Summary of News
- Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe encourages Rohingya to join revolution to end military dictatorship
- Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun highlights Myanmar artists’ resolve against military dictatorship
- Blood Money Campaign highlights international inaction one year after Kanbalu’s Pazigyi massacre
- KNU Headquarters announces capture of last military junta base, Infantry Battalion 275, in Myawaddy; Cache of seized weapons and ammunition revealed
- Rocket strike hits Naypyidaw’s Aye Lar air base again, resulting in fatalities among air force officer and soldiers
- A fire engulfs Yaw People’s Defence Force headquarters battalion dormitory, losses estimated at over 3 million kyats
- Two junta soldiers lost their lives in a landmine attack on a military convoy en route from Sagaing to Myinmu
- Police lance corporal from Chin State defects to Yaw People’s Defence Force (YPDF)
1. Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe encourages Rohingya to join revolution to end military dictatorship
U Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister for Human Rights within the National Unity Government (NUG), urged the Rohingya individuals to actively engage in the ongoing revolution alongside the entire population of Myanmar to overthrow the military dictatorship. His call came during a video message addressed to Rohingya communities on the occasion of Eid, delivered on April 10.
As a Rohingya himself, Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe underscored the historical marginalisation and mistreatment faced by Rohingya and Myanmar Muslims, highlighting their relegation to lower citizenship status, even being denied their citizenship rights by some. He highlighted instances where their contributions to the nation were disregarded by successive military regimes, including the erasure of their existence from historical narratives. He lamented the genocidal atrocities committed against Rohingya in 2006–2007, attributing the responsibility to the military, which forcibly displaced hundreds of thousands of Rohingya. Additionally, he pointed out the ongoing forcible recruitment of Rohingya into the military in various Arakan townships, orchestrated by the military to sow interethnic discord.
In light of these challenges, Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe called for vigilance and unity, portraying the current juncture as an opportune moment to showcase collective discipline, solidarity, and goodwill for the country. He urged Rohingya, alongside citizens from all ethnic backgrounds, to actively engage in the revolution and collaborate towards the eradication of military dictatorship.
He expressed confidence that, as the military faces daily defeats, its abuses will come to an end.
2. Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun highlights Myanmar artists’ resolve against military dictatorship
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, emphasised that despite facing numerous challenges, many artists in Myanmar remain steadfast in their commitment to opposing the military dictatorship through their professional endeavours. Speaking at the “Defending Creative Voices: Protection of Artists in Time of Emergencies” event organised by UNESCO and the Artists at Risk Connection (ARC) on April 9, 2024, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun stated that since the illegal military coup in February 2021, thousands of artists from diverse backgrounds have joined the nationwide strike against the military junta, advocating for the restoration of democracy and supporting the Civil Disobedience Movement. He noted that artists have played a crucial role in the revolution, with some joining defence forces on the ground, others hiding, and some seeking refuge in areas controlled by ethnic resistance organisations and border towns in neighbouring countries due to the junta’s atrocities.
Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun underscored the resilience of these artists, noting their continued dedication to opposing the military dictatorship through their professional work. Some have produced resistance-themed movies or short films, while others have organised performances, art exhibitions, comedy shows, and music events to support the resistance movement.
However, he also noted that some artists have struggled to make a living in foreign environments, resorting to working in various industries such as sushi shops, casinos, and food delivery services. He called on the international community to provide full support to these Myanmar artists, enabling them to continue their invaluable contributions to the arts and the resistance movement.
3. Blood Money Campaign highlights international inaction one year after Kanbalu’s Pazigyi massacre
Blood Money Campaign (BMC) has highlighted the concerning lack of international action one year after the tragic massacre in Pazigyi village, Kanbalu township, Sagaing Region. The statement released by BMC on April 11th, 2024, marks the anniversary of the devastating event, where nearly 40 children and over 170 civilians lost their lives during an airstrike conducted by the military junta. The military junta bombarded the opening ceremony of the local administration office, where donations of food were made, with a jet plane. BMC stated that the survivors were also pursued and shot at by military aircraft. Despite condemnation from the international community, BMC noted that meaningful action has yet to be taken to address the situation.
The statement emphasised the ongoing civilian casualties resulting from daily airstrikes, such as those witnessed in Pazigyi, which the junta is able to carry out due to unhindered access to aviation fuel from the international community. Between February 2021 and December 2023, over 1,650 airstrikes occurred, claiming the lives of nearly 950 civilians, including numerous children. BMC emphasises the urgent need for effective measures and decisive action to halt these atrocities.
BMC highlighted a recent development on April 4th, 2024, when the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a resolution concerning Myanmar. The resolution urged member states to refrain from exporting, selling, or transferring jet fuel to Myanmar, marking the first such call from the UN. However, BMC expressed disappointment over the delayed decision, which has contributed to increased casualties over the past three years, while underscoring the urgent need for truly effective measures and decisive action.
