Deadly junta shelling forces mass exodus from Myanmar’s historic Mrauk-U, Rakhine

December 25, 2023

Tens of thousands of people have fled Mrauk-U, the ancient capital of Rakhine, after indiscriminate junta shelling killed at least three people and seriously injured a five-year-old girl on Sunday, local residents and volunteers said, The Irrawaddy reports. The 700-year-old town has been under relentless junta bombardment since the Arakan Army launched predawn attacks on Continue Reading

Myanmar military should be investigated for war crimes: Amnesty International

December 22, 2023

Amnesty International said on Thursday that Myanmar military should be investigated for war crimes for indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets as well as the use of banned cluster munitions in response to the major offensive launched by ethnic armed groups and allies in late October, The Irrawaddy reports. “Myanmar’s military has unlawfully killed, arbitrarily detained Continue Reading

Few places in Myanmar still safe for junta boss to visit

December 17, 2023

Here is the grim reality for Myanmar junta chief Min Aung Hlaing: his freedom of movement is now severely restricted, The Irrawaddy reports. Yes, you read that right. He can no longer travel freely across the country, as he did before. The number of areas he can safely access has shrunk as the war against […]Continue Reading

Myanmar rebels seize town from military junta despite China-backed ceasefire

December 17, 2023

Clashes have raged across Myanmar’s northern Shan state since the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint offensive late October, AFP reports. The three allied groups – known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance – say they have captured military positions and border Continue Reading

UK hits Myanmar border guard force colonel, two others, with sanctions

December 10, 2023

The United Kingdom on Friday slapped sanctions on a leader of Myanmar junta-affiliated Border Guard Force (BGF) Colonel Saw Chit Thu and two others involved in the controversial Shwe Kokko new city gambling project in Karen State, over allegations of human trafficking, forced labor and human rights violations, The Irrawaddy reports. The other two people […]Continue Reading

Thailand, Myanmar to form aid task force as border unrest intensifies

December 9, 2023

Thailand and conflict-torn Myanmar will create a task force to boost humanitarian assistance to people displaced by fighting and could expand that to include other aid agencies, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Friday, Reuters reports. Thailand hopes the plan will lead to constructive engagement between military-ruled Myanmar, the Association of Southeast Asian Continue Reading

Bodies of Myanmar resistance fighters slain near India border town show signs of torture

December 9, 2023

A column of junta troops preparing to retake Sagaing Region’s Khampat Town arrested and stabbed dead four resistance fighters who were guarding one of its entrances on Tuesday, The Irrawaddy reports. Photos of the deceased showed knife wounds as well as signs of torture. The strategic town on the border with India is on the […]Continue Reading

Myanmar junta asks China to pressure Brotherhood Alliance to end offensive

December 8, 2023

When junta foreign minister Than Swe met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing on Wednesday, he asked China to use its influence over the Three Brotherhood Alliance to encourage it to stop fighting and enter peace talks with the regime, sources said, The Irrawaddy reports. Than Swe held direct talks with Wang Yi on Wednesday after […]Continue Reading

US criticises Israel on Gaza civilian toll as UN to hear ceasefire demand

December 8, 2023

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in his strongest public criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war on Hamas in south Gaza, said there was a gap between the government’s declared intentions to protect civilians and the casualties, Reuters reports. “As we stand here almost a week into this campaign into the south … it […]Continue Reading

Thailand, Myanmar to form aid task force as border unrest intensifies

December 8, 2023

Thailand and conflict-torn Myanmar will create a task force to boost humanitarian assistance to people displaced by fighting and could expand that to include other aid agencies, Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Friday, Reuters reports. Thailand hopes the plan will lead to constructive engagement between military-ruled Myanmar, the Association of Southeast Asian Continue Reading