Feb 17, 2024

Methodology



Information in this document has been gathered by the BHRN team by primary and secondary research methods. We employed local researchers and local informers across Burma including in Rakhine State, Thai-Burma border and the Bangladesh border monitoring, investigating and documenting incidents of human rights violations. Any information we receive is carefully checked for credibility and authenticity by experienced senior research officers in the organisation. Once the information is approved the editorial team prepares the final document.

Short Video for Summary of Situation Update - January 2024

Key Highlights 

Background

·      The military operations in Northern Shan State, in which the junta has been facing debacles, have stalled for now due to intervention by the Chinese Government. In Rakhine, the Arakan Army (AA) made major gains in further setback for the Min Aung Hlaing regime.

·      "Operation 1027" in Northern Shan State which was launched by the China-backed Three Brotherhood Alliance last October has given a renewed impetus to the groups fighting the regime.

·      One of the members of the Brotherhood Alliance, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), which is also called as Kokang Army, gained full control of Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, following the mass surrender of the last junta forces and officials within the city on 5 January.

·      2,389 Tatmadaw soldiers, including 6 brigadiers, and 1,601 family members surrendered to MNDAA and were deported back to Lashio.

·      The other member of the alliance, Ta’ang National Liberation Army claimed to have taken control of the towns in Northern Shan State. They are reportedly at striking distance of the largest city in the Northern Sha State, Lashio.

·      The third member of the alliance is the Arakan Army (AA) which re-launched its separate military operations in Rakhine State in early November.

·      The Brotherhood Alliance claimed that it had also captured Namtu, Kutkai and Hsenwi, including the headquarters of the 16th Military Operations Command in Hsenwi in late December and early January.

·      With these advances by the pro-Chinese militias along the Chinese border, Beijing’s first objective of supporting Operation 1027, which is to push out the corrupt and volatile Myanmar military from the areas close to China, has been achieved.

·      After which China brokered a ceasefire between the two sides. The shaky ceasefire has been effective since 12 January.

·      Meanwhile, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), also a pro-China militia group, which so far has not taken a side in the military conflict had taken control of Hopang, the nominal capital of the Wa Self-Administered Division, with junta forces losing control of the east bank of the Salween River.

·      The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), along with the All-Burma Students' Democratic Front (ABSDF) and local People Defence Forces, seized the town of Mabein in Northern Shan State after a three-day siege. The town is 50 kilometres north of Momeik, which was also taken control of briefly by the combined forces of KIA and ABSDF.

·      During the first month of this year focus is the fighting in Rakhine State between the Arakan Army and the junta’s troops. The AA claimed that it had seized two townships from the junta, Palatwa in Chin State and Pauktaw in Rakhine State.

·      Currently, AA is attacking Ramree Island, an isolated island town that could help AA to strengthen its foothold on the Rakhine territory.

·      In Chin State, the anti-regime forces stopped making further progress in fighting, however, politically they moved in the direction of formation of a state government that would work together with other anti-regime forces to gain self-determination for Chin ethnic groups. The conflict in these areas, which is situated on the border with India triggers a flow of refugees to Manipur province of India.

·      Among the refugees are defeated Myanmar military soldiers. The response of the Indian government in New Delhi is to close down the border.

·      It is worth looking at a comparison of responses to Myanmar’s internal conflict by the country’s two giant neighbours, which can help to determine which one could be a longer-term partner for Myanmar in the time of crisis.

·      Myanmar can also take a lesson from events in the past, how these two countries acted when a weaker neighbour was in a crisis. For example, can draw lessons from Nepal in 2015, when India imposed a blockade on Nepal in response to an Indian concern about changes to the Nepali constitution, violent ethnic conflict, and Nepal's increasing cooperation with China.

 Analysis of the current conflict 

For the past, several decades the conflict in Myanmar has been a two-front war, in which the military regime vs the ethnic groups fighting for self-determination engaged mostly in guerilla warfare. This current conflict is more complex, and it has become a multi-front war for the junta. The issues they are fighting have widened.

