. Our revolution is a systematic combination, drawing upon diverse backgrounds.”
Presently, the National Unity Government is advancing in alignment with the Federal Democracy Charter and fostering collaboration with various revolutionary factions.
5. Thailand ready to receive 100,000 Myanmar refugees, Foreign Minister says
Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara stated, as reported by the Bangkok Post on April 10, that Thailand is ready to receive up to 100,000 refugees fleeing the fighting in Myanmar. Mr. Parnpree affirmed that the government has taken necessary measures to provide temporary accommodation for an influx of refugees in safe areas.
Furthermore, Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara emphasised Thailand’s stance of neutrality in the Myanmar conflict.
Currently, a significant number of Myanmar nationals are crossing into Thailand through the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 1, which connects Myawaddy in Myanmar with Mae Sot in Thailand, on a daily basis.
6. Fighting intensifies in Myawaddy: Military junta deploys reinforcements, including armoured vehicles
Reports from military news sources indicate that fighting in Thai-Myanmar Reports from military sources indicate that intense fighting has erupted in Myawaddy, a town situated on the Thai-Myanmar border in Karen State. In response to setbacks, the military junta is deploying reinforcement soldiers using military vehicles and armoured ones. A convoy of reinforcements, which included armoured vehicles, was seen departing from the Southeastern Military Command headquartered in Mawlamyine, Mon State, towards Hpa-An, Karen State. A video circulating on social media captured a convoy comprising 20 military vehicles carrying soldiers and 10 armoured vehicles crossing the Thanlyin (Salween) River Bridge in Hpa-An at approximately 6:00 a.m. on April 10. It is estimated that the convoy comprised at least 250 soldiers.
Local residents have reported heightened security measures in Hpa-An, located 130 km away from Myawaddy. Military vehicles are patrolling the town’s entrance as the fighting in Myawaddy intensifies. On April 9, fighting persisted throughout the night, with the sound of explosives audible from Mae Sot, situated across the Moei River. Thai media reported that the Thai army conducted border patrols throughout the night due to the intense fighting in Myawaddy. On the morning of April 10, heavy weapons fire and explosions continued, with some areas of Myawaddy engulfed in flames, as reported by residents who seek refuge in Mae Sot.
The fierce fighting between revolutionary forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the military junta’s 275th Infantry Battalion, known as the guard unit of Myawaddy, intensified when the 275th Infantry Battalion resumed firing on the afternoon of April 9, despite earlier negotiations aimed at surrendering.
7. The diminished capacity of the military junta: unable to safeguard premises of its own defence universities
PDF Insight released a military assessment on April 10, highlighting the diminishing capacity of the military junta to safeguard the premises of its own defence universities.
According to the statement, various defence universities operated by the military junta in May Myo (Pyi Oo Lwin) have come under frequent attack. The most recent incident occurred on April 8 when the Mandalay Region People’s Defence Team launched five rounds of 107-mm rockets at the Defence Service Academy (DSA). The attack resulted in damage to the entrance of the DSA near the cadet statue. Given that the DSA plays a crucial role in training military leaders, the inability of the military to secure and protect its own university campus reflects the diminished capability of the junta, PDF Insight stated.
Earlier in January of this year, Lieutenant Colonel Thet Aung, a lecturer at the Defence Service Technological Academy (DSTA), was captured during a battle in Thanbo village near Pyin Oo Lwin by a joint force of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Mandalay People’s Defence Force.
Additionally, on August 15, 2019, the Northern Alliance, comprising the Palaung’ TNLA, the Arakan Army (AA), and the Kokang’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), launched an attack on the Defence Services Technological Academy (DSTA) in Pyin Oo Lwin, employing five 107-mm rockets.
8. Landmine attack on military vehicle in Pakokku leaves four junta troops injured
The Pakokku Township People’s Defence Team 2, also known as the Young Force UG, announced its collaboration with allied revolutionary forces in executing a landmine attack on a military vehicle transporting military junta troops stationed at Let Pu Kan village monastery en route to Pakokku town in the Magway Region. The incident occurred on the evening of April 9 as the military vehicle traversed between Let Pu Kan village and Chauk Kan village, resulting in injuries to four junta troops.
The coordinated operation involved the Young Force UG, Pakokku People’s Defence Force, Earthquake People’s Defence Force, and Burma Revolution Rangers.
Additionally, the Young Force UG, in conjunction with its allied groups, carried out a previous attack on military junta troops and the Pyu Saw Htee militia stationed in Twin Ma village, dominated by the Pyu Saw Htee militia in Magway Region, on April 7. This attack involved the use of 12 grenade rounds, although the extent of casualties among junta personnel has not been reported yet.
9. Clashes erupt in Mon State’s Kyaikmaraw township, and military junta conducts airstrikes
The Galon Column of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) Southern Command reported that clashes erupted with military junta forces when a column of approximately 30 troops invaded Dhamma Tha village in Kyaikmayaw township, Mon State, on the morning of April 9. Following the skirmishes, the military junta launched four airstrikes using a Mi-35 aircraft before their infantry troops withdrew in the evening. The Galon Column indicated that, based on the initial ground reports it received, there were casualties on both sides, with three members of the Galon Column sustaining non-critical injuries, while the extent of casualties on the military junta side was still being determined.
Similarly, on April 8, around 7:30 p.m., a Y-12 aircraft circled over Dhamma Tha village for three hours before a fighter jet bombed Dhamma Tha village monastery with three 500-pound bombs. During the incident, two members of the New Mon State Party (Anti-Dictatorship) were killed and three other members were injured. Additionally, buildings and pagodas within the monastery suffered damage.
10. Karenni National Solidarity Organisation (KNSO) ends decades-long ceasefire and vows to join armed resistance against military regime
The Karenni National Solidarity Organisation (KNSO), also known as White Star, has officially declared the termination of its ceasefire with the military, which had been in place for over two decades, and has opted to join the fight against the military dictatorship. The announcement was made on April 10.
The KNSO, an ethnic armed group based in Mawchi, Karenni State, had reached a ceasefire agreement with the previous regime on November 9, 2002.
The decision to end the ceasefire was prompted by the military junta’s actions, including aerial bombardments in Khe Ma Hpyu village, where the KNSO is headquartered, and attacks on villages in Mawchi township using rockets. The KNSO strongly condemned the junta’s violence against civilians, which included arrests, killings, imprisonment, torture, arson, and the destruction of civilian property, as well as the detention of thousands of youths and political activists.
The KNSO has pledged to join other armed revolutionary organisations in Karenni State in combating the military junta until the eradication of the military dictatorship and the establishment of a federal democracy.
11. Two junta soldiers from Pakokku LIB-252 surrender and receive 6 million kyats for weapon handover
The Southern Yesagyo PDF, based in Yesagyo, announced on April 10th that two soldiers from the 252nd Light Infantry Battalion (LIB-252) of the military junta surrendered. They surrendered with a MA-1 firearm, one box magazine, and 25 rounds of 5.56 ammunition on April 5th. The surrendered soldiers, 20-year-old Aung San Lin and 18-year-old Aung Thet Paing, were rewarded with 6 million kyats for handing over their weapons and were relocated to a liberated area based on their preference.
According to the Southern YSO PDF, four junta personnel—two soldiers and two policemen—have surrendered to them thus far. Additionally, there are junta personnel who have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) and are fighting against the military junta alongside the Southern Yesagyo PDF.
The Southern Yesagyo PDF extended a warm welcome to more junta personnel wishing to surrender, encouraging them to reach out.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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