Fighting in northern Shan State during China-brokered peace talks
Peace talks mediated by China between the regime in Naypyidaw and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) began on Sunday. The military and the TNLA continue to fight in Nawnghkio Township of northern Shan State, according to a TNLA source. Nawnghkio is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the regional capital Lashio and 147 miles (236 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi.
TNLA General Secretary Tar Bhone Kyaw shared on social media Sunday that since the regime reached a ceasefire agreement with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on Jan. 18, this means that it has an “upper hand” in the negotiations. He added that the military has been escalating attacks on Taunghkam village in Nawnghkio and Thabeikkyin Township in Mandalay Region.
Nine TNLA representatives, including Vice Chair Tar Jok Jar, are in China for the talks. The TNLA claimed that the military launched nearly 200 artillery rounds and bombed four villages in Nawnghkio on Saturday—one day before the talks began. Eleven townships in northern Shan and Mogok Township in neighbouring Mandalay Region are under TNLA control.
Arakan Army seizes two more regime outposts
The Arakan Army (AA) seized control of two military outposts in Bago and Magway regions located near Arakan State over the weekend, sources on the frontline told DVB. The outposts are situated along the Ann-Padan Road in Ngape Township of Magway, and the Taungup-Pandaung Road in Pandaung Township of Bago. Both roads connect to Arakan.
“The military is trying to recapture the strategic outpost [seized by the AA] but it lost another one,” the source in Bago added. The military’s Pakankwalkya outpost is located 16 miles (25 km) from No. 6 Defense Equipment Factory, known in Burmese as KaPaSa 6. The AA launched its attack on Bago in December.
Fighting between the AA and the military is underway near Okeshitpin town, located 125 miles (209 km) west of the regional capital Bago. 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 January.
Regime officials meet with China and Thailand to discuss cyber scams
Representatives from Burma, China, and Thailand met in Myawaddy Township of Karen State on Monday to discuss the ongoing raids to rescue and release foreign nationals, including Chinese and Thais, trafficked to work at cyber scam centers along the Burma-Thailand border.
“We have adopted various means to address both symptoms and root causes, working together to prevent lawbreakers from crossing borders,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Guo Jiakun at a press conference in Beijing on Monday.
The regime claimed that it repatriated 1,303 foreign nationals, who were suspected of being trafficked into Burma to work at cyber scam centers, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 17. Myawaddy is located 140 miles (225 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An and is across the border from Mae Sot, Tak Province of Thailand. Read more.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The military launched artillery, air- and drone strikes on Minhla village in Sittwe Township on Saturday, a military source told DVB. The AA fired artillery at the regime’s Shwemingan naval base, Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 344, Police Battalion 32, and Regional Operations Command on Monday.
“There’s shooting in Sittwe almost every day,” said the military source on the condition of anonymity. A resident reported hearing the sound of jet fighters overhead on Monday but was unsure if attacks occurred. Fighting in Sittwe began on Jan. 16. The regime sent reinforcements to the state capital on Feb. 9.
AYEYARWADY—Residents from Bogale, Mawlamyine Kyun, and Maubin townships told DVB that more than 100 men, aged 18 to 35, have been conscripted for the tenth intake of military training. Bogale, Mawlamyine Kyun, and Maubin are located 73-100 miles (117-160 km) southeast of the regional capital Pathein.
“[They were] arrested after the military raided the [three] townships,” a Bogale resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A source close to the regime administration said the men were sent to training schools in Pathein and Yangon. Residents claimed that the number of males fleeing conscription has increased since last year.
SAGAING—The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Internal Affairs announced on Monday that it has formed a tribunal to investigate the murder of Catholic priest Donald Martin, also known as Ye Naing Win, in Kandaw village of Shwebo Township on Feb. 14. It vowed to pursue justice for the murdered 44-year-old priest.
“He was [found with] stab wounds on his neck, chest, and body. We arrested 10 suspects,” a People’s Defense Force (PDF) spokesperson told DVB. He added that the 10 were armed resistance members. Cardinal Charles Bo and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Myanmar called for accountability.
The People’s Administration Team in Sagaing Township told DVB that at least three civilians, including a monk, were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on a ferry port along the Chindwin River in Kanni on Monday. Kanni is located 40 miles (64 km) north of the regional capital Monywa.
“There has been no fighting in Kanni for more than two years,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. Residents of Kanni have had to flee their homes due to airstrikes since Feb. 7. Fifteen vehicles, including motorcycles, were destroyed by the airstrikes.
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