Currently, we have these categories of regime's opponents which are challenging the military authorities through armed struggle.

1. The Ethnic Armed Organisations (EAOs)- These ethnically based groups have been fighting the regime since the early days of the country’s independence. Their call has been to grant equal rights and self-determination to the ethnic groups under one federal democratic system and federal army. Their view has never got support from the ethnic people they are fighting on behalf of, let alone the people from the entire country. They did not have support for failing to mount a serious challenge to the regime.

1. The National Unity Government (NUG) / People Defence Forces (PDF)- This is a new kind of armed resistance the regime is facing; they are not fighting for ethnic rights or territory control. Their aim is mainly to reinstate a pro-Burma pro-democratic government. This group is led by influential and educated youth and politicians. Also, it has the most effective outreach to the international community. Despite these strong points, NUG/PDF may not have support from the entire country because of their pro-Bama stance, which for many ethnic people in Myanmar an outdated mantra. 
2. The Talang Palaung/ Kokang Army (MNDAA)/ the United WA State Army (UWSA)- Although these groups are ethnically based, their vested interest is quite different from the other EAOs. They operate on China’s instruction. They do not think they have any similarities with the Bamar people, they can relate themselves more to Chinese. They are unlikely to participate in the future federal system discussion. Their position on the autonomous status of the ethnic group they represent would be very different from that of the traditional EAOs like the Kayin National Union or the Chin National Front (CNF). This group would be looking for a pro-business governance system under centralized control. 
3. The Arakan Army (AA)- This is the only group which openly said its goal could be to declare independence from Myanmar. This is the group which received the most wide-ranging support from the Rakhine ethnic people. Their relaying point is very simple, extreme hatred for the Burmese based on old historical rivalry. The Burmese army has been trying to use the Rakhine nationalism for its benefit for the past many years. The military tried successfully, to divert anti-Bamar sentiment among Rakhine people to target the Muslims in the state. Now, with AA claiming that it can defeat the regime forces in Rakhine State and establish an administration of its own, a big unanswered question is how a future AA administration would treat the persecuted Rohingya community.

In a recent interview with BBC, the leader of AA, Twan Mrat Naing, spelt out, AA’s policy on Rohingya. He said all the residents of Rakhine State should have equal rights including the right to citizenship, however, the people of Rakhine may need more time to accept Muslims with their ethnic name Rohingya. He said as Rohingya are claiming that their ancestry in Rakhine State dates back to the 10th century, it would not go down well with the Rakhine people who think that they are the earliest inhabitants in the state. But one positive point mentioned by Twan Mrat Naing was that any approach to the Rohingya issue will be a rights-based approach and through democratic norms. However, in a recent incident with regard to the mistreatment of Rohingya by AA, the rebel group launched their attack against the Burmese military from the Rohingya village, drawing fire from the Burmese military against civilians. As many as 40 homes were destroyed, several were injured, and there are reports of deaths of many Rohingya civilians. This incident took place on 26 January. 

While the junta faces defeats and debacles on the battlefield, however, it continues to maintain a status quo in terms of holding on to power. The junta boss seemed to have saved his job for now. A sham constitutional grouping the Defence and Security Council extended the mandate of the junta until August 2024. The sixth time to do so since the coup in 2021. 

In terms of leadership Min Aung Hlaing held on to power despite losing support among the Buddhist nationalist backers of the regime. 

However, currently, there are several reasons why his deputy Soe Win may think this is the right time for him to take control of the regime. 

It could be possible that Soe Win is thinking of the following aspects that could convince him that this is the right time for him to take over the helm of the leadership. 

o  Min Aung Hlaing’s support among the pro-Buddhist nationalists is waning. This will be further clear in the coming weeks after more news of military defeats and defections come along. The key support for Min Aung Hlaing is coming from Setagu Monk, who has not spoken after the recent military defeats suffered by the junta. 

o  Constitutional breach- Although the constitution of 2008 is all but dead, Soe Win can use it to further weaken Min Aung Hlaing’s support among the nationalists by pointing out that he is floundering the Charter. Soe Win may also draw support from the leaders of the previous military regime who crafted the constitution to safeguard their political interests and personal safety. 

o  Economic crisis and fuel shortage under Min Aung Hlaing’s watch. 

o  Abuse of power by Min Aung Hlaing’s family and the cronies close to the family. 

o  Soe Win may also think about instigating insubordination against Min Aung Hlaing by the junior rank military officers. 

