Talks between regime and Brotherhood Alliance fail
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) told DVB that the China-brokered talks held with the regime broke down in Kunming, China on Monday. It stated that Naypyidaw demanded a withdrawal of MNDAA troops from Lashio, northern Shan State, which was seized on Aug. 3 after the fall of the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters. The MNDAA has taken control of seven other towns in northern Shan State since it launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.
“The military demanded withdrawal of our troops from Lashio and promised not to launch further offensives. We did not accept that,” a source from the MNDAA told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The MNDAA added that it continues with reconstruction efforts in Lashio, as the town has been hit by at least 15 airstrikes since September.
The talks on Dec. 15-16 came after a ceasefire brokered between the military and the Brotherhood Alliance on Jan. 11 broke down on June 25. Beijing called for dialogue between ethnic armed groups and the regime on Dec. 4. The MNDAA declared a unilateral ceasefire on Dec. 3. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) told DVB on Monday that its talks with the regime would depend on the MNDAA reaching an agreement.
Karen National Liberation Army recaptures Manerplaw
The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) – the armed wing of the Karen National Union (KNU) – announced that it had recaptured its former headquarters of Manerplaw, which is located in Hpa-An District along the Burma-Thailand border, from the military on Monday. The KNLA-led attack on regime forces stationed in Manerplaw began in December.
“Three of our comrades were killed during the fighting. We recovered 10 soldiers’ bodies, weapons, and ammunition, on Tuesday. The Burma Air Force conducted retaliatory airstrikes during and after the fighting,” a KNLA source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A KNLA battalion commander added that attacks will be launched on all military outposts in Karen State.
Fighting between the KNLA and the military’s Aung Zeya column, which was launched by the regime on April 12 to retake Myawaddy after it was seized for 12 days by KNLA-led forces, continues along the Kawkareik-Myawaddy stretch of the Asia Highway. The fall of Manerplaw to the military occurred on Jan. 27, 1995. It was the former headquarters of the KNU and the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF).
Myanmar to free four Thai fishermen in January
Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa is meeting with the regime in Naypyidaw today to seek a pardon for four Thai fishermen sentenced by a court in Kawthaung, Tanintharyi Region, to six years in prison and to pay a 200,000 kyat ($45 USD) fine.
The four Thais were detained by the Burma Navy, along with 27 Burma nationals, for “encroaching” into Burma’s territorial waters on Nov. 30. Thailand’s Minister of Defense Phumtham Wechayachai told Thai media that Bangkok was informed by Naypyidaw that the four Thais would be released in a regime amnesty to mark Burma’s Independence Day on Jan. 4.
“I think this benefits the country the most. More answers to the question could have impacts. I also do not want the issue to be politicised in the country. Let me take care of the safety of the Thai people first,” Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told the media. Bangkok said that one Thai fisherman died while attempting to evade arrest by the Burma Navy, which was denied by Naypyidaw on Dec. 2.
News by Region
YANGON–Rising ticket prices and reduced service on Dec. 12 for the 15 new Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU) trains has led to fewer passengers on trains along the Yangon Circular Railway line, according to Myanma Railway commuters at the Yangon Central Railway Station.
“Trains no longer complete the full circular route on a single trip, so people have switched to buses. Currently, trains only go as far as Insein [Railway Station],” said a commuter in Yangon. Fares were raised from 800-1,000 kyat ($0.38-0.47) for a full journey and 400-500 kyat ($0.14-0.23) for a half journey on Dec. 2. Read more.
KACHIN—A delegation led by Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) chairperson N’Ban La returned to Laiza this week after visiting Kunming, China, for talks on Dec. 8. The KIO reportedly discussed resuming border trade and reopening gates along the Burma-China border, which were shut down in October.
“Beijing wants a ceasefire [between the KIA and the military] before it resumes official border trade,” Naw Bu, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) spokesperson, told DVB. KIA-led forces are currently fighting against the military in Bhamo and Mansi townships, located 120 miles (193 km) from the Kachin State capital Myitkyina.
ARAKAN—A woman was injured and at least five homes were destroyed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on No. 5 ward of Thandwe town, which is located 239 miles (385 km) northwest of Yangon, on Tuesday. The Arakan Army (AA) seized control of Thandwe on Oct. 1.
“Two bombs landed onto the neighborhood but luckily no one died. There are no AA or clashes here, in our neighborhood,” a Thandwe resident told DVB. More than 100 civilians have been either injured or killed by airstrikes or artillery attacks from the military across Arakan with the most casualties occurring in Thandwe Township.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,460 kyat)
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