Myanmar resistance groups repeat calls for federalism on Union Day
In a joint statement released on Wednesday to commemorate Burma’s 78th Union Day, resistance groups and civil society organizations called the country’s highly centralized system of governance led by the military a failure and repeated calls for the need to replace it with what they have outlined as a “bottom up federalism approach.”
The Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), the Chin National Front (CNF), the New Mon State Party – Anti-Dictatorship (NMSP-AD), the Karenni State Consultative Council (KSCC), the Pa-O National Federal Council (PNFC), the Mon State Federal Council (MSFC), the Ta’ang Political Consultative Committee (TPCC), and the Women’s League of Burma (WLB), called for federalism.
On Feb. 12, regime leader Min Aung Hlaing repeated his calls for ethnic armed organizations to pursue political dialogue and support his planned elections, which are tentatively scheduled for November. Union Day commemorates the signing of the Panglong Agreement in 1947, which aimed to establish a federalist system of governance in Burma.
Rakhine State residents flee Arakan Army attack
Sittwe Township residents told DVB that only government workers, labourers, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from nearby villages remain in the Arakan State capital, while many families have fled their homes to Yangon. This follows artillery attacks by the Arakan Army (AA) on regime outposts at Padaleik and Amyintkyun villages, as well as a naval base near Shwemingan Port, in Sittwe on Feb. 7.
“The military fires without direction, so we’re always on edge,” said a Sittwe resident on the condition of anonymity. Padaleik and Amyintkyun villages are located approximately 10 miles (16 km) north of Sittwe. The military’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 232 and 344 are based in Padaleik, which is the first line of defence for its Regional Operations Command.
Access to Sittwe is now heavily restricted, with military checkpoints blocking entry and exit via both land and sea routes. The military has reportedly stationed troops in high-rise buildings, as well as schools and universities. “We’re worried about sending our children to school,” said the parent of a student in Sittwe.
Regime sends reinforcements to Sittwe
The regime in Naypyidaw dispatched two vessels from Yangon and two from the Danyawaddy Naval Base in Kyaukphyu Township to Sittwe on Sunday, according to residents and military sources. This follows the artillery shelling of the Shwemingan naval base, the Police Battalion 12, and LIB 232 and 344, by the AA on Feb. 7.
“[The military’s] main objective is to defend the city against a potential large-scale AA offensive. Since land routes to Sittwe are no longer viable, they are relying on naval reinforcements,” said a military source on the condition of anonymity. He added that the Burma Navy is now patrolling along the coast of Arakan in the Bay of Bengal with at least 10 vessels.
A Sittwe resident told DVB that the regime has been relocating military personnel, regime administrators, and their families to Yangon. The townships surrounding Sittwe are under AA control and there’s a stand-off between it and the military along the Sittwe-Ponnagyun Road. The AA expanded its offensive from Arakan to Ayeyarwady, Bago and Magway regions last month.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Residents of Hainggyikyun in Ngapudaw Township told DVB that the military has been clearing villages along the road to the regime’s Pammawady Naval Regional Command on Hainggyi Island in preparation for attacks by the AA since Saturday. Hainggyikyun is located 104 miles (167 km) south of the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein.
“There hasn’t been direct combat yet, but military vehicles and soldiers are coming and going. Large weapons are being set up,” said a Hainggyikyun resident on the condition of anonymity. The AA seized a military outpost at Kyargaung village on Feb. 3, Magyizin village on Jan. 10, and Bawmi village on Jan. 18.
CHINLAND—Residents of Mindat Township told DVB that they haven’t been allowed to return to their homes since Tuesday. They claim that the Mindat People’s Administration Team wants proof that residents have paid 500,000 MMK ($109 USD) to the Chin resistance. Mindat is located 272 miles (437 km) south of the Chinland capital Hakha.
“People want to return to the town but I saw many people at the entrance gate who were unable to [prove that they had paid],” said a Mindat on the condition of anonymity. The Chin Brotherhood seized control of Mindat on Dec. 22. The Mindat People’s Administration Team has imposed restrictions, including a curfew and a ban on gatherings of up to 10 people.
KARENNI—The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced on Tuesday that all visitors to Karenni are required to obtain a pass to allow safe passage. Resistance forces welcomed the move, claiming that it will allow the IEC to administer the region more effectively.
“There are many kinds of people traveling through the state, there may be journalists or researchers or businessmen or workers with many reasons,” Banyar Aung, the IEC secretary, told DVB. He added that the IEC also plans to issue residence cards for those in the Karenni resistance.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,510 MMK)
