Spring Revolution Local News – 2024 May 22 (Evening)

Summary of News

2. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun speaks at International Day of Vesak Commemoration

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, the Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, addressed the International Day of Vesak commemoration held in New York on May 20, 2024. In his speech, he expressed his deepest gratitude to the venerable monks for their prayers and profound Dhamma sermons. He also extended his gratitude to the Permanent Representatives of Sri Lanka and Thailand and their teams for co-hosting the annual celebration of Vesak Day, which is the most sacred day for Buddhists.

He elaborated on Vesak Day, known in Myanmar as Full Moon Day of Kason or Buddha Day, and its significance in promoting efforts to bring happiness to the vulnerable. Reflecting on current global conflicts and social issues, he underscored the growing humanitarian concerns and the urgency of embodying the Buddha’s teachings of tolerance, compassion, and mutual respect.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun emphasized the relevance of the Four Noble Truths—suffering, its causes, its cessation, and the path to its end—in understanding and addressing the ongoing crisis in Myanmar caused by the military junta’s actions. He urged everyone to stay true to these teachings, fostering loving kindness and compassion.

He concluded his address by extending wishes for peace and stability in Myanmar and globally and offering his hopes for the health and happiness of all members of the international community.

3. US Department of State Calls for Protection and Accountability Amid Violence in Rakhine State

On May 21, Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the United States Department of State, issued a statement addressing the escalating violence and intercommunal tensions in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. The statement expressed deep concern over reports of towns being burned and residents, including Rohingya, being displaced. It highlighted troubling reports of forced conscription of Rohingya, along with the spread of disinformation and hate speech.

The statement emphasized the military’s history of genocidal acts and other crimes against humanity targeting Rohingya, as well as its role in stoking intercommunal tensions. This history, combined with the current increase in violence, poses grave dangers to civilians and raises the risk of further atrocities.

The US government called on Myanmar’s military and all armed actors to protect civilians and ensure unhindered humanitarian access. The statement urged international partners to condemn the violence, hold perpetrators accountable, and provide protection to those fleeing the violence to prevent future atrocities. The United States remains committed to promoting justice for victims and holding those responsible for abuses accountable, and will continue to impose costs on the military and other armed actors involved in such activities.

4. Mandalay strike group joins Kason festival of pouring water on sacred Banyan, prays for revolution’s success and true happiness of Myanmar people

On May 22, the Mandalay Strike Group announced their participation in the “Kason festival of pouring water on the sacred banyan.” They stated, “On the sacred Kason full moon day, Buddha triumphed over Mara, making it a day of victory. On this special day, we prayed for the swift completion of the People’s Spring Revolution against the terrorist military junta, which is worse than Mara.”

They emphasized that “true happiness for the oppressed people cannot be found through fake festivals. Real happiness will come from festivals celebrated when the military dictatorship ends completely.” They also wished for the people of Myanmar to enjoy a free and peaceful life as soon as possible.

5. Junta’s arrests in Sittwe focus on non-local ID holders

Local media reports reveal that the military junta is arresting individuals with non-local IDs in Sittwe, Rakhine State. Western News reports that at least 300 people were detained in April and May under the pretext of a guest check. Of those arrested, 200 were non-residents from various parts of Myanmar who had come to Sittwe for work and were staying in monasteries due to accommodation difficulties.

The junta’s security forces have been conducting raids in wards such as Ywa Thar Yar, Myauk San Pya, Ohn Ta Pin, Ywa Gyi Myauk, and Kal Sal Yay, targeting monasteries and detaining residents under the pretext of checking guest lists.

6. Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein expresses gratitude for 3.8M views of “Don’t Cry” short film on Facebook in two days, asks YouTube viewing

On May 22, Singer Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein thanked the public for the overwhelming support of her short film “Don’t Cry,” which garnered 3.8 million views on Facebook within two days. She also encouraged fans to watch the film on YouTube.

“Don’t Cry,” featuring a heartfelt song composed by Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, tells the emotional story of a young revolutionary fighting against military dictatorship and his lover. The film, starring actor Daung and Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein, was uploaded to Facebook at 7:00 p.m. on May 19. It quickly gained popularity, reaching 1 million views in less than 4 hours and 2 million views within 16 hours.

Military News

7. Military bombards KIA HQ in border town Laiza, China signals warning across border

Local sources report that Chinese authorities were compelled to activate warning signals when the Myanmar military junta launched airstrikes on the Laiza area in response to the joint forces led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) capturing Shwe Nyaungpin LIB-321 in Waingmaw township, Kachin State.

Joint forces led by the KIA captured the military junta’s LIB-321 of Shwe Nyaungpin, which was firmly built on Bhamo-Waingmaw Road, at around 8:30 PM on May 21.

According to sources, at around 11:00 p.m., following the capture of the military base, the military junta launched three bombing raids on the Laiza area, next to the Chinese border where the KIA headquarters is situated.

