Summary of News
- National Unity Government designates military junta’s central recruitment body for conscription and affiliates as terrorist organisations under Counter-Terrorism Law
- NUG Foreign Affairs Minister holds talks with French Senator
- Deputy Human Rights Minister urges unity, stating present as optimal moment to set aside differences
- Ministry of Health condemns military junta’s brutal attacks on Myanmar’s health sector, documenting over 1,200 incidents since the 2021 coup attempt
- Interim Local Public Administration Central Committee holds regular meeting with local administration bodies from Yangon Region
- Discussion on Myanmar junta’s oppression featured in Debate on ‘Freedom of People Oppressed by Communist China’ held in Paris
- Octopus youth group staged 91 guerrilla protests, 140 public mobilisation campaigns against military dictatorship over a three-year period
- Arakan Army successfully seizes control of last military junta base in Minbya, Rakhine State, after 10 days of offensive
- Pa-O Ethnic Army advises against traveling to Hsihseng town, urge public caution
- Ambush on military junta column in Paukkhaung, Bago Region, eliminates three junta troops
- Military junta troops murder two civilians in Madaya township and set homes ablaze
1. National Unity Government designates military junta’s central recruitment body for conscription and affiliates as terrorist organisations under Counter-Terrorism Law
On February 27, the Central Committee for Counter-Terrorism, operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration within the National Unity Government, issued a statement declaring the military junta-established Central Body for Summoning People’s Military Servants, tasked with overseeing conscription, and its associated entities as terrorist organisations in accordance with the Counter-Terrorism Law.
The statement underscored that the military junta, identified as a terrorist group lacking legitimate authority to enact laws, forcibly activated conscription laws. Subsequently, it formed the Central Body for Summoning People’s Military Servants, arresting civilians for use as porters, and coercing civilians into military service. This has instilled fear and panic among the populace, compelling youths to abandon their education and employment and flee to border areas and neighbouring countries to seek refuge. This displacement has resulted in job losses, increased human trafficking along border regions, a surge in cross-border crimes, and the emergence of security threats to neighbouring nations.
Furthermore, the actions of the Central Body for Summoning People’s Military Servants, such as forcefully arresting civilians, using them as porters, conscripting them against their will, subjecting them to military training, and dragging them into terrorist organisations, are deemed violations of Section 3 of Chapter 1 of the Counter-Terrorism Law. Consequently, the National Unity Government has officially designated the Central Body for Summoning People’s Military Servants, established by the terrorist military junta, and its affiliated entities as terrorist organisations.
2. NUG Foreign Affairs Minister holds talks with French Senator
Foreign Affairs Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung of the National Unity Government (NUG) engaged in discussions with French Senator Mr. Pascal Allizard on February 28, according to a release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Senator Allizard played a leading role in working towards the adoption of a resolution to recognise NUG as a legitimate government of Myanmar in the French Senate, the upper house of the French parliament,in 2021.
Accompanied by NUG’s representative to France, Daw Nan Hsu Mon Aung, Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung met with Senator Allizard at the French Senate. During the meeting, Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung explored avenues for practical assistance from the French government to Myanmar and discussed potential areas for cooperation, as well as providing updates on the current developments in Myanmar’s revolution.
Senator Allizard reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the people of Myanmar and engaged in discussions concerning ongoing processes during the meeting.
3. Deputy Human Rights Minister urges unity, stating present as optimal moment to set aside differences
On February 28, U Aung Kyaw Moe, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasised in a social media post the critical significance of unity and the need to set aside differences at this juncture.
“In times of political necessity, prioritising national interests and long-term advantages is crucial. At this critical juncture and pivotal moment, it is the best time for individuals from diverse backgrounds, including Rohingyas from various walks of life, as well as intellectuals, professionals, politicians, women, youth, activists, and those engaged in democracy and federal union affairs, to set aside their differences and come together in unity,” Deputy Minister U Aung Kyaw Moe said.
