CNI News

6 November 2023

Among the armies in Myanmar, Rakhine army is the most powerful after the Myanmar Tatmadaw (considered as Bamar Army), U Kun Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician, told CNI News. 

Many Rakhine youths are serving in the Arakan Army (AA) and AA has deployed its troops across the country, he said.

" To the best of my knowledge, among the armies in Myanmar, AA is the most powerful after the Bamar Army ( the Tatmadaw). AA contains a lot of Rakhine youths. So, AA can deploy its troops across the country. AA troops are in Karen, Kachin and Shan States. And AA has their own territory. AA troops are at battles with their allies in other parts of the country." he said to CNI News.

While seeing an intersection in Rakhine State

At present, at the battles against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State, AA troops are fighting with its brotherhood allies. Moreover, in cooperation with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), AA is fighting against the Tatmadaw in Kachin State and Sagaing Region.

AA had created a route from Kachin State through Chin State to Rakhine State in order that weapons could be exported, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

While seeing AA troops

" AA was founded by gathering Rakhine youths who came to jade mining site. And then, AA sent its troops to Rakhine State. But AA troops are in Kachin State as well. AA has created a route from Kachin state through Chin State to Rakhine State in order that weapons could be exported. To tell you the truth, KIA gave birth to disciples and took protection. And KIA gave birth to Palaung armed group and took protection as well. AA troops in Kachin State and Sagaing Region are KIA's allies, you might say so. In other words, AA troops there are kind of mercenary soldiers." he said.

The Arakan Army was formed in April, 2009 and AA took a foothold in Paletwa Township, Chin State and penetrated into Rakhine State reportedly. Currently, the military strength of the AA is at least 30,000 troops, which those monitoring the armed groups said.

CNI News

3 November 2023

Although rice prices are high at present, farmers in Ayeyarwady Region are getting more benefits than farmers from other regions and states because Ayeyarwady Region has better transportation than other regions and provinces and also is close to Yangon Port where goods are exported abroad. 

Moreover, more exporters come to the region, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

" When the rice paddy starts appearing, the price is 16 to 17 lakh kyats for 100 baskets. But if there is no demand from international, the price won't be that much. The prices go up quickly at the places where are close to exporters and traders. When the rice from Mon State is sent to Yangon, transportation charges will cost farmers or traders more. When the rice where big trucks can't enter is carried, transportation charges will cost more. There is a difference of 200,000 kyats in profit per 100 bag of rice paddy between the farmers on the east bank and those on the west bank of the Ayeyarwady River." he said.

While bags of rice are being carried

The farmers from Rakhine State, Mon State and Ayeyarwady Region have been able to sell 100 baskets of Aemahta rice paddy at 12 to 15 lakh kyats, the basic reference price designated by the Myanmar Rice Federation. However, the cost for cultivation on an acre is from 8 to 10 lakh kyats.

Moreover, because the yield is just about 60 baskets per acre, they get a little profit, said rainfed farmers from Mon State.

In the same way, the farmers in Rakhine State need harvesting and threshing machines and if they have to reap the rice paddy with manpower, they could make a loss, U Maung Thein Hla, secretary of the Mrauk U Township Danyawady Farmers Federation, told CNI News.

" Rice paddy is successful. A big challenge is that we don't have harvesting and threshing machines. If we reap with harvesting and threshing machines, it will cost us about one lakh kyats for an acre. But if we reap with manpower, it will cost over two lakh kyats." he said.

While meeting rice paddy farmer

In the Ayeyarwady Region, because of having a contract farming system, obtaining agricultural loans and being able to grow and produce high-quality rice paddy, the yield is good. 

Because rice is cultivated with machinery, the yield is better. So, the farmers in Ayeyarwady Region has benefited more than those in other regions, said farmers.

At present, rice paddy farmers and rice mill operators in Rakhine state cooperate and are carrying out to produce high-yielding rice paddy as well as to implement a contract farming system reportedly.

CNI News

3 November 2023

Chinese fugitives cooperated with some Myanmar EAOs and were lying to China and Myanmar people online, said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun, leader of the Information Team of the State Administration Council (SAC). 

He said the above while he was explaining regarding the incident in which the MNDAA and its allies attacked the Laukkai area and other areas as a televised briefing.

