FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Nearly 300 civilians killed in fighting since late October
The U.N. states that 283 civilians have been killed and 334 others have been injured nationwide since the Brotherhood Alliance launched its offensive on Oct. 27. It adds that over 500,000 have become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sagaing Region, Shan, Karenni, Arakan and Chin States. The number of IDPs in Burma now exceeds two million.
DVB data states that 200 military outposts and 18 towns have been seized by resistance forces across Burma. The Brotherhood’s Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA) control four checkpoints along the China border.
It has seized seven towns in northern Shan State. Three towns in Sagaing Region, seven in Chin State, and one in Karenni State, have been seized by the People’s Defense Force (PDF), Chin and Karenni forces. Around 335 pro-military forces, including soldiers and police, have either surrendered or defected.
UN calls to save Rohingya adrift at sea
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported that it had received reports of two overcrowded boats carrying some 400 Rohingya adrift in the Andaman Sea on Dec. 2. It is calling on all nations in the region to deploy search and rescue capabilities. A boat carrying 150 Rohingya arrived in Aceh on Dec. 2.
The U.N. praised Indonesia for its “exemplary display of solidarity and humanity” for allowing over 1,000 Rohingya to disembark from boats arriving on its shores since Nov. 14. It added that over 570 people have died or disappeared in crossing the Andaman Sea since 2022.
Civil society wants regime dropped from forum
At least 388 civil society organizations (CSOs) issued a joint letter calling on South Korea and the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC) to drop the military regime from its invitees to the 2023 Busan Global Partnership Forum in Seoul Dec. 5-6.
“The Myanmar military junta is not a government by any definition, so its members have no legitimacy to represent the people of Myanmar in international forums,” said Naw Aung, the campaign’s spokesperson.
The CSOs called on South Korea to invite the National Unity Government (NUGO) to Seoul instead. The Busan Global Partnership Forum is hosted by South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discusses sustainable development in various countries.
News by Region
SAGAING—The NUG stated that its Interim Central Bank is overseeing the “systematic preservation” of 4.5 million Myanmar kyat from private banks in Kawlin. It added that the money will be allocated as “a union treasury fund” for the public in accordance with the bank’s regulations.
Eleven civilians were allegedly killed and had their bodies burned by soldiers in Kyarpaing village, Monywa Township on Dec. 2, the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency reported. Around 50 soldiers and militia members raided the village and burned down over 100 homes.
“The bodies were discovered inside a home. I assumed they killed the people, locked the building and burned it down. We were unable to identify the bodies as it was only bones and ash,” said a resident. Some homes had been looted before the arson.
SHAN—Two people were injured when a vehicle owned by a charity group came under attack while providing assistance to IDPs in Muse on Nov. 30. ‘The team members remained unharmed. However, the vehicle’s engine was damaged, and we had to abandon it,” said a charity group member.
A mother and a child were killed and six others were injured by an airstrike in Muse on Nov. 29. Fighting between the Brotherhood Alliance and Burma Army began Oct. 27. The IDPs are in need of food, shelter, and water.
YANGON—Than Tun, the chairperson of the New National Democratic Party (NNDP), was killed in Thingangyun Township on Dec. 1. Witnesses stated that he was shot six times at close range by two assailants.
Than Tun became the NNDP chairperson in 2021 when his predecessor, Thein Nyunt, joined the regime. The NNDP is a pro-military party. Than Tun has expressed his support for the regime. No group has claimed responsibility for his murder.
(Unofficial rate: $1 USD = 3,375 kyat, Official rate: $1 USD = 2,100 kyat)