Currently, the military junta has activated the conscription law, posing a threat to people of all races and religions.
4. Ministry of Health condemns military junta’s brutal attacks on Myanmar’s health sector, documenting over 1,200 incidents since the 2021 coup attempt
On February 28, the Ministry of Health under the National Unity Government (NUG) released a statement condemning the military junta’s deliberate targeting of health facilities and personnel.
According to the Ministry of Health’s statement, citing Insecurity Insight, the military junta has carried out over 1,200 brutal attacks on the health sector, destroyed 308 facilities, killed 104 healthcare workers, and inflicted injuries on 136 healthcare workers.
The Ministry of Health strongly condemned these extremely inhumane acts of violence by the terrorist military junta and expressed solidarity with the United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA), the people of Arakan, and citizens across Myanmar, including those in Sagaing Region. The Ministry stands on the side of justice and vows to fight alongside them against the terrorist military dictatorship.
Despite numerous challenges and obstacles, the Ministry of Health pledged to continue delivering healthcare services with the assistance of heroic healthcare professionals, ethnic organisations, local groups, and the community.
The statement urged the international community to take immediate and robust action to halt the Myanmar military junta’s escalating attacks on the health sector and innocent civilians through all available means. It called on the international community to stand in solidarity with the suffering people of Myanmar.
Additionally, the Ministry vowed to seek legal redress for the lives lost among innocent civilians and healthcare workers, ensuring that justice is served to the terrorist military junta and its accomplices.
5. Interim Local Public Administration Central Committee holds regular meeting with local administration bodies from Yangon Region
The 4th regular meeting of 2024 between the Interim Local Public Administration Central Committee and the township people’s administrative teams from Yangon Region was held in the afternoon of February 27.
The meeting commenced with an opening address delivered by the Permanent Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, who also serves as the secretary of the Interim Local Public Administration Central Committee. This was followed by discussions on the current on-the-ground situations and challenges.
Attendees included members of the Interim Local Public Administration Central Committee representing various ministries, including permanent secretaries, deputy permanent secretaries, associate permanent secretaries, and other relevant officials, as well as leaders and members of the township people’s administrative teams from Yangon Region.
6. Discussion on Myanmar junta’s oppression featured in Debate on ‘Freedom of People Oppressed by Communist China’ held in Paris
On February 27, 2024, Myanmar democracy advocates in France participated in an evening debate centred around the theme of ‘Freedom of Peoples Oppressed by Communist China’ in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The event brought together defenders of freedom and democracy, including experts on Tibet and China, journalists, Tibetan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnamese students in France.
Myanmar democracy advocates addressed the oppression perpetrated by the Myanmar junta during the discussion. The Tibetan community in France organised the event, which was attended by Deputy Mayor Kévin Havet of the 18th arrondissement, responsible for security, municipal police, and nightlife, as well as Councillor Geneviève Garrigos and other municipal officials.
7. Octopus youth group staged 91 guerrilla protests, 140 public mobilisation campaigns against military dictatorship over a three-year period
The Octopus youth group released a statement on February 28, marking its third anniversary since founding. According to the statement, despite stringent security measures and covert arrests by the military junta, the group has organised 91 guerrilla protests against the military dictatorship over the past three years. Additionally, it has conducted 15 instances of hanging motivational slogans and banners near prominent locations and historical sites in Yangon. Moreover, the group has conducted over 140 online campaigns to mobilise people for social and economic punishments. Furthermore, it has provided six free-of-charge education and training programmes targeted at youth.
Throughout the three years of the attempted military coup, one member of the Octopus was killed while peacefully protesting, and 12 others were arrested and subsequently imprisoned.
