Summary of News
- National Unity Government to host International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024; Acting President and Union Prime Minister to participate
- Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung asserts: ‘Spring Revolution Continues Unabated’
- Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration conducts office management skill training for local administrative teams in Mandalay Region
- Deputy Regional Commander of NUG’s Southern Military Region engages with Special Operation Force (SOF-P29999) leaders to discuss operations
- Kawlin PDF reveals 13-day resistance against junta troops in Kawlin town
- Elderly woman killed, over 100 houses burned in military junta’s arson attack on Khoe Than village, Monywa
- KIA-led forces launch coordinated offensives on multiple junta bases in Kachin State
- Sagaing PDF conducts mine attack on junta convoy in Myinmu township
- UNOCHA Report: Arakan Army advancing towards Sittwe, Rakhine’s capital, increased shelling by junta forces in Sittwe
- Launlon PDF medical team offers healthcare to 2,327 residents in Launlon township in three months
1. National Unity Government to host International Women’s Day (IWD) 2024; Acting President and Union Prime Minister to participate
The upcoming March 8 marks International Women’s Day (IWD), a global occasion commemorating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women worldwide. The theme for International Women’s Day 2024 (IWD 2024) is “Count Her In: Invest in Women. Accelerate Progress.”
The Ministry of Women, Youth, and Children Affairs (MOWYCA) is coordinating social media initiatives of the Profile Change Campaign as part of IWD 2024. These initiatives aim to acknowledge and honour the sacrifices, resilience, and courage of women actively engaged in the struggle, from front lines, rear lines, and various other roles, for a federal democratic union and the eradication of military dictatorship by participating in the ongoing Spring Revolution.
Leaders of the National Unity Government (NUG), including Acting President Duwa Lashi La, Union Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, Union Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe, Union Minister Dr. Tu Hkawng, Deputy Minister Ja Htoi Pan, Deputy Minister Dr. Sai Khaing Myo Tun, and Deputy Minister Khun Baham Hta, are participating in the Profile Change Campaign to honour women’s leadership, resilience, and participation.
On March 8, at 10:00 a.m., MOWYCA will host an online conference celebrating IWD 2024. Acting President Duwa Lashi La, Union Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann, MOWYCA Deputy Minister Daw Ei Thinzar Maung, and Singer & Composer Phyu Phyu Kyaw Thein will join the event. The conference will be live-streamed on the Facebook pages of MOWYCA, PV TV, Mizzima News, DVB News, and Khit Thit Media.
2. Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung asserts: ‘Spring Revolution Continues Unabated’
In a social media status on March 7, Union Minister of Foreign Affairs Daw Zin Mar Aung said, “May all those fighting for the emergence of a federal democratic union and the development of secular laws promoting justice, freedom, and equality remain safe. The momentum of the Spring Revolution continues unabated.”
By the end of 2023, the revolutionary forces had escalated their military operations and effectively carried out battles to capture towns. And today, the forces led by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have reportedly launched coordinated offensives against numerous junta bases in Kachin State.
3. Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration conducts office management skill training for local administrative teams in Mandalay Region
The Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration under the National Unity Government (NUG) has initiated the Office Management Skill Training programme aimed at enhancing the office management skills of township administrative teams in Mandalay Region.
Scheduled to span two days from March 7th to March 8th, the training sessions focus on equipping participants with essential competencies in inventory management and office operations. This initiative underscores NUG’s commitment to bolstering the capacity of local administrative personnel to effectively carry out their duties.
4. Deputy Regional Commander of NUG’s Southern Military Region engages with Special Operation Force (SOF-P29999) leaders to discuss operations
In a statement released by the Special Operation Force (SOF) on March 7, it was reported that Deputy Regional Commander Comrade Saw Shar of the Southern Military Region visited the Special Operation Force (SOF-P29999) on March 4. During the visit, Deputy Regional Commander Saw Shar held a meeting with the leaders of the SOF.
The meeting was attended by office members, commanders, and company commanders from SOF Column 1 and Column 2. Discussions during the meeting centred around military office procedures, military operations, and other necessary requirements within the force.
5. Kawlin PDF reveals 13-day resistance against junta troops in Kawlin town
On March 7, the Kawlin People’s Defence Force (KLPDF) made a disclosure stating, “We cannot adequately express the bravery, dedication, and resilience demonstrated by our members in their unwavering efforts to prevent the military council from seizing control of Kawlin, merely with words. We were well aware of the dire consequences of allowing the town to fall into their hands, which is why, without hesitation, we courageously confronted the advancing junta forces, numbering over 1,000, with whatever strategic weapons we had at our disposal, despite lacking adequate weaponry and manpower. Not because we were skilled in military strategy, not because we had a complete structure of weapons and ammunition, or because we were strong. We did not fight for honour. It was our commitment to safeguarding the lives and properties of our people that motivated us to remain in the town and defend it for thirteen days.”
