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Arakan Army claims 15 bombs dropped by military in Rakhine State; Malaysia to ‘prioritize’ Myanmar crisis at ASEAN

Arakan Army claims 15 bombs dropped by military in Rakhine State

At least nine civilians were killed and 30 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Kyauktaw Township in Arakan State on Saturday. The Arakan Army (AA) claimed that 15 bombs were dropped on Kyauktaw town, including its market, which is located 50 miles (80 km) north of the state capital Sittwe. Kyauktaw has been under AA control since last February.

“All actors should stop using explosive weapons with wide-area effects where there is likely to be a high concentration of civilians,” stated the Action on Armed Violence (AOAV), a U.K.-based charity that records, investigates and disseminates evidence of armed violence against civilians worldwide, to ensure the respect and protection of their rights and to end armed violence against civilians in conflict.

Airstrikes killed at least 42 civilians in Ramree Township of central Arakan State on Wednesday. Ramree town came under AA control last March. The Blood Money Campaign, a coalition of anti-coup activists, is calling for a global aviation fuel ban on Burma. The U.N. urged both the regime in Naypyidaw and the AA to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. 

Malaysia to ‘prioritize’ Myanmar crisis at Association of Southeast Asian Nations

As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2025 chair, Malaysia wants to prioritize Burma’s crisis since the 2021 military coup and position ASEAN as a leading economic bloc, according to Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. He added that ASEAN must find solutions to challenges in the region and ensure that no member state is left behind. 

“This involves tackling complex issues, such as Myanmar, because the foundation for economic growth lies in peace, political stability, effective economic policies, private sector participation and efficient public sector governance,” said Anwar during a speech in Kuala Lumpur last week.

Malaysia officially assumed the ASEAN chair on Jan. 1, taking over from Laos, which handed over responsibilities during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Vientiane on Oct. 11. Malaysia will host more than 300 meetings and summits throughout the year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” Previously, Malaysia chaired ASEAN in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

Michael Sladnick is an American pro-democracy activist who works along the Thai-Myanmar border. (Credit: DVB)

Learning Burmese to assist the anti-coup resistance

American pro-democracy activist Michael Sladnick joined the DVB Newsroom to share his journey about how he first learned about what was happening in Myanmar following the 2021 coup. He then learned to speak Burmese, and moved to Thailand to provide assistance to Burma’s anti-coup resistance.

“I really believe in Myanmar people. They’re really inspiring. So I believe for my own life, that if I do my best for Myanmar people, that my own future will be okay,” said Sladnick. With an optimistic outlook for the nationwide resistance in 2025, he added: “If I tie my own destiny to theirs, you know, I am confident that my future will be okay as well.”

To learn more about Sladnick’s pro-democracy activism in the U.S. and his work on the Thailand-Burma border, watch DVB Newsroom season 2 episode 5 on DVB English News YouTube or Spotify. It’s also available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get podcasts.

News by Region 

KACHIN—At least 15 civilians have been killed and 10 others have been injured by airstrikes on a gold mining site in Tsan Lun village of Danai Township on Saturday. Nine shops were also destroyed. Danai is located 116 miles (186 km) from the Kachin State capital Myitkyina in an area controlled by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Brigade 2. 

“Those gold and amber mining sites were seized by the KIA in May. There were no ongoing clashes at the moment. The victims were locals and people from other places working there,” a Danai resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The number of casualties caused by military airstrikes in recent weeks has not been shared by the KIA.

KARENNI—Residents of Loilenlay town in Loikaw Township told DVB that two children were killed and five houses were destroyed by an artillery strike carried out by the military on Thursday. “It was an intentional attack targeting civilians. Now locals do not dare to stay in the area,” said a Loilenlay resident. 

Loilenlay town is located six miles (9 km) from Hsihseng, Shan State, where Karenni forces had killed three PNO members and seized its outpost on Jan. 9. Hsiseng, in southern Shan, is located 47 miles (75 km) north of the Karenni State capital Loikaw. 

MANDALAY—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Nyaung-U announced that it will launch an operation against the military in Bagan in accordance with the regulations set by the National Unity Government (NUG). Bagan is six miles (9 km) west of Nyaung-U and 113 miles (181 km) from the city of Mandalay. 

“We will defeat military targets and its affiliated groups in accordance with the rules and we promise the safety of the temples,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. He urged people to avoid visiting temples in Bagan and that the PDF won’t take responsibility if this warning is not followed. The PDF in Nyaung-U claimed that it killed more than 70 military personnel in 2024.   

SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on Saturday that it will resume its cooperation with the resistance to the 2021 coup during its 62nd Ta’ang National Revolution Day on Jan. 11. It added that it wants to expand the Palaung Self-Administered Zone into five districts, including 18 towns, in northern Shan during a meeting Jan. 3-7.  

“We will defeat the military to ensure our people’s long term prosperity,” stated the TNLA in its press release. It claimed that the military is committing war crimes by conducting air and artillery strikes, arson attacks, and killing civilians in response to losses on the battlefield. The TNLA has seized control of 11 towns in Shan and Mogok in Mandalay Region since it launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.  

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,600 MMK)

Read: Ngwesaung Initiative: The feasibility of a political pact in Myanmar. Find DVB English News on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube.

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