FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM

Kachin Independence Army seizes more military outposts 

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) seized the military’s 121 Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) in Mansi Township, and the 370 Artillery Battalion in Momauk Township, of Kachin State on March 23-24.  

“Two women were killed. Almost 10 people were injured. Social welfare organizations from Bhamo have come and taken injured people to the hospital,” said an unnamed source on the frontlines in Kachin State.

The KIA claimed to have captured over 30 military outposts during its offensive against the military along the Myitkyina-Bhamo Road. Its forces took control of the 438 LIB and the 616 Artillery Battalion in Momauk Township on March 21.

Regime accused of neglecting its troops

Military families have accused the regime of planning to host an expensive Thingyan festival in Naypyidaw instead of supporting its troops on the battlefield. Thingyan festivities will take place in four different locations in Naypyidaw and will include a K-Pop concert. 

A policewoman at the military’s Northeastern Command, located in northern Shan State, was outraged over the perceived lack of support for regime troops. “The army provides inadequate support for fallen and displaced soldiers. I am uncertain whether my husband is alive or dead. This is not a time for festivities. Our priority should be assisting [them],” she said.  

Families of military officers that were killed during fighting with resistance forces in northern Shan State claimed they have received inadequate assistance from the regime.

Forty-one administrators resign in Arakan State

Eighteen administrators in Munaung Township resigned as they refused to provide the regime a list of men aged 18 to 35 for military conscription on March 21. A Munaung administrator stated that the regime pressured them to have a list of seven men from each village tract ready by March 16. 

“We heard the resignations of some administrators in Thandwe Township on March 18. So, we decided to join them,” said a resigned administrator. There are five wards and 36 village tracts in Munang Township. 

A total of 41 regime-appointed administrators have resigned from their posts refusing to recruit conscripts for the military. The regime is recruiting conscripts in Taungup, Gwa and Thandwe townships. The military conscription law was activated on Feb. 10.  

News by Region

KARENNI—Karenni resistance forces announced that it took control of seven towns and 81 outposts from the military since it launched Operation 1111. It claimed that it now controlled Mese, Demoso, Shadaw, Ywar Thit, Mawchi, Nanmekhon and Moebye in southern Shan State.

At least 120 have been killed since Nov. 11, according to the Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC). Fighting with the Burma Army continues over control of the state capital Loikaw. “We are in control of at least 65 percent of Loikaw already. But there is still daily fighting,” said Banyar, the IEC second secretary. 

SHAN—Two civilians were killed and three were injured by an airstrike on a hospital in La Ei village of Pekon Township on March 22. The Union of Karenni State Youth (UKSY) claimed that the military dropped four bombs that destroyed the hospital, ambulances, and essential medical equipment stored inside.

“The hospital was recently non-operational for security reasons. After the first bomb struck, some young people returned to the hospital to salvage medical supplies. During this effort, another bomb hit, resulting in the immediate loss of two lives and three injuries,” added Banyar.

NAYPYIDAW—Kyaw Soe Oo, the editor-in-chief of the pro-military People Media, was charged under Sec. 505 (A) of the Penal Code for criticizing the Ministry of Home Affairs on March 20. Others working at pro-military media are reportedly in fear following his arrest.

“He posted in his social media about the police officials not visiting the funeral of a police officer who was killed in the clashes in Kachin State on March 8,” said an unnamed source close to the police department. Kyaw Soe Oo is alleged to have worked as a military lobbyist.  

YANGON—An unnamed group in Yangon claimed responsibility for the deaths of at least 20 Burma Army personnel, including a colonel, during an attack on the Yangon Command Headquarters, located on Pyay Road, Friday. 

“We attacked it with a remote mine as we had been told that top military officials would visit the HQ,” said a spokesperson from the group. A building was reportedly destroyed and others were damaged.