However, the change of military leadership at this stage is not going to drastically change the political and military landscape in the country.

 Since all the groups opposed to the regime no longer look at the military regime as a stakeholder in finding a political solution to Myanmar’s problem. All are looking for a Tatmadaw-free political future for the country. 

External factors 

Both the military regime and its opponents seem to have given up hope on possible international intervention to resolve the crisis in Myanmar. The only country active in terms of Myanmar’s affairs is China, it seems to keep all the options open including forcing the junta to open talks with its political opponents. However, Beijing never trusted Min Aung Hlaing since 2009 when he led an operation against the pro-China Kokang Army, during which many Chinese nationals were targeted. 

But for geopolitical and economic interests China is pushing the Min Aung Hlaing regime to promote political reconciliation. 

On the other hand, India and its current government in New Delhi have adopted the most irresponsible approach in terms of dealing with the situation in Myanmar. 

Its approach is to grant support to the regime and the pro-democracy activists who fled to India due to the regime’s atrocities are not welcomed. 

Some of the exiled Myanmar politicians and ethnic leaders managed to take refugees to India with the support of the Government of Mizoram, not the Central Government. 

The hardline Indian Home minister recently said his country is to close the border with Myanmar.

Such acts give rise to the assumption that China has a more constructive and responsible approach in Myanmar than India. 

2 January- The military junta has arrested more than 600 Rohingya Muslims during 2023, an aid organisation helping the stateless people said. The source said the arrests were made in Ayeyarwady Region and among them, 504, including 200 children, are currently languishing in jails. The source said 10 Rohingya Muslims were killed after they were arrested by the authorities. The source said that the Rohingya victims include 100 women. He said the Rohingya Muslims were charged with immigration offences and children are held in a youth correction Centre in Twantay Township, near Yangon. The Rohingya Muslims who are facing the worst genocidal crime committed by the Myanmar junta in their home state of Rakhine tried to flee to Ayeyarwady Region frequently in their attempt to travel to Yangon. Ref: DVB

 18 January - Widespread internet outages were reported as the military shut off access throughout the state. Users with Mytel service were able to access phones and internet. Mytel is owned by the Burmese military and a company operated by the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense. Communications in Kyauktaw township have been completely shut down.

Source: BHRN

20 January - Maung Kyaw Thu, a 26-year-old Rohingya University Student, was killed by artillery in Khong Douk Village, Kyauktaw Township, when the Arakan Army launched an attack against Burma’s 9th Brigade, which was stationed beside the village.

Source: BHRN

20 January -  A group of armed robbers broke in and robbed a Rohingya household in Aung Mingla village at 12:30 PM. The robbers were chased off when villagers noticed them and began throwing stones at them. The military later arrived and said they would investigate the case but have not taken any known actions.

Source: BHRN

22 January - A Rohingya man was robbed by a group of Rakhine youths on his way to Bu May village near Security Battalion 36. The man was beaten and injured and his bicycle and telephone were taken.

Source: BHRN

23 January- Three Rohingya Muslim children were killed in a shelling by the junta troops on a village in Buthitaung Township in Rakhine State on 23 January, a local source said. He said the shells fired on Maung Nhama Taung (Rohingya) village fell on homes. He said the three children killed were brothers who lived in the same house. The source said 10 other civilians were injured in the attack. The junta has recently stepped up its operations in northern Rakhine State as the fighting resumed in the area between its troops and a rebel group the Arakan Army (AA). In some cases, AA is also accused of violating the basic rights of Rohingya people living in the conflict zone. Ref: ArakanExpress