The organisation called for the immediate cessation of all exports, sales, or transfers of aviation fuel to the Myanmar junta by UN member states and their companies.
4. KNU Headquarters announces capture of last military junta base, Infantry Battalion 275, in Myawaddy; Cache of seized weapons and ammunition revealed
On April 11, the Karen National Union (KNU) Headquarters officially declared the seizure of the final military junta stronghold, Infantry Battalion 275, located in Myawaddy, revealing a cache of confiscated weaponry and ammunition.
The statement emphasised that despite providing the opportunity for surrender, Infantry Battalion 275 opted to resist and call for reinforcements. Consequently, a coalition of revolutionary forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), alongside the Karan National Defence Organisation (KNDO) and other allied revolutionary groups, initiated an offensive against the base on April 8. The operation culminated in the successful capture of the base at 4:20 a.m. on April 11, accompanied by the seizure of numerous weapons and ammunition. The statement reassured residents to remain calm and emphasised the necessity of cooperation, as all military junta bases in Myawaddy had been overtaken. It indicated that area clearance operations would continue to track down and eliminate any remaining junta soldiers.
As a result of the conflict, numerous residents fled to Mae Sot, Thailand, while others remained within the town, as reported by those who sought refuge in Mae Sot.
Residents residing near the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 1 on the Myanmar side indicated that those who remained in the town were hesitant to venture outside due to the potential presence of fleeing military junta troops.
Additionally, there were reports of military junta troops who fled from Infantry Battalion 275 seeking asylum in Thailand, along with their weapons, near Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge No. 2. However, as of 12:00 p.m., their asylum requests had not been granted.
5. Rocket strike hits Naypyidaw’s Aye Lar air base again, resulting in fatalities among air force officer and soldiers
According to military sources, the Aye Lar air base in Naypyidaw was hit by a barrage of five 107-mm rockets around 4:50 a.m. today, resulting in the deaths of an air force officer and several junta soldiers. The attack also caused damage to an aircraft hangar housing multiple planes and destroyed a Thingyan pavilion under construction for the visit of junta chief Min Aung Hlaing and other military officials.
In response to the attack, the military junta has initiated searches and checks for potential rocket launch sites using aircraft, as reported by local residents and news sources.
The assault was orchestrated by the Mountain Knights Civilian Defence Force (MKCDF) with support from the Brave Warriors for Myanmar (BWM). This marks the fourth such attack on the Aye Lar air base by revolutionary forces. The BWM emphasised that this latest strike demonstrates their capability to target even the most secure and advanced military installations of the junta, and affirmed their commitment to continue targeting military targets across the country to advance the revolution.
6. A fire engulfs Yaw People’s Defence Force headquarters battalion dormitory, losses estimated at over 3 million kyats
In the early hours of April 10, a fire broke out at the headquarters battalion of the Yaw People’s Defence Force (YPDF), resulting in significant losses estimated at over 2 million kyats. This marks the third fire incident within the span of three years for the YPDF.
The fire reportedly spread to the dormitory despite efforts to contain it with fire barriers, resulting in the destruction of blankets, mosquito nets, clothing, appliances, a generator, and a dynamo housed within the dormitory. Fortunately, all YPDF personnel are reported to be safe.
7. Two junta soldiers lost their lives in a landmine attack on a military convoy en route from Sagaing to Myinmu
The Moe Nyo Revolution Force (MNRF) reported that they conducted a landmine attack on two military vehicles carrying junta soldiers travelling from the 33rd Infantry Division in Sagaing to Myinmu. The attack, involving a large improvised mine, occurred around 2:30 p.m. on April 10, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers in the vehicle’s head room and injuring several others, according to the MNRF.
Following the landmine explosion, junta troops aboard the vehicles reportedly opened fire indiscriminately. However, members of the revolutionary forces involved in the operation emerged unscathed.
The operation was a joint effort involving the MNRF, PENTAGRAM, and the 2nd Battalion of the People’s Defence Force in Kyaukse District. The MNRF advised the public to steer clear of the military junta troops and locations.
8. Police lance corporal from Chin State defects to Yaw People’s Defence Force (YPDF)
The Yaw People’s Defence Force (YPDF) announced on April 11 that a female Police Lance Corporal, whose identity remains undisclosed, stationed at the Falam District Police Force in Chin State, operating under the military junta, has defected to the YPDF. The YPDF facilitated her defection with assistance from the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) and Chin National Army (CNA). She has since been integrated into local people’s administrative teams as she expressed a desire not to remain armed.
This defection marks the fourth instance of police personnel and a non-armed government employee previously serving under the military junta joining the YPDF. Additionally, approximately 100 individuals have sought refuge with the YPDF after fleeing from villages controlled by the junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee militias.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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