NUG backs one China policy

 

The foreign affairs ministry of the National Unity Government (NUG) said on 01 January that they are going to support one China policy and respect the agreements on the border declaration between two countries before military takeover. Moreover, they will protect and ensure the safety of the China investments projects and other socioeconomic projects.

 

The NUG will also take actions upon online betting, human trafficking, drugs and crimes beyond borders in collaboration with China and other countries in the region.

 

Since the military takeover, China has not openly supported the NUG but they used to take a mediator role in armed conflicts near the China border.

 

Military aircraft crash in Kachin

 

A Mi-17 military jet that was assumed to transport rations to a military outpost near Laiza in Kachin State crashed on 03 January.

 

The KIA told local news media outlets that the actual reason behind the crash could not be confirmed yet. It was the second time a military jet crashed while conducting military operation.

 

On 11 November 2023, a K-8 jet fighter was shot in Karenni State and a pilot was found nine days after the aircraft crash.

 

Some news reports said six people aboard the ill-fated Mi-17 jet fighter was killed and one was found alive but KIA could not verify the news reports independently.

 

India sent deserters back to Myanmar

 

During the clashes between Arakan Army (AA) and junta troops in Paletwa, Chin State, around 151 military soldiers escaped to India, Mizoram.

 

The deserters were soldiers who escaped from an attack on a military outpost on 27 December near India-Myanmar border.

 

In November, over 40 soldiers fled to India during the Rihkhawdar battle, mostly soldiers and their family members fled the fighting in Khampat battle and they had been sent back to Myanmar, according to the Indian government.

 

Chairperson of SSKDP dies

 

The chairperson of Shan State Kokant Democratic Party, Antony Su died in Laukkai on 01 January. He was 88-years-old.

 

The military Union Election Commission dissolved SSKDP on 20th November 2023 because the party failed to recruit 1000 members after 90 days of registration.

 

Antony Su refused the invitation of 2004 Nyaung Hna Pin conference along with Shan National Democratic League(SNLD) and National Democratic Party(NLD)  under U Than Shwe regime.

 

Amnesty with a few political prisoners

 

The Myanmar junta released 9,652 local prisoners and 114 foreigner prisoners on 04 January to mark the country’s 76th Independence Day from the British colonial rule. The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said most of those granted amnesty were near to serve out their prison terms and only a few political prisoners were among those granted amnesty.

 

The Eat My Heart association  said 200 political prisoners from Insein, 140 from Obo and 31 prisoners from prison and custody in Mon state were among those granted amnesty.

 

However, political prisoners from Kale, Yamethin, Myingyan, Thayet, Daik-U, Paungde, Hinthada, Maubin and Mawlamyine prisons were not released.

 

Among the released inmates were news reporter Ko Kaung Set Lin from Myanmar Pressphoto Agency, the former Mandalay mayor Dr.Ye Lwin, the former committee member of Chanayethazan Mandalay City Development Committee U Kyaw Zay Ya, the social affairs minister of Ayeyarwaddy district, Dr. Hla Myat Thway and two poets.

 

Junta troops in Laukkai surrender to MNDAA fighters

 

The regional administration of military forces in Laukkai town in the northern Shan state surrendered to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army( MNDAA) on the evening of 04 January.

 

The Myanmar Now agency cited a resident that who claimed they surrendered after reaching an agreement to send the junta troops and their family members to Lashio town.

 

12 November 2023, the light infantry battalion 129 surrendered to MNDAA including the battalion commander and 127 members total of 262 including the family members.

 

After the launch of 1027 operation, the MNDAA has seized Chinshwehaw, Pang Hseng, Monekoe and Kunlung. With the surrender of the military headquarters in Laukkai, it can be said that almost all the Kokant Region is under the control of MNDAA.

 

Burma Associated Press