" The reasons why they (Three Brotherhood Alliance) attacked includes putting down online gambling. We have already told who are included in the online gambling. Myanmar people are not lying to Chinese people. In the same way, Chinese people are not lying to Myanmar people. Chinese fugitives running away with online gambling and other crimes cooperate with some Myanmar EAOs and they are lying to Myanmar and Chinese people through online." said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

While the UWSA was handing over online scammers to the Chinese authorities

He did not reveal the names of the EAOs that cooperated with the Chinese fugitives. 

However, online scam businesses are located in the territories of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) and Kokang Militia regions.

So, after Chinese government had asked chairman of Kokang Autonomous Region, UWSA and NDAA including Myanmar government to arrest online scammers, online scammers were arrested by the thousand.

While China has issued arrest warrants for two young Wa leaders who were sacked by the UWSA

Chinese government has issued arrest warrants to the two young Wa leaders - Bao Ai Pang, head of construction department and Ai Haw, head of Mylin District, relatives of U Bao Youxiang, chairman of the United Wa State Army because they were involved in online gambling.

The UWSA released a statement on 17th October 2023 that Ai Haw and Bao Ai Pang had been sacked because they were involved in online gambling.

CNI News

3 Nov 2023

Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, the flow of goods is interrupted and the prices are sky-rocketed and shortages of fuel and other basic foodstuffs are occurring, said locals. 

Although people in the towns near the Chinese border such as Muse and Laukkai can buy goods from the Chinese border trade, Kutkai, Lashio and Theinni towns are finding it more difficult than border areas because the towns are far from the border area and it is not easy to transport goods from the mainland reportedly. 

Because there is a power failure in Kutkai at present, residents are finding it difficult to get drinking water. Moreover, fuel and other commodities are also in short supply, a Kutkai resident told CNI News.

" We are finding it difficult in everything because we can't go anywhere. People in Muse can buy goods from the Chinese side. Because we are depending on the local goods from Theinni and Lashio, all the prices are going up. People in town find it more difficult. We have almost run out of drinking water. Because the power station was mined in Kutkai, we can't use electricity. And there is no fuel for generators as well. We had to boil the water that fell from the mountain and drink it in such a situation. If this keeps up, it will be very difficult for our livelihood." he said.

Although it is just 16 miles away from Kutkai to Theinni, it is not easy to get rice from Theinni because not only battles are breaking out, a bridge also, on the way has broken, said Kutkai residents.

A meat and fish market in Yangon

Although the price for 30 eggs was 6,000 kyats in the past, but now the price has been 18,000 kyats. Moreover, the price for a bag of rice was just over 100,000 kyats in the past, but now the price has been until 200,000 kyats reportedly.

They were planning to buy basic foodstuff from the Chinese side and sell at regular prices in Muse to protect from higher prices, commodity shortages and speculation by those who store goods for long, Ko Pyae from the Kan Let Kunyi Prahita Association told CNI News.

" We have not been allowed to pass the Theinni-Yebu Gate between Lashio and Muse. Goods don't enter and they don't go out as well. The route between Lashio and Muse has been still blocked. The prices are going up all over the northern Shan State. But in Muse, the price of an egg has been up to nearly 1,000 kyats. So, we buy eggs from China and sell them. We give the poor free of charge. The prices are going up due to rumor, I think. Yesterday we sold over 5,000 eggs. They were not sold out. We are working to buy basic foodstuff from China and to sell them in Muse. We are still transporting. We have to buy an egg at 350 kyats from China. the prices of some goods might be higher a little." he said.

Due to battles, roads are blocked, bridges are broken, sounds of gunfire are still heard, schools and departmental offices are closed, said Kutkai residents. 

Moreover, MNDAA has prohibited people not use the Muse-Lashio Pyidaungsu Road and the Laukkai-Lashio Pyidaungsu Road.

CNI News

3 November 2023

It was not convenient to obtain documentary evidence for children of Myanmar migrant workers who have registered in the name list in some provinces, Thailand, U Min Oo, in charge of labor affairs from the Foundation for Education and Development (FED) told CNI News.

Thai government has allowed migrant workers who have registered in the name list to temporarily stay and work in Thailand until 13th February 2025 and their children at the age of under 18.

