FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Brotherhood Alliance seizes control of two more towns
The Brotherhood Alliance seized full control of Kutkai and Hsenwi in northern Shan State on Jan. 7, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) told DVB.
“I dare not say that these areas have been completely peaceful despite these towns being under our control,” said Li Kyar Win, the MNDAA spokesperson. The number of casualties has not been reported.
Kutkai was fully seized from the military after several days of fighting. Hsenwi had been partially occupied by the TNLA since Oct. 29, according to local news outlets. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) participated in the fight for Hsenwi, north of Lashio, Shwe Phee Myay News Agency reported.
Military officials detained for surrendering
A source close to the military told DVB that six brigadier generals and three colonels are under investigation for treason after surrendering to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, on Jan. 4.
A source told DVB that Min Aung Hlaing had reportedly instructed the high ranking officers – including Laukkai Regional Operations Command Brigadier Generals Moe Kyaw Thu and Tun Tun Myint – to surrender.
They are being investigated at the Northeast Regional Command in Lashio. “They were arrested and investigated for doing what they were asked to do. They now face charges of treason,” the source added.
Power supply remains 30 percent below pre-coup levels
Guillaume de Langre, a former advisor to the Ministry of Electricity and Energy under National League for Democracy (NLD) government, told DVB in an interview that power supplies in Burma are currently 30 percent below 2021 production levels.
“The most likely scenario that I see is a stagnation of power supply in the next few years at the current level. Power production today is 30 percent lower, particularly in the dry season. I think that trend is going to maintain itself,” said de Langre.
He added that electricity supplies in the country could worsen depending on energy production in the coming years. Gas production in Burma is projected to decline dramatically in the coming years as fuel and electricity shortages have become increasingly common since the military coup.
News by Region
SHAN—Lashio residents have left their homes to relocate to Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay, and Taunggyi. “Clashes are taking place in villages and outside of the town as we have been hearing artillery shelling every night. So, we decided to move elsewhere,” said Kyaw Kyaw Oo, who lives in Lashio.
Some remaining residents have begun digging bomb shelters inside their homes. At least 16 towns in northern Shan have been seized by the Brotherhood Alliance since it launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27.
ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) stated on Jan. 8 that it had seized Thin Kyeik Taung military outpost in Mrauk-U and Taung Shay Taung military strategic camp in Kyauktaw Township. It had been attacking both outposts since Dec. 25.
The AA added that at least three civilians were killed in Taung Shay Taung on Jan. 6. It claimed that around 200 soldiers in the camp surrendered and that it seized weapons and ammunition.
MON—The Thanbyuzayat police station charged Aung Ko Ko, deputy head of the township general administration and 20 businessmen under the Counter-Terrorism Act on Jan. 8.
“Aung Ko Ko was arrested on Dec. 18 for allegedly leaking information to resistance forces and the National Unity Government. The rest were arrested in connection with him,” said a source close to the police.
They are being investigated inside a military compound in the town. Nearly 900 people have been arrested in Mon State since the military coup, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).
NAYPYIDAW—Ko Ko Hlaing, Moe Aung, and Aung Naing Oo were appointed as regime ministers on Jan. 8. Moe Aung replaced Yar Pyae as the National Security Advisor.
The regime sacked two major generals, along with two brigadier generals, said a source close to the office of the military’s Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Services.
Major Generals Zaw Min Latt and Sitt Naing were replaced as chief of the Eastern Command and director of Security Printing Works. Aung Soe Min and Kyaw Soe Lin were appointed as the commanders of the 55th and 66th LIDs.
“Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Major General Moe Aung, the chief of the Eastern Command, the director of Security Printing Works, and the commanders of the 55th and 66th Light Infantry Divisions were transferred to reserve forces,” the source added.
Born to Myanmar parents in Tokyo, student Yi Mon Myat won the outstanding athlete award at a high school women’s volleyball tournament in Japan.
