Regime says ‘door open for peace’ with Brotherhood Alliance
Min Aung Hlaing called on the Arakan Army (AA) and other members of the Brotherhood Alliance, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), to give up armed resistance to his regime during a ceremony to mark the Golden Jubilee for Rakhine (Arakan) State Day on Sunday.
“They have prioritized standing alone rather than collectively building the union on a multiparty democratic path,” said Min Aung Hlaing at the 50th anniversary event in the Arakan State capital Sittwe. He went on to urge all ethnic armed groups to follow the path to dialogue set forth in the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA).
The MNDAA declared a unilateral ceasefire with the regime on Dec. 3. The TNLA said that it was ready for peace talks on Nov. 25. VOA reported on Saturday that AA officials were invited for talks in Tengchong, China on Dec. 1. It also reported that the MNDAA met with regime officials in Kunming, China on Sunday. TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo told DVB on Saturday that a discussion with the regime would need China’s assistance.
Karen National Union condemns attack in Thailand
The Karen Nation Union (KNU) released a statement on Saturday condemning the attack that killed at least three people and injured nearly 50 others at the annual Red Cross Doi Loyfa fair in Umphang, Tak Province of Thailand, on Friday. It expressed condolences to the family members of those killed and injured in the suspected grenade attack.
“We will cooperate with the Thai authorities in the process of uncovering the truth,” the KNU stated on Dec. 14. The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that the Thai police and military arrested two male suspects aged 16 and 17. One is reportedly a Thai national and the other a KNU member.
Thai media added that the KNU member – who had been arrested in February – admitted to Thai police that he was responsible for carrying the bag that contained the explosive and that the attack was targeting a rival gang. More than 8,000 people participated in the Red Cross Doi Loyfa fair Dec. 8-14 in Umphang district, which is in the southernmost part of Tak Province and is located along the Thai-Burma border.
Resistance diaries: An art exhibition by The Kite Tales
Journalists Thin Lei Win and Kelly Macnamara founded The Kite Tales in 2016 as a non-profit storytelling platform to chronicle the lives, culture and memories of people across Myanmar.
Following the 2021 military coup, The Kite Tales shifted to featuring the voices of people taking part in the anti-coup protests. One year later, it launched a fund to support a handful of journalists and illustrators, who either went underground or had fled their homes to avoid arrest.
“We hope that by sharing these personal stories, people will learn more about what’s happening in Myanmar beyond just the conflict,” said Thin Lei Win, the co-founder of The Kite Tales, at the Tales of Resistance exhibit hosted by Greenhouse in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Dec. 13.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—The regime administration ordered residents from Gwa Township, Arakan State, who were temporarily staying in Chaungtha and Shwethaungyanm towns, to return home by Dec. 22. Fighting between the AA and the military over control of Gwa has been ongoing since November.
“There are around 400 people including women and children. They won’t be allowed to stay in Ayeyarwady,” a source close to regime administration told DVB. The Gwa residents are living in makeshift shelters near the beach. Some of them have been accused by regime officials of being AA or People’s Defense Force (PDF) members.
CHINLAND—The Chin National Defence Force (CNDF) told residents of Chinland not to travel to Falam Township after it led an attack on the military’s remaining outpost, the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 268. Falam is 71 miles (114 km) north of the Chinland capital Hakha.
“This is just preventing potential problems including the security of our people,” Salai Timmy, the CNDF spokesperson, told DVB. Chin resistance forces have claimed that 90 percent of Falam was seized on Dec. 3. Fighting in the town has been ongoing since Nov. 8.
KARENNI—The Karenni Nationalities Defense Force (KNDF) stated on Sunday that it has sentenced two KNDF members to one year and three months in prison after its investigation concluded into the death of 18 female medics during a training exercise in western Demoso Township on Sept. 11.
A rector was sentenced to three months in prison for his role in the death of the 18 medics, who were swept away in a river during a training exercise. “We will honor our fallen comrades when the revolution is successful,” stated the KNDF. The medics training was initiated by the KNDF medical department.
MANDALAY—Mogok Township residents claimed that they have faced issues with accessing the internet and mobile networks since the TNLA shut down all telecoms after six civilians were killed by airstrikes on Nov. 11. Mogok is 129 miles (207 km) northeast of the city of Mandalay,
“Only people connected to the TNLA and the PDF have internet access,” a Mogok resident complained. A TNLA source told DVB that Starlink and mobile telecoms have been shut down temporarily over security concerns. Another resident said that a woman’s phone was confiscated after she called her family outside of the country. She was also allegedly fined 300,000 kyat ($67 USD) by the TNLA.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,450 kyat)
