Arakan Army accused of executing prisoners of war
The regional human rights organization Fortify Rights has accused the Arakan Army (AA) of executing prisoners of war in a report, based on leaked video footage, released on Thursday. It called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate extrajudicial killing by the AA for the torture and murder of two detainees in front of a shallow dirt pit in the ground.
“Torturing and summarily executing civilians or captured enemy soldiers are war crimes,” said Ejaz Min Khant, the human rights associate at Fortify Rights. “Captured enemy soldiers should always be treated with dignity as prisoners of war and afforded the protections of the Geneva Conventions, and those responsible for war crimes against detainees should be prosecuted.”
Fortify Rights analyzed two leaked video recordings from Dec. 25 and Jan. 19 showing the alleged executions and believes they are authentic. The two victims do not appear to be dead by the end of the videos but are unlikely to have survived the incident due to the nature of their injuries and the attack. Fortify Rights was unable to verify the exact location of the incident.
Malaysia optimistic about resolving Myanmar crisis at ASEAN
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has called for stronger actions to address Burma’s crisis, which has engulfed the country and has crippled the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since the 2021 military coup, stressing the need for inclusive governance to restore peace and stability in the region.
“I am cautiously optimistic. We will coordinate with the United Nations, and ASEAN will continue to discuss this issue,” Anwar said at the ASEAN Plenary Session at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025. “We’ve agreed that countries like Thailand will engage with Myanmar at a different level, and we will coordinate our efforts. However, we remain wary of repeating the mistakes of the past decades.”
Anwar added that while the ASEAN approach to Burma was measured, there was a growing willingness for engagement with the regime in Naypyidaw, which has been excluded from summits and meetings since Min Aung Hlaing agreed to the Five Point Consensus, which is the ASEAN peace plan, but did not implement it upon his return to Burma in April 2021.

Vietnam Prime Minister meets UN Special Envoy on Myanmar
Vietnam state media reported that Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met with U.N. Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop on the sidelines of the WEF 2025 in Davos, Switzerland to discuss Burma. He said that Vietnam is ready to exert all efforts to bring peace and stability to Southeast Asia and Burma in particular
“Việt Nam opposed embargo measures that negatively impact the lives of the Myanmar people and the Myanmar issue must be resolved by the Myanmar people themselves, through agreement, compromise, and the involvement of all relevant parties,” said Vietnam Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Wednesday.
State media added that Bishop stressed the need to prioritise Burma and urged all parties to exercise restraint, cease violence, ensure security and safety for civilians, and begin dialogue among all relevant stakeholders to find a peaceful solution to the crisis. She affirmed her commitment to closely cooperate with ASEAN to promote dialogue in Burma.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—At least six people, including a police officer, were killed and more than 400 homes, including a school and a monastery, were destroyed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in Pathein Township Jan. 8-18. Fighting between the AA and regime troops continues in Magyizin, Bawmi and Chailel villages near Shwethaungyan town, located 43 miles (69 km) northwest of the regional capital Pathein.
“At least eight airstrikes were carried out and most victims were civilians, but we don’t know who or where they were from,” a Shwethaungyan resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A source close to the regime’s administration claimed that there were hundreds of military personnel killed during fighting. The AA stated on Monday that it is attacking areas bordering Arakan in Ayeyarwady, Magway and Bago regions.
MANDALAY—The Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF) told DVB on Wednesday that fighting against the military has resumed in Madaya and Thabeikkyin townships, as well as Nawnghkio Township in neighbouring Shan State, since Jan. 21. Madaya, Thabeikkyin and Nawnghkio are located 24 miles (39 km) north, 89 miles (143 km) north and 75 miles (120 km) northeast of Mandalay.
“There is ongoing fighting in at least three places in Madaya as the Burma Army scales up its forces continuously. They also conducted daily artillery shelling from the town to the resistance controlled areas,” the MPDF spokesperson told DVB. He added that fighting resumed in Nawnghkio and Thabeikkyin, which were seized by resistance forces on July 10 and Aug. 25.
SHAN—Nawnghkio residents told DVB that 10 civilians were killed and one other was seriously injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on the town Wednesday. Nawnghkio is located 96 miles (154 km) south of Lashio in northern Shan State. It was seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on July 10.
“A jet fighter dropped a bomb onto a tea shop beside the town’s police station in the afternoon. We don’t know anything about the victims,” a Nawnghkio resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The TNLA claimed that two bombs landed near the Nawnghkio police station. This is the second time the town has been attacked by aerial bombardments this week.
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