German envoy summoned to Naypyidaw over video
The Head of Mission at the German Embassy in Yangon, Mathias Licharz, was summoned by the regime’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Naypyidaw on Tuesday over a video he made on Sunday marking ousted President Win Myint’s 75th birthday under house arrest, where he’s been held since he was released from prison in a regime New Year amnesty on April 17.
“Win Myint is not a free man. He’s not allowed to meet who he wants to meet. And he’s not allowed to communicate independently,” Licharz said in a video posted to the embassy’s social media account on Nov. 8, filmed outside of President Win Myint’s family home in Yangon’s Tamwe Township. The regime accused Licharz of “insulting the Head of State of Myanmar and over 13.13 million voters.”
Licharz recognized Win Myint as the president of Burma. Regime Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Ko Ko Kyaw told the German envoy that if he chose to recognize President Win Myint instead of regime leader Min Aung Hlaing, who was inaugurated by his pro-military administration on April 10, then he may “wish to discontinue his service in Myanmar” without any objection from Naypyidaw.
Read the full article on our website
Thai FM to discuss full ASEAN reintegration with regime
Thai Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow arrives in Naypyidaw today to discuss security along the 1,501 mile (2,416 km) long Thai-Burma border and the “full re-integration” of the regime, since it was excluded after the 2021 military coup, into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) ahead of its summit in Manila, Philippines, on Nov. 16-18.
Win Min, a regional policy analyst, told DVB that intense clashes in Karen State’s Hpapun and Myawaddy townships between regime forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) has worried Thais living along the border in Mae Hong Son and Tak provinces after airstrikes and shrapnel has injured one woman in Tak’s Mae Sot and damaged one hospital and 18 houses in Mae Hong Son’s Mae Sam Laeb.
Four evacuation shelters have been prepared in Mae Hong Son’s Sob Moei district, which lies adjacent to Karen’s Hpapun, to accommodate Thais and people from Burma fleeing their homes into Thailand. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said that his government would allow entry and provide humanitarian assistance to people from Burma under “serious threat” but they must return once fighting ends.
Read the full article on our website
UN Special Rapporteur to visit Rohingya camps in Bangladesh
The U.N. Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burma, Kelley E. Currie started an eight-day mission to Bangladesh on Wednesday to examine the deteriorating conditions for Rohingya living in refugee camps. The visit, which ends on Nov. 18, focuses on humanitarian and security issues along the Bangladesh-Burma border.
The assessment will dedicate specific attention to rapid developments in Arakan State, where the Arakan Army (AA) has seized 14 of 17 townships with residents there facing devastating regime airstrikes, as well as the protection needs of over 1.2 million Rohingya refugees sheltered in Cox’s Bazar and Bhasan Char.
During the mission, Currie will consult with senior Bangladeshi government officials, civil society organizations, humanitarian agencies, and survivors. Her field itinerary includes high-level engagements in Dhaka alongside ground inspections across Cox’s Bazar District and in the world’s largest refugee camp.
Read the full article on our website
News by Region
ARAKAN—A 14-year-old Rohingya male was killed near an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp during airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in Pauktaw Township on Monday. Pauktaw, located 131 miles (210 km) east of the state capital Sittwe, was seized by the Arakan Army (AA) in January 2024.
A Pauktaw resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the boy was fishing in a river near the IDP camp when the airstrikes occurred. No other casualties were reported. At least seven civilians were killed and 17 others were injured by airstrikes on Pauktaw’s Sin Ein village on Oct. 10.
AYEYARWADY—Fuel prices in Pathein, Hinthada, Myaungmya, Maubin, Labutta, Pyabon, Myaungaung, Bogale and Kyonpyaw townships rose from 5,500-7,500 MMK ($1.16-1.58 USD) to 10,000-15,000 MMK ($2.10-3.16 USD) per liter, causing difficulties for motorists and businesses.
“We can’t buy as much as we want. Nobody knew the reason for rising fuel prices,” a taxi driver in the region’s capital Pathein Township told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that the fuel prices have steadily increased since the beginning of the month. Read the full article on our website
SHAN—The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that the state capital Taunggyi Township recorded its highest-ever amount of rainfall in 52 years on Wednesday, with 4.05 inches (103 mm) falling on Nov. 11. A landslide blocked the six-mile (9.7 km) road connecting central Taunggyi to Aythaya Vineyard on Nov. 10.
Residents in Taunggyi’s Kangyi and Pyidawtha wards, as well as in Aungban, Kalaw, Hopong, Nyaungshwe, Laihka and Kholam towns, located 13-106 miles (20-170 km) east and west of Taunggyi, have reported flooding and landslides due to continuous rainfall since Nov. 8. Read the full article on our website
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,760 MMK)