Local residents of Laiza claimed that when the military aircraft came to conduct its third airstrike, it was alerted by a warning signal of sparks fired from the Chinese side. After at least 4 explosions were heard, signal sparks were fired from the Chinese side.

A military source, a CDM captain, revealed that the military has employed tactics of firing heavy weapons at Laiza, targeting the headquarters, and bombing with airpower whenever their military bases are captured.

KIA-led joint forces have captured LIB-321 in Waingmaw, but they still need to capture LIB-58 in the town. Currently, the local people are fleeing the war because the military is still tense near Waingmaw.

8. Amid AA’s advances, junta prepares Manaung (Cheduba) Island in southern Rakhine as final defensive stronghold 

According to local sources, the military junta is fortifying Manaung Island, also known as Cheduba Island, in southern Rakhine State as their final stronghold amid the Arakan Army’s (AA) offensives in northern Rakhine State. The sources report that the junta is extending the Manaung runway by 1,500 feet, increasing its total length from 5,200 feet to 7,000 feet, and building 8-foot-high brick walls along the entire 300-foot perimeter of each runway. Additionally, there are indications that Manaung is being prepared to become the main base for the Western Regional Military Command.

As the military bases and towns fell one after another, the military junta had to abandon their initial plan to expand the airstrip and instead transform Manaung Island into their final stronghold.

Western News reported that the military junta is not only preparing the Manaung airstrip for military use, but it has also been constructing an 8-foot-high brick wall around the Manaung soccer field to transform it into a military facility. The preparations have been underway since March, and at present, about 40 percent have been completed, according to local residents.

At present, since the Arakan Army has not yet entered Manaung Island, the local residents may face pressure from the military junta, and young people may be forced to serve in the military, according to military observers. Covering an area of approximately 21 miles, Manaung Island relies primarily on air and sea transport, as it is inaccessible by land.

The Arakan Army AA has occupied the rest of the towns except Maungdaw, Sittwe, and Ann in the northern part of Rakhine State and has opened a war front in the southern region, so there are fierce battles with the military junta troops around Thandwe. The Arakan Army is striving to capture the cities in the southern part of Rakhine State, starting from Thandwe.

9. Six civilians killed by military junta’s air and naval assaults in Paletwa and Rathedaung

According to information sources in the Rakhine State, 6 civilians were killed due to military airstrikes and naval gunfire in Paletwa township in Chin State and Rathedaung township in Rakhine State.

On the evening of May 21, the military junta bombed the village of Upper Taron Ai in the Paletwa three times, killing five civilians and seriously injuring 10 civilians.

Arakan Princess Media, which reports local news in the Arakan language, said that the dead were 2 Kumi people and 3 Rakhine people. As a result of the air strike, a house and a shop in the village of Upper Taron Ai in Paletwa were also destroyed.

Similarly, in Rakhine State’s Rathedaung township, a civilian was killed when a military council’s naval ship opened fire with heavy weapons, the source said. A 69-year-old man who fled the war was reportedly killed and 6 others were injured in the morning of May 21 when a military council’s naval ship in the sea west of Thawin Chaung Village in Maungdaw township opened fire on the Zaytipyin Village in Rathedaung township.

10. Yesagyo Revolution Group camp raided, losses estimated at 80 million kyats

On May 22, the Yesagyo Revolution Group (YRG) announced that their camp was raided on May 17 at 5:00 a.m. The raid resulted in the loss of significant equipment, including 600 rounds of Type 81 Chinese-designed rifle ammunition, 200 rounds of AK rifle ammunition, 30 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 3 hand grenades, 2 ENERGA bombs, a car, 3 motorcycles, and other landmine equipment.

The total value of the lost items is nearly 80 million kyats. YRG has requested public assistance following the raid.

11. Five military junta troops posing as PDFs rob 10 million kyats and gold near Taik Pagoda in Takaung

On May 22, the Takaung People’s Defense Team reported an incident from May 20. At 8:30 p.m., five members of the military junta, posing as PDFs, carried out a robbery near Taik Pagoda in Takaung, Mandalay. Armed with knives, they stole approximately 10 million kyats in cash and some gold. The Takaung People’s Defense Team clarified that the robbery was not carried out by genuine PDF forces.

12. Yangon-based UG executes IED attack on Aung Thapyay Police housing in Mayangon

On May 21, at around 9:05 p.m., a Yangon-based UG group, NOKA-UG, attacked the Aung Thapyay police compound of the Yangon Police Force using two remote-controlled mines as part of an urban guerrilla operation. Following the explosion, military junta troops arrived in four vehicles to inspect pedestrians and residents. Despite strict inspections, the NOKA-UG operatives who carried out the attack reportedly escaped unharmed.

NOKA-UG announced plans to intensify urban guerrilla operations and urged civilians to avoid military-related areas and support their ongoing efforts.

#Credit : Radio NUG

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