FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
UN Security Council discusses Burma behind closed doors
Burma’s permanent representative at the U.N. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun called on the Security Council to adopt a follow-up, enforceable, resolution to stop the violence – perpetrated by the military – outside of a closed Security Council meeting on Feb. 5.
“The military junta continues its atrocities against the people of Myanmar even after the adoption of Resolution 2669 in December 2022. The U.N. Security Council so far cannot do anything to enforce the military to adhere to the resolution,” he said.
Kyaw Moe Tun pleaded for international assistance to the nearly 19 million people in urgent need. He cited 44,000 people killed and 2.6 million displaced since the 2021 military coup. U.K. Ambassador to the U.N. Barbara Woodward said her country strongly condemns violence against civilians in Burma.
Thailand wants crossborder aid to lead to dialogue
Thailand’s Vice Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said that a Thai-backed initiative to deliver humanitarian assistance to Burma aims to create dialogue between the military and anti-regime forces, Reuters reported.
Sihasak said the plan could lead to talks between Naypyidaw, ethnic armed groups, and the National Unity Government (NUG). Chulalongkorn University professor Thitinan Pongsudhirak told DVB in an interview that the Thai government is shifting its stance on Burma compared to the previous administration.
“I think that they [Thai government] are shaping a qualitatively different approach to Myanmar. This is already manifesting in some of the additional space and we’re seeing [it] along the border with humanitarian assistance and some dialogue,” said Thitinan Pongsudhirak. Bangkok plans to establish a humanitarian safe zone later this month.
Two killed in Bangladesh by shells fired from Burma
A Rohingya man and a Bangladeshi woman were killed by a mortar shell fired from Burma in Tumbru, Bangladesh on Feb. 5, the Dhaka Tribune reported. Fighting between the Burma Army and Arakan Army (AA) is ongoing near the Burma-Bangladesh border.
“It’s their internal conflict. But we have protested that because of the conflicts mortal shells are falling into our border, killing our people. Their people are also taking shelter in our country,” said Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister.
His ministry summoned the regime’s Ambassador Aung Kyaw Moe. At least 229 members of the regime’s Border Guard Police and military personnel have fled into Bangladesh to escape attacks from the AA since Sunday. They are expected to be repatriated by the regime.
News by Region
KARENNI—Four children and three adults, including an elderly man, were killed, and another 23 were injured, in airstrikes and artillery attacks allegedly carried out by the military on two schools in Daw See Ei and Loi Nam Hpa villages of Demoso Township on Feb. 5. Read more here.
ARAKAN—Thirty-eight Rohingya were arrested in a village of Rathedaung Township on Feb. 1, regime media reported. They were intercepted while sailing from refugee camps in Bangladesh. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) stated that 569 Rohingya refugees died at sea while attempting to flee from Burma and Bangladesh in 2023.
The Brotherhood Alliance announced that the AA seized control of the No. 378 Light Infantry Battalion base in Mrauk-U on Feb. 5. It was reported that the AA has taken control of at least three battalion bases in Minbya Township as of Feb. 6.
SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced that it, the NUG, and the Ta’ang Political Consultative Committee (TPCC), visited the towns of Manton, Monglon, and Mong Ngaw from Feb. 1-4.
NUG Deputy Minister of Federal Union Affairs Mai Win Htoo, TNLA Vice Chair Tarr Jode Jarr, and General Secretary Tar Bone Kyaw, and TPCC general secretary Mai Naing Gaung Zar reportedly discussed a political road map.
CHINLAND—The Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA) stated that resistance forces control around 75 percent of Chinland and that nearly 900 clashes have occurred with the military since the 2021 coup. Resistance forces have seized control of seven towns and 36 military outposts. The AA has control of Paletwa in southern Chinland.
“The people’s administration is operating well in these controlled areas. The Burma Army still remains in towns, but they are unable to operate anything except some hospitals,” said Yaw Man, from the Mindat Township People’s Administration. The ICA claimed that more than 100,000 people have been displaced due to fighting.