" But when you try to obtain documentary evidence for your children, it's still difficult. It depends on provinces. In the place where we stay, we need recommendationsfrom employers or heads of villages. It's convenient to obtain documentary for children in the 10th territory of Bangkok. It depends on provinces." said U Min Oo.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

The documents for children are issued by Thai Labor and Employment Department in relevant provinces as well as the Ministry of Home Affairs. Although documents for children could be obtained through brokers, it was not encouraged due to a lot of inconvenience, said U Min Oo  

If children who were over 18 wanted to work, they would have to apply for work permit. The cost for applying like that would be the same as the cost of their parents reportedly.

Moreover, employers have to submit the name list until 15th January 2024 to allow workers to work legally, the Office of the Labor Ambassador has stated.

Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand

"This parent and this child will be correct only if it is on the identification card that is attached together. Because parents have name list documents, children are not allowed to stay. When they go somewhere, they need to show something documented. So many children were born in Myanmar. It's even worse if you can't show a birth certificate. For example, when the parents took their children at the age of 8 to 13 with them, they were checked if they were human traffickers. So, when parents apply for the Name List, they need to apply for their children as dependents." said Ko Thar gyi helping in the affairs of migrant workers to CNI News.

When documented children travel, they can travel without territorial restrictions and are not subject to interrogation reportedly.

The number of migrant workers that have registered in the name list in Thailand about one million and they have been allowed to stay and work for just over one year. However, later the renewal might be allowed, said some people.

CNI News

2 November 2023

If any attacks including airstrikes entered its territory through the battles currently breaking out in Kokang region, it would fight against any organization, the United Wa State Army stated. 

It would not take side with any organization in the Kokang war and it applied non-aligned policy, said in the statement. After that, UWSA urged the two sides to stop the war and to meet and discuss.

" The UWSA has full rights to protect its region and people. So, if any attacks including airstrikes that enter its territory, it will fight back against them" the UWSA stated. However, UWSA said that it would help IDPs who entered the Wa region.

While seeing the anti-aircraft weapon of the UWSA

In cooperation with its allies - the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Bamar People's Liberation Army (BPLA) and the Mandalay PDF, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) is capturing the Tatmadaw's military camps in northern Shan State.

The operation has been named 'Operation-1027' and MNDAA and its allies fought against the Tatmadaw's military camps, general administration offices, police stations and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Lashio, Naungkio, Chin Shwe Haw, Mong Ko and Muse townships in northern Shan State.

After that, the Tatmadaw also has been conducting counter attacks and due to the Tatmadaw's military re-enforcements from Mandalay, battles are severely taking place. 

Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw and Mong Ko townships where battles are breaking out are bordering with the UWSA's territory.

CNI News

2 Nov 2023 

EAOs had told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing frankly that they would change the idea of building a federal democratic union after 2025, said Lt-Gen Gun Maw of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). 

He said the above in an interview with BBC.

" We have frankly told Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and the NLD led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that they should find a solution to build a federal union in 2025 at the latest. We, revolutionary forces, are telling to build a federal union. So, at that moment, we told the State Consultant and C in C to lead in building a federal union and would take part in that. But the idea was not accepted, we would change the idea after 2025. And then it would be questionable why the Tatmadaw could not participate in  building a democratic federal union." he said.

However, he did not reveal which political system KIA would apply after changing federalism. 

The Arakan Army (AA) has proclaimed that confederation or a separate independent country would be established. In the same way, the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) are governing their territories in a way of confederation beyond the 2008 Constitution.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Lt-Gen Gun Maw

Although KIA was telling to build a federal democratic union, it had an ambition to build the republic of Wang Pao, which are said among the revolutionary circles.

However, the Karen National Union (KNU), the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the Shan State Progressive Party (SSPP) are fighting against the Tatmadaw with the idea of building a federal democratic union. 

Brig-Gen Ta Bone Kyaw, general secretary of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said on 18 August 2022 that Ta'ang people must be ready to build a country of their own because small countries may emerge with the collapse of the current union without a possibility to build a federal union when the political demands are higher.

" Because of geopolitics or the current world political situation, when the revolution accelerates, if we can't build a federal union, small countries may emerge. We, Ta'ang people need to think about it. If we were able to build a federal union, we need to prepare to build a state of our own. Otherwise, we need to prepare to build a country of our own." he said.

The current crisis should not be longer than five years, Lt-Gen Gun Maw said in a interview with BBC.