24 January- The United Nations said more than 500 Rohingya Muslims, who tried to flee the atrocities in Rakhine State and inhuman conditions in the refugee camps in Bangladesh were killed and missing. A statement issued by the UN’s refugee agency UNHCR on 23 January said the Rohingya Muslims were killed while they travelled by sea from Bangladesh and Myanmar to other parts of the region to seek asylum. The UNHCR statement said the number of Rohingya deaths is the highest death toll recorded in a calendar year since 2014 when 730 Rohingya Muslims were killed. The statement said among the deaths last year 66 per cent were children and women. The UN has described Rohingya Muslims as the most persecuted minority group on earth. They face systematic killing in Rakhine State by the Myanmar military and thugs which operate along with the military junta. Many of them are forced to live as refugees in Bangladesh in inhuman conditions. These conditions compelled them to take a dangerous sea route to seek better living conditions. Ref: RFA

24 January- The junta arrested 117 Rohingya Muslims in a village in Thanbyuzayat Township in Mon State, a local source said. He said they were taken away by the junta troops from a rubber plantation in Wakhu village. A junta spokesperson, Dr Aung Myat Kyaw Sein, said the Rohingya Muslims were arrested for questioning. The source said the arrested Rohingya Muslims, which include 9 children and 50 women are held in an indoor stadium in Thanbyuzayat Township. Ref: RFA

24 January - Arakan Army declared control over Pauktaw Township.

27 January- At least 12 Rohingya Muslims were killed in a shelling by the junta troops on a village in Buthitaung Township in Rakhine State on 26 January. The news on the incident of the attack on Phone Nyo Leik village was shared with the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) by a Rohingya refugee in Bangladesh Ko Aung Myaing. In another incident on the same day, a 23-year-old Rohingya Muslim woman was killed, and 7 others were injured in a shelling by the junta troops on Kya Nyo Pyin village, which is also situated in Buthitaung Township. The incident was reported in a news release by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, of which the Arakan Army (AA) is a member. The news release said the junta’s no 203 Light Infantry Division no 203 was responsible for the attack. It said the junta launched an attack on the civilian targets without any active ongoing conflict in the area. Communication with Northern Rakhine State is cut off due to internet shutdown imposed by the junta.  Ref: RFA

28 January - The Arakan Army launched an attack on the Burmese military from the Rohingya village of Phon Nyo Leik, Buthidaung Township. The Burmese army attacked the Rohingya village resulting in several casualties. Several homes were set on fire and much of the village was destroyed.

Source: BHRN 

1 January - Monthly stipends for Rohingya refugees increased from $8 to 10$ per month. The stipend remains below the $12 level of vouchers before the cuts.

Source: BHRN

1 January - A fire broke out on 31 December in Camp-12, destroying 14 shelters and partially damaging nine others. Nine individuals sustained injuries during this incident.

Source: BHRN

4 January - Muhammad Faisal, a teacher at a community center, was taken from his classroom by a group of men and shot. He died of his injuries.

Source: BHRN

January 7 - Camp-5 in Kutupalong witnessed a significant arson attack, with 711 shelters fully damaged and 63 partially damaged across various blocks. Several critical facilities were also affected, including mosques, learning centers, health facilities, and wash facilities. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.

Source: BHRN

13 January - A gang of about six men stabbed, shot, and murdered 34-year-old Huzit Ullah in Camp 19.

Source: BHRN

26 January - Bangladesh authorities arrested three alleged ARSA members, accusing them of setting fires to the Rohingya camps. “Commander” Usman, Mohammad Nesar, and Imam Hossain are the names given of the arrested men.  Source: Irrawaddy

8 January- 17 civilians, including 6 children, were killed in an airstrike in a village in Tamu Township Sagaing Region on 7 January, a local source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). He said the airstrike by the junta on troops in Kanansan village situated on the border with India hit a church and civilian homes in the village. The village where the majority of Chin people live has been under the control of the People's Defence Force (PDF) since last November. BHRN