The KLPDF underscored their expectation for assistance from the NUG government while they were under siege by junta forces. They stated, “Although we realised that our defence might not suffice, we clung to the hope that the government would provide us with some form of support during this challenging period. However, the efforts of our comrades proved futile, and we were unable to safeguard the things we sought to protect. Some of our comrades bravely sacrificed their lives during this battle, and their selflessness holds more significance than mere accolades in history and bowing down to honour. Many others were injured as well.”
The KLPDF affirmed that although they are saddened by the sight of the town in ruins, they remain resolute in their revolutionary spirit, viewing the atrocities committed by the junta as further fuel for their determination to continue the fight.
6. Elderly woman killed, over 100 houses burned in military junta’s arson attack on Khoe Than village, Monywa
Local news sources report that on March 5, around 2:00 p.m., military junta forces carried out arson attacks in Khoe Than village, located in Monywa township, Sagaing Region. More than 50 junta troops arrived from Min Tae village and entered Khoe Than village, where they proceeded to shoot guns and set fire to water supply machines and houses without provocation. Tragically, an elderly woman lost her life, and over 100 houses were destroyed as a result of this senseless violence. This incident marks the second time Khoe Than village has been targeted by such attacks, with approximately two-thirds of its 400 houses now destroyed by the military junta forces.
Over the past few weeks, military junta forces have been advancing into villages near the headquarters of the junta’s Northwestern Military Command and the No. 508 Artillery Battalion. Reports indicate that nearly 500 houses across approximately 10 villages, including Khoe Than village, have been destroyed in these attacks thus far. Additionally, the junta forces indiscriminately shelled villages with artillery, resulting in the death of a 13-year-old girl and injuries to at least five others.
7. KIA-led forces launch coordinated offensives on multiple junta bases in Kachin State
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA)-led forces have initiated synchronised attacks on 12 junta bases in Momauk and Waingmaw (Waimaw) townships since February 27. According to reports from KIA sources, additional coordinated offensives have been launched against 30 more junta bases starting at 5:30 a.m. today, March 7, resulting in escalated conflict in Kachin State. Among the targeted junta bases are those situated near KIO/KIA’s headquarters in Laiza, including the 321st Infantry Battalion base close to Shwe Nyaung Pin village in Waingmaw, the Nlung Hka militia outpost in Waingmaw, the Ntap Bum strategic hill-base outpost, and an outpost near Sha Dan Par village in Momauk.
As of 9:00 a.m. this morning, the combined forces have reportedly seized control of five significant junta bases, including the reported death of a strategic commander from the junta, although this information is still awaiting confirmation.
8. Sagaing PDF conducts mine attack on junta convoy in Myinmu township
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) Battalion of Sagaing District 6 executed a mine attack on a military junta convoy, which consisted of two 6-wheeled trucks, a private vehicle, and a Canter, as it departed from its base in Htee Saung village and travelled through Myinmu township, between Htee Saung village and Pyaw village, around 4:00 p.m. on March 6.
The Sagaing District 6th Battalion said that the mines successfully hit the junta convoy, while noting that the extent of damage on the junta’s side was still being investigated. The attack was reportedly executed by three members of the Sagaing District 6th Battalion.
9. UNOCHA Report: Arakan Army advancing towards Sittwe, Rakhine’s capital, increased shelling by junta forces in Sittwe
The latest UNOCHA Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot for Asia and the Pacific, released on March 5th, reports heightened armed clashes, including airstrikes and artillery shelling, in several townships across Rakhine.
The report states, “In Rakhine, ongoing armed clashes involving airstrikes and artillery shelling have intensified in many townships with affected communities becoming increasingly stressed and the Arakan Army moving closer to the state capital, Sittwe. Since late February, there has been an increase of shelling from Myanmar Armed Forces bases in Sittwe Town. On 29 February a stray shell landed in the downtown market in Sittwe and is believed to have killed at least 21 civilians and injured more than 30 others. An estimated 148,500 people have been newly displaced in Rakhine and Paletwa in Chin since the previous informal ceasefire broke on 13 November 2023. Nationwide, more than 2.7 million people are now displaced.”
10. Launlon PDF medical team offers healthcare to 2,327 residents in Launlon township in three months
The Launlon township people’s defence team (LLPDF), affiliated with the National Unity Government (NUG), announced on March 7 that its medical unit had delivered healthcare assistance to 2,327 individuals within the township during three months between December 2023 and February 2024. This effort was facilitated by the NUG’s central committee for coordinating with people’s defence forces and supporters of the revolution at home and abroad.
#Credit : Radio NUG
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