Beijing urges Bangkok to continue utility ban on Myanmar scam hubs
Thailand’s Ministry of Defence spokesperson Thanathip Sawangsang told Thai media on Tuesday that Beijing has asked Bangkok to continue its electricity, internet and fuel supply ban on Burma’s border towns despite Naypyidaw’s objections. A proposed joint mechanism between China, Thailand and Burma seeks to prevent cyber scam centers from relocating to other areas or countries, the spokesperson added.
“The measure has now delivered tangible results and gained international recognition,” said Thanathip Sawangsan, quoting Chinese officials on the actions taken by Thailand. Bangkok cut power and fuel to Karen State’s Myawaddy and Payathonzu townships, as well as Shan State’s Tachilek Township on Feb. 5. Naypyidaw said that the power outage has impacted residents and healthcare services.
It told officials that it will take responsibility for repatriating human trafficking victims from cyber scam centers run by pro-military armed groups, including the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF). More than 1,000 cyber scam suspects were arrested by the BGF in Shwe Kokko on Tuesday. It is located 15 miles (24 km) north of Mywaddy town along the Burma-Thai border.
Arakan Army attacks regime outpost in Magway Region
The Arakan Army (AA), along with allied resistance forces, launched an attack on the Natyekan strategic outpost located along the Ann-Padan Road in Ngape Township of Magway Region, military sources told DVB on the condition of anonymity on Tuesday. This follows the AA seizure of a sentry post at Mahtone village on the road connecting Arakan State to Magway Region on Sunday.
“The military provided air support, and the outpost at Gotegyi village also fired artillery,” said the source, while adding that the regime reinforced the Natyekan outpost with personnel from the Light Infantry Division (LID) 99 and artillery battalions in Padan village. The regime wants to take back its Western Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Ann Township, which came under AA control on Dec. 16.
Ngape Township is 48 miles (77 km) west of the regional capital Magway and is where the Defence Equipment Factory 14, known in Burmese as KaPaSa 14, is located. Thirty-five miles (56 km) north is Sidoktaya Township, which hosts KaPaSa 20. The AA launched its offensive along Ann-Padan Road last month. It has expanded its Arakan offensive to neighbouring Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions since then.
Airstrike kills four in Mandalay Region
Four civilians were killed, and at least seven others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Tawinboh village of Myingyan Township, Mandalay Region, on Monday. Tawinboh is located eight miles northeast of Myingyan, which lies 66 miles (106 km) southwest of Mandalay city.
“A fighter jet from the Meiktila Air Force Base conducted the airstrike. The attack caused injuries [and] destroyed several homes,” a Myingyan People’s Strike Committee spokesperson told DVB. “When locals were transporting severely injured victims to Myingyan Hospital, one woman with a severed arm died from blood loss,” a People’s Defense Force (PDF) spokesperson told DVB.
The PDF claimed that the Air Force dropped a 500-pound bomb on Tawinboh village. Earlier on Monday, over 100 homes were destroyed by arson. These attacks followed fighting between the military and resistance forces on Feb. 1. Four female village residents were killed by unidentified gunmen, who accused them of aiding resistance forces, on Jan. 29, 2024.
News by Region
SHAN—Hsihseng Township residents told DVB that the pro-military Pa-O National Army (PNA) is charging its trainees 1,500 MMK ($0.33 USD) per bullet during training. Hsihseng is located 31 miles (50 km) south of the Shan State capital Taunggyi and 38 miles (61 km) north of the Karenni State capital Loikaw.
“They provide the weapons. Before, trainees received 10 bullets for free. But now, even those who can’t afford it must pay and fire at least 10 bullets,” a Hsihseng resident who recently completed the training told DVB. The PNO has been recruiting and training residents in the Pa-O Self-Administered Zone since June 2022.
MANDALAY—The National Unity Government (NUG) Interim Heritage Management Central Committee condemned the military on Sunday for conducting airstrikes on land located between Jokan and Kyaukpyinkan villages in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bagan on Feb. 13.
It accused the regime in Naypyidaw of the destruction of non-military targets and cultural heritage sites, which could be considered a war crime. The NUG added that the military is using local youth as forced labour. UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, recognized Bagan as a World Heritage Site in 2019.
AYEYARWADY—Sources close to the regime administration told DVB that at least 11 homes located in Zalun, Ngayokekaung, Yegyi, Thabaung, Kyaiklat and Shwethaungyan townships were sealed off by the authorities in January. The townships are located 28-106 miles (45-170 km) from the regional capital Pathein.
“These homes belong to civilians. The regime’s administration informed the police force to seal the homes,” a source from the regime administration told DVB. Most of the home owners have been charged by the regime for violating the Unlawful Associations Act, as well as the Counter Terrorism and Sedition laws.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,480 MMK)