22 January- An elderly monk has died due to interrogation by the junta forces, a local news source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). It said 69-year-old U War Yar Ma from Maddaya Township in Mandalay Region died on 18 January due to injuries sustained when he was interrogated by the junta about two months ago. The senior monk was arrested on 12 November along with his assistant monk U Khay Mar from their monastery. The reason for their arrest is still unknown. His captor threw away severely injured U War Yar Ma near his monastery two days after the arrest. The monk got injuries on his throat believed to be sustained during his interrogation. The fate of the assistant monk U Khe Mar is still not known. BHRN

25 January- A civil society group documenting the rights abuse being committed by the junta troops in Chin State said at least 10 churches in the state were attacked from March to August last year. The Myanmar Witness said in a report issued on 22 January that among the churches targeted, seven were by the junta during its raids on the civilian targets in Chin State. It said among the churches destroyed in the air strike include the churches in Thantlang, Phalan, and Ha Kha townships. Meanwhile, the Chin Human Rights Organisation (CHRO) said the junta has targeted at least 107 religious buildings in the state since it came to power in a military coup three years ago. They include 67 churches and 5 monasteries. Ref: RFA

27 January- A monastery was destroyed in an airstrike by the junta troops in Hsi Hseng Township in Southern Shan State, a local source told Khit Thit Media news agency. The media report said the Kaung Mhu Bwa monastery was deliberately targeted by the junta troops. A spokesperson of an ethnic armed organisation based in the area; the Palaung National Liberation Army (PNLA) said the act targeting a religious side was unacceptable. The incident triggered fear among the residents of Hopoang Township which is geographically close to Hsi Hseng. The report in Khit Thit Media said some residents of Hopoang have started to move out of their homes. Ref: Khit Thit Media

28 January- A monastery was destroyed in a shelling by the junta troops in Thaton Township in Mon State, a rebel group based in the area, the Kayin National Union (KNU) said in a media release issued on 28 January. The statement said the junta troops fired four shells on a village where the majority of Danu ethnic people live, the KNU statement said. It said the regime forces fired at least 49 heavy weapon shells into some villages in Thaton Township, during the past three days. Ref: Arakan Express

14 January- The junta troops reportedly rapped and killed two men in Mrauk U Township in Rakhine State, a local source said. The source who declined to be named said the bodies of two men were found with their underpants loosened and blood in their anus area. The duo were arrested in Mrauk U Township along with one civilian by the light infantry no. 540 on 9 January, the source said. He said they were arrested to use as human shields. The junta forces are facing an attack in the area by a rebel group the Arakan Army (AA). Ref: Narinjara

25 January- The junta troops sexually abused and killed a woman advocate in a village in Depayin Township in the conflict-affected Sagaing Region on 18 January, a statement released by All Burma Public Lawyers Union League said. It said the junta troops first gang rapped the victim a Supreme Court Lawyer Daw Khin Hnin Htay (a.k.a) Ma Angel from Mae Oh village after which she was killed and her body burned down, the statement said. The statement said the incident took place as the junta’s “Monster” regiment raided Mah Oh village during which they abducted 15 civilians, the statement said. It said the hands and legs of the 4 abductees were chopped off by the junta soldiers. It added that the rule of law no longer existed in Myanmar during the reign of the current military junta. BHRN 

31 January- The junta troops along with its affiliate militant group Pyu Saw Htee sexually assaulted and killed four women in a village in Myin Chan Township in Mandalay Region on 29 January, a local source said. He said the bodies of four victims aged ranging from 25 to 60 were thrown away on the street, the source said adding that signs of rape were found on the bodies of two younger women. He said the reason for the brutal killing of the four women, who were engaged in small businesses, was unknown, the source said. Ref: RFA

1 January- The members of the junta-appointed civilian administration and its affiliate military group Pyu Saw Htee arrested more than 10 civilian youths in Myeik Township in Tanintharyi Region on the New Year night, a local source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). The source said the arrests were made to extort money. One arrested youth told BHRN that each had to pay Kyat 200 000 to secure their release. He said this incident is a testament to excessive abuse of power by the junta’s affiliates. BHRN

