Rohingya taken by military from Yangon’s Insein Prison
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) stated on Sunday that the military took 910 Rohingya, who were scheduled to be released from Yangon’s Insein Prison, out of their prison cells and away in vehicles on Saturday. It added that the Rohingya prisoners were recently transferred to Insein Prison from Ayeyarwady Region.
“We are very suspicious about this event. As far as we know, we have not heard any information from groups that support Rohingya issues about this release,” Thaik Tun Oo, the PPNM spokesperson, told DVB. The 910 Rohingya, including women and children, were taken to an unknown location outside of the prison, he added.
PPNM claims that the Rohingya will be sent to Sittwe, the Arakan State capital, where fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military began last month. Over 910 Rohingyas were arrested by regime authorities traveling from northern Arakan, through Ayeyarwady Region, hoping to reach Thailand or Malaysia, according to PPNM.
Ta’ang National Liberation Army meets regime for talks in China
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced that nine of its representatives arrived in Yunnan Province on Saturday for China-brokered peace talks with the regime. The TNLA Vice Chair Tar Jok Jar and the head of the Foreign Affairs Department Tar Moe Hein were in China on Sunday. The regime chief of the Bureau of Special Operations No. 1 Ko Ko Oo represented Naypyidaw.
The TNLA claimed that the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 406, two other battalions, and the Burma Air Force fired nearly 200 rounds of artillery and bombed four villages in Nawnghkio Township in northern Shan State, on Feb. 15 – one day before the talks began. The TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo told Shwe Phee Myay News Agency that it is focused on solutions to the conflict with the military.
On Jan. 11, the 62nd Ta’ang Revolution Day, the TNLA stated that it would fight the military alongside other resistance forces. It has taken control of 11 townships in northern Shan, and Mogok Township in Mandalay Region, since the Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), launched Operation 1027 in 2023. The MNDAA signed a ceasefire agreement with the regime on Jan. 18.
Argentina includes Aung San Suu Kyi and Htin Kyaw in arrest warrants
Jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and former President Htin Kyaw, along with a village leader, were included in the 25 arrest warrants issued by a court in Argentina for military and state officials in a case for genocide against the Rohingya under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction brought by the Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK).
“The Argentinean Prosecutor had independently decided to include civilians, such as Aung San Suu Kyi,” stated BROUK in its press release on Feb. 14. “In response we made a formal request to the court to ask them to consider the current political context in Burma and whether issuing arrest warrants for Aung San Suu Kyi and Htin Kyaw serves the best interests of justice at this time.”
The case is based on a petition filed in 2019 by BROUK President Tun Khin. It examines the role of the military in genocide and crimes against humanity in northern Arakan State. In 2023, BROUK requested international arrest warrants against military officials only. It added that it did not present any evidence regarding Aung San Suu Kyi and Htin Kyaw.
News by Region
KACHIN—Residents from villages under the control of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Bhamo and Hpakant townships told DVB that two civilians were killed and three were injured by air- and drone strikes on Saturday. Hpakant and Bhamo are located 94-120 miles (151-193 km) west and south of the capital Myitkyina.
“Saitaung, one of the villages attacked by the Burma Air Force, was seized by the KIA in October last year and has not had any fighting since then. But they resumed drone attacks on residential areas [last week],” a Hpakant resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The KIA launched an offensive against the military in Bhamo on Dec. 4.
SAGAING—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Shwebo Township told DVB that a Catholic priest named Donald Martin, also known as Ye Naing Win, was killed in Kandaw village on Friday. Shwebo is located 57 miles (91 km) northeast of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. It added that the body was transported to Pyin Oo Lwin Township.
“Nine resistance members confessed to killing him. They have been arrested by the Shwebo District Battalion 5,” a PDF member told DVB. Another PDF member in neighbouring Ye-U Township, located 26 miles (41 km) west of Shwebo, condemned the murder, calling it an “inhumane act” and demanded justice for the murdered priest in Shwebo.
SHAN—Hsihseng Township residents told DVB that the pro-military Pa-O National Army (PNA) has instructed new recruits to bring their own weapons, uniforms, and military gear to training. Hsihseng is located 31 miles (50 km) south of the Shan State capital Taunggyi and 38 miles (61 km) north of the Karenni State capital Loikaw.
“The new recruits will be posted to the border starting from Saturday,” a Hsihseng Township resident told DVB. In Saungnge village, residents were ordered to pay one million MMK ($227 USD) per household if unable to provide new recruits to the PNA. Fighting between it and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) continues in Hsihseng.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,510 MMK)
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