International Criminal Court seeks arrest warrant for Min Aung Hlaing

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan applied for an arrest warrant to be filed against Min Aung Hlaing with the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber 1 on Wednesday. He’s in Bangladesh this week to continue his investigation of alleged crimes committed during the 2016-2017 violence in northern Arakan State and the subsequent exodus of Rohingya from Burma into Bangladesh. 

“After an extensive, independent and impartial investigation, my Office has concluded that there are reasonable grounds to believe that Senior General and Acting President Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Defence Services, bears criminal responsibility for the crimes against humanity of deportation and persecution of the Rohingya, committed in Myanmar, and in part in Bangladesh,” stated Khan on Nov. 27.

Khan previously met with Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh to gather evidence for the ICC investigation into its case of alleged forced deportations from Burma into Bangladesh from July 4-7, 2023. The ICC authorized a petition from its chief prosecutor’s office to investigate alleged crimes committed by the military against the Rohingya in 2019. The U.S. government labeled the 2017 attacks in Burma on the Rohingya as genocide in 2022. 

Watch our DVB English News explainer on the ICC Bangladesh/Myanmar case.

China supports ‘peace process’ in Myanmar

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning said that Beijing continues to support Burma’s peace process during a press conference in the Chinese capital on Tuesday. It was in response to a question asked by a journalist about the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announcement that it is ready to hold peace talks with the regime in Naypyidaw.

“We firmly oppose wars and turbulence in Myanmar. We have been urging all parties to the conflict in northern Myanmar to stop the fighting, resolve issues through dialogue and consultation,” said Mao Ning. “China will continue to actively promote talks for peace and provide support and assistance to Myanmar’s peace process to the best of our capability.”

Fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance, which consists of the TNLA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Arakan Army (AA), has been ongoing in northern Shan State since it launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023 with a pause in fighting from Jan. 11 to June 25. China has closed border gates adjacent to areas controlled by the Brotherhood Alliance and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) to pressure the ethnic armed groups to cease fighting against the military. The KIA launched its offensive on March 7.

Thailand seeks solution to border dispute with United Wa State Army

Thailand’s Defense Council held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss the country’s border dispute with the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Thai PBS reported. The Thai military ordered the UWSA to withdraw from nine camps it claimed are located in northern Thailand’s Mae Hong Son Province near the Burma border by Dec. 18.

“The issue seems to have been caused by an unmarked border line, but we will ensure that they leave our territory,” said Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand’s Defence Minister. He downplayed the threat of armed conflict with the UWSA, adding that the Thai military prefers a negotiated solution to the border dispute despite Thai media reporting that artillery units were on standby.

Thirat Sombatsiri, a spokesperson of the Royal Thai Army, stated that tensions at the border are not yet at the level that would lead to military intervention. The UWSA administers Wa State – officially known as the Wa Self-Administered Division – an autonomous territory that exists along Burma’s borders with China and Thailand. It has refused previous requests by Thailand to withdraw from its camps located along the Burma-Thai border.

News by Region

KACHIN—Kanpaikti residents living near the Burma-China border reported that the KIA has allowed trucks carrying perishable goods to use the town’s border gate into China since Monday. The KIA seized control of Kanpaikti in Waingmaw Township, which is located 78 miles east (126 km) east of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina, on Nov. 20. 

“China nationals are transporting their goods that were stuck in Burma. Chinese people can enter China from the Burma side but are not allowed to go back. Burma nationals are also allowed to cross from the Chinese side but not allowed to go back into China,” a Kanpaikti resident told DVB. The KIA continues to block the transportation of rare earth minerals and other commodities.

ARAKAN—An unknown number of homes and religious buildings have been destroyed by retaliatory airstrikes conducted by the Burma Air Force since the AA launched its offensive against the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 544 and 346 and No. 5 Operation Command Headquarters in Taungup Township on Sunday. The local news agency Lay Waddy FM reported that the AA seized control of the two LIBs after military personnel surrendered on Monday. 

“Taungup residents who fled the town left their vehicles at a monastery. A bomb landed on the monastery during airstrikes and destroyed vehicles too,” a Taungup resident told the Narinjara News agency. Taungup is located 284 miles (457 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. The AA launched its most recent offensive against the military in Arakan on Nov. 13, 2023.  

MAGWAY—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) Battalion 16 under the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense claimed that five of its members who had been detained at Yaepya police station in Pauk Township escaped on Monday. Pauk is located 137 miles (220 km) north of the Magway Region capital.

“Three comrades from our battalion were arrested at a checkpoint near the station in August while they were traveling. The other two PDF members were arrested in May. They broke out of their jail cells in the early morning, escaping,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB.

SAGAING—Four civilians, including a young girl, were killed by artillery fired by the military on Letpanchaung village of Kalay Township on Tuesday. An unknown number of civilians were injured and at least three homes were destroyed in the village, which is located 144 miles (232 km) miles northwest of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. 

“Our village is the biggest and most crowded after Kalay town. Artillery shells landed on a home and a shop, killing four civilians instantly. They [military] continued firing artillery shells,” a Letpanchaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A PDF member claimed that it is not fighting with the military near Letpanchaung.

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,480 kyat)