Airstrikes target Kachin Independence Army in Kachin State
The Burma Air Force reportedly carried out airstrikes in territory where three Kachin Independence Army (KIA) brigades are located in Kachin State on Saturday. No casualties were reported. This follows an alleged KIA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or drone, strike on the Myitkyina Airport in the Kachin State capital, which is under regime control, on Friday.
A Myitkyina resident told DVB that the Myitkyina Airport will be closed for three months due to the drone strike. Regime media reported that a Myanmar National Airlines passenger airplane was damaged by a KIA drone on Feb. 20. Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, denied the regime’s accusation that it was responsible.
He told DVB that the KIA has only attacked the military airbase in Nanpaung village three miles (4.8 km) from the Myitkyina Airport and that it doesn’t attack civilians. The Myitkyina Airport was reportedly hit by a drone strike, carried out by an unknown armed group, on Feb. 12. Myitkyina is located 63 miles (101 km) north of the KIA headquarters in Laiza.
Kyi Pyar resigns from NUG after being reprimanded
A resignation letter purported to be signed by National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Permanent Secretary Kyi Pyar was shared to social media on Sunday after allegedly being submitted on Feb. 21. It stated that Kyi Pyar was resigning for “health reasons” after the NUG found her “not guilty” of alleged corruption and embezzlement on Feb. 18.
An NUG press conference on Feb. 21 disclosed that Kyi Pyar’s husband Nyi Nyi Min was dismissed from the PMO as treasurer due to “nepotism.” The NUG “strongly warned” him about “sexual harassment” in the workplace. Kyi Pyar has called all accusations against her and Nyi Nyi Min by 12 former PMO staff as “false.” The NUG temporarily suspended the couple from their duties and started its investigation on Nov. 24.
Zaw Wai Soe, the NUG PMO minister, said on Feb. 21 that more action will be taken against Kyi Pyar and Nyi Nyi Min. The NUG has been criticized by the 12 former PMO staff members for not being “thorough,” stating that they will present their evidence to the public for “justice.” Kyi Pyar filed defamation charges against the 12, accusing them of “leaking state secrets” on Feb. 4.
Japan pledges $2.9 million to healthcare for Myanmar refugees
Japan announced that it has pledged 453 million yen ($2.95 million USD) in health assistance to around 60,000 Myanmar refugees living in three camps across Tak Province, along the Thailand–Burma border, after medical facilities in the camps have faced “increasing pressure due to the deteriorating situation” since the 2021 military coup.
“Medical facilities in Tak Province, which host refugee camps, have seen a sharp rise in outpatient and inpatient caseloads, and the healthcare systems of host communities accommodating these displaced persons remain under sustained strain,” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release on Feb. 16.
“Tak Province has experienced growing demand on health facilities due to population movement across the border, placing sustained pressure on frontline services,” stated the World Health Organization (WHO) on Feb. 16. It added that the project is also expected to benefit at least 200,000 Thai people. Read more
Read our latest DVB English News op-ed Myanmar’s tomorrow rests in the hands of its people today by Ma Thida
News by Region
CHIN—The 78th Chin National Day was commemorated in resistance-controlled areas of the state on Friday, as well as in Yangon, Mae Sot, Thailand, Tokyo, Japan, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Events featured traditional Chin dancing, singing and food. Regime media reported an attempted drone attack in the state capital Hakha.
The Chin National Front (CNF) called for unity among resistance forces and pledged to continue efforts at achieving self-determination and territorial integrity. Feb. 20, 1948 is when the traditional hereditary chieftainship system was abolished and a democratic system of self-governance was established.
KARENNI—Sources close to the Karenni resistance told DVB that fighting with regime forces in Hpasawng Township has been ongoing since Feb. 15. No casualties have been reported by either side. Hpasawng, located 73 miles (117 km) south of the state capital Loikaw, is contested between resistance and regime forces.
A source told DVB that once regime control of Hpasawng is achieved, the counteroffensive will move toward Mawchi town. Mawchi, located 19 miles (30 km) southwest of Hpasawng, hosts lucrative tungsten mines. A bridge connecting Hpasawng to Mese town was destroyed by the Karenni Army (KA) on Feb. 17.
YANGON—The Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar (STUM) announced that nine of its members were released from Yangon’s Insein Prison on Thursday after a regime court in Shwepyitha Township ordered them discharged but will hold all evidence against them for an additional 60 days.
Charges were filed against 10 STUM members, including its leader Myo Myo Aye, on Sept. 15 under Section 40 and 41 of the Organization Registration Law and Section 5 of the Law Concerning Recidivism, which have maximum sentences of 3-5 years. Myo Myo Aye was released from prison on Oct. 20.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,880 MMK)
Five of the nine Solidarity Trade Union of Myanmar members released from Yangon’s Insein Prison on Feb. 19. (Credit: STUM)