2 January- The junta arrested 7 civilians in Dagon Seikkan Township on the outskirts of Yangon, a media report said. A local source told Yangon Khitthit Media that the civilians were arrested from an apartment block. It said the junta’s troops along with the members of the pro-junta militant group Pyu Saw Htee were involved in the arrest. They fired shots in the air while the civilians were being arrested. Ref: Khit Thit Media

5 January- More than 70 civilians were arrested in the capital of Rakhine State, Sitttwe on 4 January, an eyewitness said. He said the victims had to pay between Kyat 300 000 to 700 000 as bribes to secure their release. He said many of the victims were still under arrest. The arrests were made at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city on the day mark anniversary of Myanmar’s Independence.  Ref: Nainjara

8 January- The junta arrested 3 Rohingya Muslims in Buthitaung Township; a local source told Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). He said the reason for the arrest was unknown. He said in the past, several Rohingya Muslims were arrested on accusations of having links with a rebel group Arakan Army (AA). It was reported that the junta arrested more than 300 civilians since the fighting between the junta troops and AA last November. BHRN 

9 January- The junta arrested at least 15 civilians in a village in Buttalin Township in Sagaing Region on 9 January, a local source said. He said 10 men and 4 women were among those arrested. They are the members of the people's defence force, he said, adding that they are currently held at Buttalin Police Station. BHRN 

22 January- The junta tried to arrest a village administrator in Bago Region for failing to comply with its order to collect recruits for the Myanmar military. Ko Naing Oo, the administrator of Ye Ngan village in Bago Region’s Lapatan Township fled the village after he failed to complete the tasks of recruitment. A local source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) that Ko Naing Oo tried to organize a meeting of the local people to encourage them to join the military, however, no one showed up at the meeting. He added that Ko Naing Oo managed to flee before the officials arrived in the village to arrest him. BHRN

25 January- The junta troops arrested at least 50 civilians in Waw Township in Bago Region during a raid on several villages in the township, a local source and a member of a local people defence force said. A spokesperson of the PDF Waw Township said the civilians were arrested with the suspension of having links with the PDF, which has been fighting the regime since the military coup three years ago.  Ref: Mizzima

4 January- The junta released more than 9000 prisoners from the jails across the country on 4 January marking the 76th anniversary of Independence Day. However, the list of prisoners released in the amnesty seen by the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN) shows only a few political prisoners were released in the amnesty. The junta released 9652 Myanmar nationals and 114 foreigners in the amnesty. The prisoners released from Hinthada in the Ayeyarwady Region and Myinchan in the Mandalay Region did not include political prisoners. The human rights groups say the junta arrested more than 25,000 political prisoners since it came to power in a military coup in 2021. They said nearly 20,000 are still under detention. They include nearly 8500 prisoners who are sentenced to prison.  BHRN

24 January- A 22-year-old female political prisoner held in Magwe Prison has died in the prison after she was denied the right to take treatment for her health conditions, a source close to the victim told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). Ma Su May Aung, a third-year University student was arrested in 2022 and sentenced to 15 years in jail on a terrorism charge. Ma Su May Aung was suffering from liver and lung diseases. The source said she was not allowed to take medical treatment and her colleagues who were supporting her in the jail were sent to a different jail. BHRN  

3 January- The military junta killed more than 450 civilians in Kayah State since the military coup there years ago, a local group Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) said. It said an additional 150 displaced civilians in the state were killed. A statement released by the Information Centre of PKPF said the junta destroyed 2281 homes, 46 religious buildings as well as 14 hospitals and dispensaries and 22 schools were also destroyed in the attack. BHRN  

3 January- A pro-junta militant group, Pyu Saw Htee, shot dead a civilian in a village in Minkin Township in Sagaing Region on 2 January, a local source said. He said the man was shot while he was travelling on a motorbike together with his wife on a highway when he was attacked. The wife of the victim managed to escape the attack. Ref: Mizzima

