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Kachin Independence Army attacks regime in Bhamo; South Korean lawmakers meet Myanmar nationals

Kachin Independence Army attacks regime in Bhamo 

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that it, and allied resistance groups, are engaged in combat with regime troops near the Military Operations Command (MOC) 21 in Bhamo Township of southern Kachin State. KIA-led forces seized Artillery Battalion 366 on Sunday, the Bhamo airport on Jan. 26, and an armored battalion on Jan. 25

“We heard that all the regime troops and staff members gathered at MOC 21. The remaining troops at the other camps might also retreat there,” Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, told DVB. Bhamo is located 120 miles (193 km) south of the state capital Myitkyina and 58 miles (93 km) southwest of Laiza, the KIA headquarters.

The KIA-led forces control much of Bhamo except for the MOC 21, Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 47, 236 and 237, as well as engineering, medical and logistics battalions, which remain under military control. The number of residents who have fled their homes and the number of casualties have not been shared due to a telecommunications blackout. The KIA launched its offensive against the military in southern Kachin on Dec. 4.

Sagaing Interim Constitution to address ‘governance gap’

A commission under the Sagaing Federal Unit Hluttaw (SFUH) has published the second draft of an 18-chapter Interim Constitution on Saturday, inviting suggestions from concerned parties within the next month. It outlines a Prime Minister-led parliamentary system of governance. The first draft was published on Oct. 25.

“When I raised an issue with the Union-level entities, they couldn’t make an immediate decision since they’re far from us. By the time they finally did, the situation had already changed,” Myint Htwe, the SFUH Chairperson, told DVB. He added that the Interim Constitution would address the “governance gap” among resistance groups in Sagaing.

Once the Interim Constitution is passed, the region will be renamed the Sagaing Federal Unit. It will retain the same territory as it had under the 2020 general elections. It will continue to recognize Leshi, Lahe and Namyun townships as part of the Naga Self-Administered Zone (SAZ). It will also grant ethnic nationalities the right to establish an SAZ or “national territory.”

South Korean parliamentarians discuss support for Burma nationals in their country at the National Assembly in Seoul on Feb. 3. (Credit: Myanmar Federal Democratic Mission Coalition)

South Korean lawmakers meet Myanmar nationals 

The National Unity Government (NUG), along with anti-coup activists based in South Korea, met with parliamentarians to discuss support for Burma nationals living in the country at the National Assembly in the capital Seoul on Monday. Academics from Seoul National University (SNU) and other Korean institutions attended.

“The meeting was organized by democratic members [from the South Korean government]. They wanted to hear our concerns and promised to raise these issues in parliamentary sessions so they can explore ways to help,” Kyaw San, a Burma national who attended the meeting, told DVB. Yan Naing Tun, the NUG representative in South Korea, participated in the discussion.

It focused on support for Burma nationals to remain legally in South Korea. Seoul introduced new measures last November for those not able to return to Burma. This included recognizing passport stamps issued by the NUG, extending stay permits, and expediting humanitarian visas, which allows Burma nationals to remain in South Korea. The regime has called these measures “illegal.” 

News by Region

ARAKAN—Aid groups in Gwa Township told DVB that three civilians, including a five-year-old boy, were killed after unexploded ordnance (UXO) was detonated by three children accidentally in Taikyo village on Monday. Gwa is located 250 miles (402 km) south of the Arakan State capital Sittwe. It has been under Arakan Army (AA) control since Dec. 29.   

“A boy died instantly and two children were seriously injured. Two adults died from the explosion,” an aid worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity. DVB has documented that 62 civilians have been killed, and at least 55 others have been injured, by airstrikes and artillery shelling on Ramree, Mrauk-U, Rathedaung, Ponnagyun and Gwa townships in January. All five are under AA control.

KACHIN—Residents living along the Burma-China border in Kachin State have reported that trade gates have reopened, but Burma nationals are not permitted to cross. In Mai Ja Yang and Lweje, border gates only allow Chinese traders to collect sugarcane, while goods from China may only enter Burma through smuggling routes.

“Myanmar nationals with valid border crossing permits can still enter and exit at the Kanpaikti border gate,” said a truck driver on the condition of anonymity. The border gate in Kanpaikti town is located in Waingmaw Township. The KIA controls border gates at Kanpaikti, Pangwa, Lweje, Manweingyi, and the Narpan gate in Laiza.

KARENNI—The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC), a provisional government established by resistance forces in 2023, claimed on Friday that since last year the military has killed over 100 civilians and has injured over 450, while committing at least 108 human rights violations in Karenni, including 48 in Pekon Township of southern Shan State. 

The IEC called on the international community to halt the supply of weapons and the sale of aviation fuel to the military. Khu Oo Reh, the IEC chairperson, said that it has set up 14 civilian-led administrative townships in resistance controlled areas of Karenni. He added that the IEC will work toward building international support for its administration.

SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) instructed its commanders to prevent further disputes with members of the KIA. This follows a video on social media showing a fight between members of the two ethnic armed groups in Namphatka village of Kutkai Township, located 47 miles (75 km) north of Lashio in northern Shan State, on Jan. 26.

“The senior leaders from both sides have already discussed and agreed to coordinate. If such an issue arises again in the future, we have been told to manage it cautiously,” said a source from the TNLA on the condition of anonymity. The TNLA controls 11 townships in northern Shan and Mogok in neighbouring Mandalay Region. 

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,550 MMK)

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