Drones destroy monasteries and school in Rakhine State
Two Buddhist monasteries and a school in Kyaukphyu Township, Arakan State, were destroyed by “suicide” drones launched by regime forces on Saturday, residents told DVB. No casualties were reported. Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, is contested between the Arakan Army (AA) and regime forces.
“We’re living in fear,” a Kyaukphyu resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A “suicide” drone is a type of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that detonates upon impact. The AA reported that eight civilians were killed by airstrikes on Kyaukphyu’s Ngalonesu village on Dec. 11. At least 33 civilians were killed by airstrikes on a hospital in Mrauk-U Township on Dec. 10.
Mrauk-U is 88-230 miles (141-370 km) north of Sittwe and Kyaukphyu. The AA claims that 192 civilians have been killed in 92 regime airstrikes on 12 townships in Arakan, and one in neighbouring Chinland. All 13 towns have been seized by the AA since it launched an offensive against regime forces on Nov. 13, 2023. DVB has documented that 1,743 civilians have been killed by regime aerial attacks nationwide since March 28.
National Unity Government criticized for closing ministries
Pro-democracy and civil society organizations from Burma criticized the National Unity Government (NUG), a group representing elected lawmakers ousted during the military coup on Feb. 1, 2o21, for closing the Ministry of Women, Youth and Children Affairs during its cabinet reshuffle on Dec. 8.
“It’s very sad news for young people involved in the resistance [to the 2021 coup],” Thinzar Shunlei Yi, an executive member of the Sisters2Sisters campaign, told DVB. She added that there must be a leader who is willing to speak out for women, children, and young people in Burma. Sisters2Sisters raises awareness about sexual violence perpetrated by the military against women and LGBTQ+.
Naw Susanna Hla Hla Soe, an elected member of parliament from the National League for Democracy (NLD) government who was ousted in the 2021 coup, told DVB that she will continue to support the NUG as an adviser following her retirement from the post of Minister of Women, Youth and Children Affairs. Her Deputy Minister Ei Thinzar Maung also stepped down from her role. Read more
Liu Zhongyi, China’s Assistant Minister of Public Security, is welcomed by Thai Police upon arrival at the Mae Sot International Airport in Tak Province of Thailand before departing across the border into Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Dec. 14. (Credit: CJ)
Foreign nationals detained on cyber scam raids held in Myanmar
The regime in Naypyidaw appealed to the international community on Sunday to take back hundreds of foreigners who have been detained in a crackdown on cyber scam centers in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, after raids on KK Park and Shwe Kokko, located along the border with Thailand. The operations resulted in the detention of thousands of foreign nationals.
The regime’s Minister for Security and Border Affairs in Karen State Min Thu Kyaw said that Naypyidaw was struggling to manage the detainees. “They are different nationals, who have different religions, morals and personalities,” he said. “We want the international community to come and call them quickly. It would be more convenient if they call them back as soon as possible.”
The regime’s Deputy Minister for Home Affairs Aung Kyaw Kyaw, told a press conference on Dec. 14 in Yangon, that 13,272 foreigners from 47 countries had been detained since the start of the cyber scam crackdown in January. While most have been deported, 1,655 are still in detention awaiting repatriation to their home countries, he said. Read more
News by Region
KAREN—China’s Assistant Minister of Public Security Liu Zhongyi entered Myawaddy Township, via Mae Sot, Thailand, on Monday. He reportedly visited cyber scam centers along with regime officials. Myawaddy is located 85 miles (137 km) east of the state capital Hpa-An.
Over 100 buildings reportedly used for cyber scam operations were demolished by the regime at KK Park and Shwe Kokko in Myawaddy. Liu is scheduled to attend meetings with regime and Thai officials to discuss cyber scam operations in Myawaddy. His last visit was in February.
BAGO—Residents of Nattalin Township told DVB that over 30,000 residents across five villages have been displaced from their homes by aerial attacks carried out by the Burma Air Force Dec. 9-14. Nattalin is located 149 miles (239 km) northwest of the region’s capital Bago.
A Nattalin resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces launched a counteroffensive against the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in the township. He added that he was unable to confirm the number of casualties due to a telecommunications blackout in the area.
SAGAING—Four civilians were killed and over 10 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Wetlet, Shwebo and Depayin townships on Saturday, residents told DVB. The three towns are located 47-58 miles (75-93 km) east and north of the region’s capital Monywa.
A Wetlet resident told DVB that all of the four killed in the airstrikes had lived in Htonbo village. No fighting between regime and resistance forces was reported in the townships. At least 19 civilians were killed by airstrikes on Depayin’s Marakan village on Dec. 5, residents told DVB.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,015 MMK)
Op-ed: Refugees in Malaysia face uncertain future due to new program. Find DVB English News on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok & Bluesky. Subscribe on YouTube.
