EURO-BURMA OFFICE ADDB Inc – Canada, Euro-Burma Office – Belgium, EBO Foundation – Chiang Mai
ALL NEWS
Junta’s New Year Airstrikes Kill at Least 20 Throughout Myanmar
Source: Irrawaddy
The junta launched airstrikes and a drone attack in at least five regions and states of Myanmar on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, killing at least 20 people and destroying civilian homes and religious buildings, according to residents.
By Hein Htoo Zan | Irrawaddy
Malaysia doubles patrols to find Myanmar migrant boats after nearly 200 detained
Source: Reuters
Malaysia’s coastguard said on Friday it was doubling patrols in its waters to locate boats carrying undocumented Myanmar migrants, after almost 200 were detained on an island in the northwestern Malaysian state of Kedah.
By Reuters
‘It was all lies’: Myanmar’s military widows denied pensions and payouts
Source: Frontier Myanmar
There is growing evidence that the cash-strapped junta is refusing to pay the pensions and compensation that soldiers’ families are entitled to when their husbands or sons die on duty.
By Frontier
Rakhine Rebels Attack Myanmar Junta Checkpoint on Bago Border
Source: Irrawaddy
The ethnic Arakan Army (AA) on Wednesday attacked a junta base on the border of Rakhine State and Bago Region that is crucial for the defense of an arms production hub.
By Irrawaddy
Junta Fortress in Sagaing Falls After Yearlong Siege
Source: Irrawaddy
The regime had heavily fortified the rural police station in Kutaw village with bunkers and trenches, but People’s Defense Force (PDF) groups managed to cut off supply routes and finally forced junta troops to abandon it.
Irrawaddy
Thailand a battery or conduit for the world’s largest drug source, the Wa State, says People’s Party MP
Source: Thai Examiner
MP Rangsiman Rome blasts the government for inaction as Thailand becomes a key transit hub for Wa State drug operations and faces encroachment by UWSA troops in Mae Hong Son
By Joseph O’ Connor
China-backed election raises fears of ‘negative peace’ in Myanmar
Source: Voice of America
Analysts say an election without real dialogue will yield a fragile ceasefire.
By Nyein Chan Aye
Myanmar enacts cybersecurity law that aims to restrict use of VPNs
Source: Radio Free Asia
The law also states that Myanmar citizens abroad are liable to punishment.
By RFA Burmese
AA Says Halt to Rakhine Fighting Is Up to Myanmar Junta
Source: Irrawaddy
Whether the Arakan Army (AA) will halt a devastating offensive it is blazing through Rakhine State depends on the military regime, AA spokesman Khaing Thukha has told The Irrawaddy.
By Irrawaddy
Mon State federal council lauds Arakan army’s success, urges united efforts against military junta
Source: Mizzima
Speaking to Mizzima regarding a formal message sent to the AA on 25 December, MSFC spokesperson Nai Mon Sai highlighted the AA’s significant role in the liberation struggle.
By Mizzima
Dhaka discusses with UN modalities for int’l conference on Rohingya crisis
Source: United News of Bangladesh
Bangladesh has discussed the modalities and objectives of the upcoming International Conference on the Rohingya Crisis, to be convened by the UN in 2025 as per a UN General Assembly consensus resolution adopted this year.
United News of Bangladesh
Initial results of imprecise census in Myanmar show a slight population drop
Source: Associated Press
The acknowledgment of problems in carrying out the census amounted to an admission by the military government that it fails to hold control over more than half of the country’s territory
Associated Press
Muslims flee as fighting verges on Arakan State capital
Source: Development Media Group
Some Muslims with identity cards are flying to mainland Myanmar, while those without ID cards are fleeing to AA-controlled territory, also known as “liberated” areas, by any means necessary.
Development Media Group
Myanmar Junta Troops Retreat from Mellyu Base; Karenni Army Seizes Large Cache of Weapons, Vehicles, and Motorbikes
Source: Kantarawaddy Times
In Karenni State’s Shadaw Township (Thai-Karenni border), troops of the Myanmar military’s Battalion 134 retreated from the Mellyu base on December 28.
Kantarawaddy Times
Karen National Union chairman calls for unity to achieve the goals of Karen nationalism
Source: Mizzima
Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), urged all Karen revolutionary groups and organizations to unite under a single political and national leadership during his Karen National New Year address on 30 December.
Mizzima
Task force on Myanmar’s first meeting scheduled
Source: Thai PBS World
The inaugural meeting of the special task force to address the situation arising from Myanmar’s conflict has been scheduled for January 13, following months of delay, an informed government source said.
Thai PBS World
After 2024 setbacks, junta forces now control less than half of Myanmar
Source: Radio Free Asia
Local residents and insurgent forces said territory under junta control has declined in central Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions, where fierce fighting between the military and anti-junta forces has been constant since coup.
Kyaw Lwin Oo for RFA Burmese
Always ready to resolve conflicts via political means, AA says
Source: Development Media Group
The Arakkha Army (AA) said in a statement on December 29 that it is always ready to resolve conflict through political rather than military means, on the same day that the ethnic armed group claimed to have won control of its 14th township in Arakan State, out of 17 total in the state.
Development Media Group
Thai banks face new mandates to curb financing of juntas
Source: The Nation
Bank of Thailand and AMLO have ordered banks to enforce stricter regulations to prevent Myanmar’s junta from using Thai financial services to procure arms
The Nation
Myanmar’s Arakan Army takes a major town, says ready for talks
Source: Radio Free Asia
Myanmar’s Arakan Army insurgents captured the west coast town of Gwa from the military, a major step toward their goal of taking the whole of Rakhine state, and then said they were ready for talks with the junta.
RFA Burmeses
Myanmar approves 60 investment projects for 2024
Source: Xinhua
Myanmar’s Yangon Region Investment Committee has approved 60 investment projects for 2024, which will create 29,290 job opportunities, the state-run daily Myanma Alinn reported on Sunday.
Xinhua
For the Rohingya, tormentors change but not the torment
Source: The Japan Times
No matter who is in control in Myanmar, it seems, it is the Rohingya who suffer. “Everyone hates us, but I don’t know why,” said Manwara, 19. “It’s our curse.
Hannah BEECH | The New York Times
Myanmar Names And Launches New FF-135 Frigate And Commissions Two New Corvettes
Source: Naval News
The Myanmar Navy held two ceremonies for the christening and the launching of the new FF-135 frigate named ‘UMS King Thalun’, and also for the commissionning of two new ASW corvettes in presence of senior Navy officials on December 25th. 2024.
Martin Manaranche
Ex-minister who witnessed ‘horrible’ Myanmar military violence joins calls for Aung San Suu Kyi’s release
Source: The Independent
A former minister whose family left Myanmar for Britain has added his voice to growing calls for freedom for Aung San Suu Kyi, currently imprisoned by the brutal dictatorship there.
Kate Devlin | John Johnston
Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan: Myanmar Humanitarian Programme Cycle 2025 – Protection Cluster at a Glance
Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
People in need and people targeted for humantarian assistance by sex, age and disability:
Publication / Infographic | OCHA