7 January- The bodies of 19 civilians arrested by the junta in the conflict-affected Wuntho Township in Sagaing Region were found in a mass grave on 7 January, a local resistance group Kawlin Revolution- KR, told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). The group said the bodies of 17 men and two women were found about 5 miles from Wuntho Township. The statement by KR said the gunshot wounds on the chest and head of the victim’s bodies were found. It said the used 5.5 mm bullets with the mark of the junta-owned military equipment factory were found near the bodies. BHRN

13 January- The junta troops killed 4 civilians including a heavily pregnant woman in Khin U Township in conflict-affected Sagaing Reion on 12 January, a local source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). He said the 34-year-old Ma Yin Thet from Kyuntaw Gyi village in Khin U Township was 7 months pregnant when she was shot and killed. The source said the junta troops set on fire 10 houses in the village. BHRN

15 January- A political prisoner, who is serving a life sentence, has died due to poor health condition, a member of the victim’s family told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). Ko Yasin, 40, died in Yangon General Hospital due to his heart condition. His health has been poor since last November, but he was not allowed to take an adequate medical treatment which led to Ko Yasin’s death, the family member said. Yasin was arrested on the allegation of having links with the anti-junta militia group the People Defence Force (PDF) and he faced charges under the counter-terrorism law. BHRN 

21 January- The junta troops shot and killed a village administrator in Min Hla Township in Bago Region on 21 January, for failing to comply with a junta’s order to find recruits for the Myanmar military, a local source told the Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN). U Than Tun who was the administrator of Htin Ma Gone village was shot and killed while his counterpart from Pyin Ma Gone was injured in the incident. A local source said they were punished after they failed to organise the public meetings for conscription. BHRN

27 January- The junta troops slaughtered two women in Myin Bya Township in Rakhine State in two separate incidents during a week. A local source said the two women were killed by cutting their throats, but he said the reason for the brutal murder was unknown. He said the members of the local community suspect the Myanmar Navy of committing the killing. The spokesperson of a rebel group operating in Rakhine State confirmed the two brutal killings. The spokesperson of the Arakan Army (AA) Khaing Thu Kha told Narinjara news agency that the navy soldiers based in the junta’s Kyar Ye Pyin naval camp were responsible for the killings. Ref: Narinjara

27 January- The junta troops shot dead five youths in a village in Myin Chan Township in Mandalay Region on 27 January, an eyewitness of the incident told the Mizzima News Agency. The source said the faces of the five victims were covered by cloth when they were taken out from a vehicle to face the junta's firing squad, the source told Mizzima. The reason for the killing was not known. The eyewitness said the five victims were from Taungtha and Myin Chan townships. The source said the junta troops have not informed the families of the victims to claim their bodies.  Ref: Mizzima

7 January- The junta is forcing civilians in Nattalin Township in Bago Region to join the military service, a local source told Yangon Khitthit Media. The report said the junta-appointed local administrators are forcing civilians in 88 villages in Nattalin Township to join a lottery to select the conscript. The households that were selected through the lottery asked one family member to join the training after that they would be deployed on the battlefield. The junta is facing attacks in the Eastern parts of the Bago Region by a rebel group the Kayin National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People Defence Force (PDF). Currently, fighting is raging in Phyu Township, closest to the country’s administrative capital Nay Pyi Taw and the commercial capital Yangon. Ref: Khit Thit Media

25 January- The junta is forcing even women to join the Myanmar military as new conscripts, a local source in Taungoo in Bago Region said. He said the residents of Taungoo received threats from the local authorities that at least one person from each household aged between 18 to 60 must join the military as a conscript, the source said. He said the order also said if no man is available in the family female must join. The decision to make which household has to join the military was made through a lottery system conducted by the junta-appointed local administration officials and the members of the junta-affiliated Pyu Saw Htee militant group, the source said. He said they also set a rule saying that those families who refused to join must pay bribes ranging from Kyat 150 000 to Kyat 500 000. The source said the junta had given orders to shoot those who tried to flee to avoid the conscription. He added that the junta is putting pressure on the residents of Taungoo not to leak the news to other places. Ref: Mizzima

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