Brig-Gen Tar Bone Kyaw, general secretary of the TNLA

" We have designated the period from 1st February 2021 until  sometime when the crisis ends as 'interval'. Spring Revolution is interval. We temporarily designate the period from 1st February 2021 to sometime when a stable government in the union arises as interval. We use the term 'Union' only. We don't use the term 'Union of Myanmar'. This period should not be longer than five years. But it depends on efforts, understanding, negotiations of all of us and battles. The time when we are all in trouble or the time everyone is tired of war should not exceed five years." said Lt-Gen Gun Maw of the KIA.

The time when everyone is tired of war should not exceed 5 years Having said that the NLD government led by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was trying to form a government without solving the ballot dispute that took place in the 2020 general election, the Tatmadaw toppled down the government. 

After that, former members of Hluttaw, political activists in cooperation with some EAOs are waging an armed revolution to overthrow the Tatmadaw and end the military dictatorship.

Due to armed conflicts, the number of IDPs has exceeded one million. Moreover, houses are being set fire and civilians are being killed.

CNI News

2 November 2023

The Tatmadaw has run out of patience with the KIA, the Tatmadaw stated on 31st October 2023. 

KIA and its allies attacked the troops working to secure the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road in full force and because the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road is used by the public, terrorist acts should not be done on the road, said in the statement. 

If terrorist acts were done again, appropriate responses would be made because the Tatmadaw had had zero tolerance towards any more of terrorist attacks, which it had notified twice, said in the statement.

According to the statement, battles between the two sides probably would be severe and KIA was trying to control Kachin State, U Kun Gawng Awng Hkam, a Kachin politician told CNI News.

While seeing an armored car of Myanmar Tatmadaw

" According to the statement, it seems to me battles between the two sides will be severe. But it depends on whether the Tatmadaw can do or not. Because, in my opinion, KIA also is gradually trying to control Kachin State. Another thing, at the same time, northern EAO allies are capturing the Tatmadaw's camps one after another in northern Shan State. So, the Tatmadaw may find it difficult, I think." he said.

However, the Tatmadaw conducted suitable attacks on the places where weapon and ammunition were produced and stored, the Tatmadaw stated. Although CNI News tried to contact with Col. Nawbu, information officer of the KIA, to know more about the statement, it has not been able to contact with him.

While seeing two KIA troops

" KIA will have prepared. And it depends on how much the Tatmadaw will fight. Every armed organization is sort of going strongly. So, it depends on the confrontation." said U Kun Gawn Awng Hkam.

Battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and KIA/PDF joint forces in Hpakant, Waimaw, Sagaing Region and northern Shan State including along the the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road.

CNI News

2 Nov 2023

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, Commander in Chief of the Defense Services and chairman of the State Administration Council (SAC) met and discussed with H.E Wang Xiaohong, Minister for Public Security and member of the State’s Council of the People’s Republic of China about the attacks by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on 1st November 2023.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar was a reliable country for China and vice versa at the meeting.

Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and Wang Xiaohong discussed MNDAA's attacks on security posts in northeastern part of Myanmar (Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw, Mong Ko, Theinni, Lashio, Muse, Nam kham). 

Moreover,they discussed jointly identifying and taking action against online scams as well as narcotic drug production and trade reportedly.

When the MNDAA forces have raided a toll gate in Theinni, northern Shan State

And then, they also discussed treating other countries with double standards by a world power for its benefit, intervening in world affairs including Myanmar politics.

There had been strength competitions among EAOs in northern Shan State since Myanmar gained her independence and also armed conflicts took place among them. Moreover, some EAOs were producing narcotic drugs and selling, which were explained to the Chinese Minister for Public Security by Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing reportedly.

armed And then a riot between Feng and Yang groups arising in Kokang region and assignment to Pie group, desire for power, weapons and ammunitions production, damage to the border area's stability due to weapons were explained by the SAC chairman and he also explained the situations that can eradicate illegal online game gambling and online scams.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing and H.E. Wang Xiaohong, Chinese Minister for Public Security

MNDAA launched its Operation-1027 together with its allies - the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) in northern Shan State starting from 27th October 2023 and battles are breaking out severely.

On the other hand, battles are severely taking place between the Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Kachin State and KIA is capturing the Tatmadaw's military camps on the Myitkyina-Bamaw Road.