Myanmar introduces new fuel control measures
The regime’s National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) announced the launch of a fuel rationing system for private vehicles on Wednesday, blaming disruptions to the global energy supply chain caused by escalating hostilities in the Middle East. The new regulations, effective on March 7, were a response to “global political situations” and armed conflict in the Middle East, which have obstructed oil shipments.
Under a new “even-odd” licensing scheme, even-numbered plates will only be allowed to drive on even dates, and odd-numbered plates on odd dates, the announcement said. Electric vehicles, electric motorcycles, and public transportation such as trains and buses are exempt. The NDSC warned businesses and individuals not to hoard fuel for resale at inflated prices, saying that violators would be prosecuted.
Residents in Yangon expressed concern that the rationing plan would drive up the cost of living and further complicate daily life in a city already plagued by power outages. “Operating vehicles on alternating even and odd days based on license plate numbers is an incredibly frustrating system for people in a city like Yangon, where we depend so heavily on cars,” a Yangon resident told Reuters. Read more
CPJ calls on Naypyidaw to free all jailed journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) welcomes the release of at least four journalists as part of an amnesty of more than 7,300 prisoners convicted of terrorism, but urges regime authorities to free all remaining jailed reporters. All those released had been detained for their reporting following the 2021 military coup, when authorities intensified use of anti-state provisions to target and imprison independent journalists.
Those released include Hmu Yadanar Khet Moh Moh Tun, Myat Kalay (Naing Win Tun), Than Htike Myint and Yan Naing Soe, according to DVB and data compiled by the Independent Myanmar Journalists Association (IMJA) and the Independent Press Council Myanmar (IPCM), which communicated with CPJ by messaging app and email, respectively.
Shin Daewe, who is serving a 15-year sentence for terrorism, was also scheduled for release, but was still being held in detention as of Wednesday morning, the same sources said. The four released journalists were convicted under the Anti-Terrorism Law, with their sentences ranging from five to 13 years. CPJ ranked Burma second behind China in its snapshot of jailed journalists worldwide with at least 30. Read more
Is Iran’s ‘shadow fleet’ fueling regime airstrikes?
Publications released by Amnesty International and Reuters on Jan. 25-26 shared evidence that the import of aviation fuel into Burma is now being enabled by Iran’s “shadow fleet.” Justice for Myanmar (JFM) referenced the reports in its Feb. 23 statement calling on the E.U., the U.K., the U.S., Canada and Australia to impose coordinated sanctions against four vessels and eight owners based in Vietnam, the UAE, and the Marshall Islands.
“We are watching for any impacts the current escalation in the Middle East may have on the junta’s aviation fuel supply, not just because of the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran but also Iranian retaliation targeting the UAE, whose companies have been involved in multiple shipments to Myanmar,” Yadanar Maung, the JFM spokesperson, told DVB in a response on March 2 after we requested an interview to learn more about Iran’s role.
JFM called on the international community to urgently identify, target, and sanction any company or country involved in the Burma regime’s aviation fuel supply chain. It recommends targeting specific ships, their owners, managers, fuel terminals, and the Myanma Petrochemical Enterprise (MPE). To date, Canada is the only country to ban the export, sale, supply and shipment of aviation fuel into Burma.
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News by Region
ARAKAN—Muslim residents in the state capital Sittwe told DVB that nearly 50 men, including administrators from nine Muslim villages, have been arrested by the Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs, known as SaYaPha in Burmese, for alleged associations to the Arakan Army (AA) since January.
A Sittwe resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the arrests were targeting the Muslim community. Another resident said that some of the arrested were charged under the Counter-Terrorism Law and Unlawful Associations Act. Orders were given to shoot anyone attempting to evade arrest, sources told DVB.
KARENNI—The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) stated that a total of 855 civilians and over 4,080 military personnel have been killed in 2,135 airstrikes and 1,539 clashes between regime and resistance forces in Karenni since Feb. 1, 2021. A total of 140 civilians have been detained or arrested by the military, according to PKPF.
It claimed that 3,294 homes, 65 religious buildings, 32 schools and 19 clinics and hospitals have been destroyed since 2021. Four aircrafts and over 60 military vehicles have been destroyed. A member of the Karenni resistance told DVB that hundreds of residents fled their homes due to a regime attack in Moebye on Sunday.
SAGAING—A People’s Defence Force (PDF) member in Katha Township told DVB that around 100 regime employees have been detained and are being held in a village near the town after they fled fighting between the PDF and regime forces on Dec. 28. Katha is located 223 miles (359 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
The regime employees are not allowed to leave nor return to Katha but are allowed to “roam freely” in the village, the PDF member added. The PDF and its allied Kachin Independence Army (KIA) attacked the regime’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 309 on Dec. 28. Katha residents told DVB that there’s been no fighting so far this month.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,940 MMK)
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