8. Arakan Army successfully seizes control of last military junta base in Minbya, Rakhine State, after 10 days of offensive
On February 27, the Arakan Army (AA) declared that it had completely captured the military junta’s No. 9 Military Advanced Training Depot, also known as the No. 9 Central Military Training School, subsequently took control over the entire Minbya township. Situated near Kanni village, this depot serves as a crucial base and is the sole remaining stronghold of the junta remained in Minbya township. This achievement occurred on the tenth day of the AA’s offensive, which began on February 17 and successfully concluded at 7:00 p.m. on February 26. Despite the junta’s vigorous defence efforts, including coordinated airstrikes and ground artillery shelling, the AA managed to secure the base. Subsequently, numerous bodies of junta soldiers were discovered within the base, along with a substantial cache of military equipment.
The AA paid tribute to its troops for their bravery and sacrifice during the intense battles. It reaffirmed its ongoing efforts to capture junta bases across various townships in Rakhine State, including Rathedaung, Ponnagyun, Buthidaung, and Maungdaw townships.
Furthermore, the AA’s statement highlighted the military junta’s continued targeting of civilians in Rakhine State. At about 2:00 a.m. on February 27, the military launched an airstrike on a village hospital in Min Hpu village, Minbya township, resulting in the destruction of several facilities inside the hospital compound and injuries to numerous civilian patients and healthcare workers. Similarly, on the same day, the military junta carried out another aerial bombardment on Thay Kan village in Minbya township, injuring more than 10 internally displaced individuals and causing damage to houses, schools, and barns.
The Arakan Army (AA) noted that as the military junta faces military setbacks on the Rakhine military front, it has resorted to brazenly committing war crimes and deliberately targeting civilians, towns, and communities in retaliation.
9. Pa-O Ethnic Army advises against traveling to Hsihseng town, urge public caution
On February 28, the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) reiterated its warning for the public to refrain from travelling to or returning to Hsihseng under any circumstances.
The ethnic army specifically cautioned displaced individuals against trusting unverified information circulated online, prompting them to return to the town. They highlighted instances where civilians who returned to retrieve belongings were killed due to artillery and drone strikes by the military junta. The army urged individuals to verify information and rely solely on official news releases to avoid unnecessary harm.
10. Ambush on military junta column in Paukkhaung, Bago Region, eliminates three junta troops
According to a statement issued by the Paungde People’s Defence Force (PPDF), which serves as Battalion 3601 of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Pyay District, Bago Region, a coordinated PDF force launched an ambush on a military junta column consisting of approximately 46 troops advancing in Paukkhaung township, Bago Region, around 4:00 p.m. on February 25. This ambush resulted in the deaths of three junta troops.
Despite the military junta troops retaliating with both light firearms and artillery, the PDF members managed to withdraw without sustaining any injuries.
The operation was conducted collaboratively by Squadrons 2 and 5 of the Paungde People’s Defence Force (PPDF or Battalion 3601), Squadrons 3 and 4 of Battalion 3602 of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Pyay District, and the Paukkhaung township people’s defence team (Paukkhaung Pa-Ka-Fa).
11. Military junta troops murder two civilians in Madaya township and set homes ablaze
According to local reports, a military junta unit conducting raids in Madaya township, Mandalay Region, arrested and killed two civilians and set fire to homes on February 27.
The military junta troops stationed in Madaya town arrived in four Faw trucks and a private car around 3:00 a.m. on February 27, conducting raids in Myo Din village, Sin Yar village, and Myit Kan village. The troops arrested a 58-year-old man from Myo Din village and a 38-year-old man from Thae Phyu Chaung village, subsequently killing them, as reported by the Madaya township people’s defence team. Additionally, the troops reportedly looted valuables from the villages and set fire to two houses in Sin Yar village and eight houses in Myit Kan village. It is reported that these troops, including members of the junta-backed Pyu Saw Htee militias who had completed military training, returned to Madaya town after carrying out the attacks.
In Madaya township, where resistance against the junta is strong, military junta forces frequently carry out arson attacks and massacres.
#Credit : Radio NUG
#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar
