CNI News

27 December, 2023

The Operation 1027 that is being waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance has decelerated, U Li Paw Reh, chairman of the Lisu National Development Party (Dulei Party), told CNI News.

 The operation that was launched on 27th October 2023 attacked some towns in northern Shan State at the same time and captured some towns.

" I've heard that they have ceased fire for the time being. In any case, they are battle wearied. The Three Brotherhood Alliance also - their weapons and ammunition must be reduced because they have already waged many battles. It should be necessary to ceasefire like this. But the battles will resume. But the battles won't be severe like before, I think. I don't know about their military on detail." said U Li Paw Reh to CNI News.

While seeing the Ta'ang Force (SPM News)

Due to the Chinese mediation in the second week of December, 2023, delegates from the National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) of the State Administration Council and from the Three Brotherhood Alliance met and discussed. And they agreed to ceasefire until 31st December 2023.

And then, although they discussed again from 22nd to 24th December, no agreement was reached. 

However, they agreed to meet again in January 2024 reportedly. The Three Brotherhood Alliance (the MNDAA, the TNLA and the AA) have stated that they have already captured some towns including Chin Shwe Haw, Kunlong, Konkyan, Namkham, Mantong and Namsang.

Due to the battles in northern Shan State, China-Myanmar border trade has stopped and most locals have fled to safety. In the same way, after the roads and bridges were damaged, locals are suffering from commodity prices sharply rising.

When a military camp of the Tatmadaw has been captured (SPM News)

If the Tatmadaw could not re-control the cities and towns that have been captured by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, the country's economy would be more affected, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

" Currently, the Tatmadaw has abandoned many military bases in northern Shan State. Being attacked with so much force, any camp could not withstand it. We haven't seen how the Tatmadaw will fight back to regain the military camps. Moreover, the discussion mediated by China a few days ago was not successful. What should they do early in 2024?  How should the government take action?  If this keeps up, the country's economy will be more affected." he said.

Although the Operation 1027 has been two months long on 27th December, the battles are still breaking out between the two sides.

CNI News

27 December 2023

More and more arrests have been conducted starting a few days ago in Malaysia and over 500 foreigners including Myanmar have been arrested, Myanmar people who have arrived in Malaysia told CNI News. 

30 percent of those arrested were holders of fake evidence documents reportedly.

About 1,000 Malaysian police forces arrested and those who were arrested most are from Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal. 

Moreover, two Bangladeshi citizens and one Myanmar national who forged permit stickers, according to a piece of news released by the Malaysiam immigration department.

Because of these arrests, Myanmar citizens didn't go out very often and this arrest plan was different from previous arrests, U Nyi Nyi Lwin, director of the Center for Arakan Refugees (CAR), told CNI News.

While Malaysian authorities were arresting migrant people

" In the past, immigration officers came to the places where foreigners stayed and arrest illegal residents. But now it's a plan, so 1,000 reserve police forces are used. Reserve police force is like the army in Malaysia. They are allowed to open fire. Investigation booths called block checks are deployed and surprise checks and arrests' conducted. Those arrested are not taken to the police stations and immigration departments. They are taken to the police training school where they are inspected. All the foreigners are taken to the police training school whether they have permits or UN cards or not." said U Nyi Nyi Lwin.

Among those arrested, the people who have applied for permits could be taken out by their employers and the people who have applied for the UNHCR cards could be released after the UN are informed. But, those who don't have any evidence documents are punished and sent back home reportedly.

The Malaysian Ministry of Immigration has warned the employers about the operation, individuals who are helping Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

 If the taxi drivers were found without any evidence documents, they would be taken effectively action against, said in the statement released by the Malaysian government, Hmwar Michaek, a person helping in the affairs of Myanmar citizens, told CNI News.

While Malaysian authorities were arresting migrant people

" According to the current situation, I want Myanmar people keep a low profile by staying home and workplace only. Myanmar people are so obvious on social media or TikTok that Malaysian citizens might hate them. Myanmar people need to keep a low profile if they succeed in their work as well. There are organizations that attack foreigners who are successful." he said.

When a car with three people was asked by the policemen to stop for the inspection a few days ago in Selangor Province, the three people started opening fire at the policemen after which shootings exchanged and those three men were killed reportedly Of those killed, the two people were the UN card holders and the one was undocumented. 

According to the statement, they were all Rohingyas and those who are possibly related to them are being searched for reportedly.

More and more arrests might be possible as it is very drawing near to the end of the year because the period that has allowed undocumented workers to apply for Ricarlibraci permit so that they can work legally will expire, some people have estimated.

CNI News

27 December 2023

Summer paddy cultivation could be reduced in some townships of Ayeyarwady Region where the most cultivation of it is located this year, said farmers. 

It was not necessary to pump river water in the previous years for the summer paddy cultivation. However, this year, it is necessary to pump river water because the tides are lower reportedly.

Moreover, it is difficult to buy fuel. So, because the cost would be higher, summer paddy cultivation would be reduced, U Aye Naing, a farmer from Bogale Township, told CNI News.

" This year summer paddy cultivation will be reduced for sure. We can grow on the low lying farms only but not on the higher lying farms because we have to use fuel when we have to pump river water. Although fuel is available, the cost will become higher. So, farmers won't make a profit. We didn't have to pump river water in the previous years." said U Aye Naing. 

While seeing a fuel station

There are 17 million acres of summer paddy cultivation in Ayeyarwady Region and it is grown in Bogale, Pyapon, Dedaye, Maubin, Nyaungdon and Labutta Townships where there are low lying farms reportedly.

Although the yield of summer paddy is more than that of rainfed paddy in some townships, the yield of summer paddy in other townships is just 30 or 40 baskets per acre. So, it was difficult to grow summer paddy, said farmers.

The Myanmar Rice Federation and regional government organizations should support the farmers whose costs are rising due to having to pump river water and the farmers who need fuel, U Thein Aung, chairman of the Farmers Development Association, told CNI News.

"The MRF should direct the regional rice mills and rice traders to help the farmers and the township administration councils concerned need to take care of contract farming. It depends on their qualifications." he said.

While seeing farmers

Most of regions and states are currently weak in cultivation in Myanmar due to territorial instabilities. However, because Ayeyarwady Region is stable, the farmers there needed to grow, pointed out the Farmers Development Association.

When the rainfed paddy was harvested this year, the farmers enjoyed good prices. Because the prices of summer paddy would be good, the farmers should grow summer paddy more, said U Thein Aung, chairman of the FDA.

CNI News

 26 December , 2023

The people in Rakhine State were suffering from roadblocks and heavy weapons more than from the battles, U Thar Tun Hla, chairman of the Arakan National Party (ANP), told CNI News.

 After the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army resumed on 13th November 2023, roads and waterways have been closed.

" Rather than the battles are breaking out, because the roads and waterways have been closed by the Tatmadaw, foodstuffs are sharply going up. So, the entire people in Rakhine State are suffering from a food crisis. As not only battle ground areas but also other townships have been closed, it's the problem that the entire people in the state are experiencing. Moreover, houses and shops were burned due to the explosion of shells fired by heavy weapons when there were not any battles. So, Rakhine people are also suffering from fire damage due to the explosion of shells fired by heavy weapons" said U Thar Tun Hla.

The Mrauk U Museum where has housed ancient heritage items was damaged due to the explosion of shells fired by heavy weapons on 25th December 2023 and cultural sites that are non-military targets should be avoided, he said. 

While seeing Rakhine locals

If the battles could not be stopped, it could be like a situation after the Second World War for the people. There could not be good results for the future, said a Sittwe resident.

" If the battles cannot be stopped, the people will suffer like a situation after the Second World War. If the battles are breaking out for long, the public will get into trouble more. If the battles take long, Rakhine people can be tamed by fighting and become people who are not afraid of war. Although there were no battles urban areas in the past, the people had to suffer the civil war for almost 70 years. In the same way, if the urban public got used to battles, there would be no good result for our future." he said to CNI News.

While seeing Rakhine locals

The battles resumed between the Tatmadaw and the AA starting from 13th November 2023 and the battles between the two sides are breaking out in Paletwa Township in Chin State as well.

The battles are currently breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, Ranbye, Myaybon, Taung Goat, Thandwe, Maungdaw, Buthidaung, Rathedaung, Kyauktaw, Pauktaw, Minbya, Mrauk U and Ponnagyun Townships in Rakhine State and Paletwa Township in Chin State.

CNI News
December 25 2023

 Over one million foreign tourists have entered Myanmar in 2023, U Aung Aye Han, deputy director general of the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism told CNI News.

Of more than 200,000 foreign tourists who entered Myanmar in 2022, over 100,000 only entered with Tourist Visa, according to tourism entrepreneurs.

" For the time being, over one million foreign tourists have already entered Myanmar. But in comparison with 2019, foreign tourist arrivals are much less because that year, 4.36 million foreign tourists entered Myanmar. Among the foreign tourists who came with tourist visas, Thai people are the most." said U Aung Aye Han.

Among those entering with Business Visa, Chinese tourists are the most, according to the ministry.

While seeing foreign tourists at the beach

Although the number of foreign tourists who entered this year obviously increased than last year, if the number of foreign tourists who entered with tourist visa was released, tourism industries would be able to calculate.

Because there are instabilities in Myanmar at present, most tourists from local and abroad probably will go to Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan and beach areas, U Thet Lwin Toe, a tourism entrepreneur told CNI News.

Moreover, because fuel problems have arisen and more power outages have taken place this year, there have been more difficulties and obstacles for the tourism industry, he added.

" Local tourists were able to spend a lot of money in the domestic tours during the holidays in the previous years. But this year, fuel is more expensive and it's also difficult to buy it. Moreover, domestic tourists are also less able to spend as their economy declines. Tourism-based hotel and restaurant businesses are also affected. Especially, tour operators are affected more because the tourists who go with tour operators have decreased." said U Thet Lwin Toe.

However, there were about five million domestic tourists in 2029 and there are about eight million domestic tourists in 2023, according to the ministry.

Tour operators have expected better result in 2024 and it was only necessary to have political and territorial stabilities for the development of tourism industry, they pointed out.

CNI News
December 25 2023

Although the area that is controlled by the three northern organizations aka Three Brotherhood Alliance - the Arakan Army (AA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in northern Shan State, they still have had no clear governance, said political commentators.

The three northern EAOs have not been able to control Kyaukme, Lashio and Kutkai although they have already controlled 80 percent of northern Shan State, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

" 80 percent of the northern Shan State is under the control of the three brotherhood alliance. Although there are military bases of the Tatmadaw in Kyaukme, Lashio and Kutkai, soldiers there just stay inside the compound of the bases. At the other places are troops of the Three Brotherhood Alliance. So, the matter relating to the governance hasn't reached a clear situation. But the region is under the control of the Three Brotherhood Alliance. Important places such as Kyaukme and Lashio probably will be captured gradually by the Three Brotherhood Alliance." said U Than Soe Naing.

After Operation-1027 was launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State on 27th October 2023, the battles broke out between the Tatmadaw and the joint forces of the Three Brotherhood Alliance.

While seeing the MNDAA force

Due to the battles, the China-Myanmar border trade has stopped and most locals have fled to safety.

The three northern groups announced that they had captured Namkham Town a few days ago and currently, they are attacking Laukkai and Mong Ton.

However, it was not right that northern Shan State has been controlled by the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the line of communication only was disconnected, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the MNDAA force

" For example, Mong Ton has not been captured. I heard that the Tatmadaw planted mines in time. So, they were unable to climb up. There are still a lot of militias and border guard forces in Laukkai. If the decisive battle was waged, the two sides would suffer. We can't say that the Three Brotherhood Alliance has already controlled the northern Shan State. The line of communication has been disconnected, kind of. We have to wait and see." said Dr.Aung Myo.

The Operation-1027 that was launched by the Three Brotherhood Alliance is spreading to Kachin State, Sagaing and Mandalay Regions and the battles are taking place there.

Moreover, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the AA in Rakhine and Chin States.

CNI News
23 December 2023

The Ministry of Labor has suspended the proposal submitted by overseas employment agencies that will send MoU workers to Thailand through Myawady-Maesot route starting from 19th December, the agencies told CNI News.

Because there are not stabilities on the Yangon-Myawady-Maesot route and workers cannot be sent, presenting to send MoU workers through that route has been suspended and sending through Yangon-Kawthaung- Ranong route has been allowed as usual reportedly.

Yangon-Kawthaung-Ranong route has been just the one sending workers by flight since before and it would cost around for 500,000 kyats for a worker anymore, Daw Myat Hayman Lin, managing director of the Pwint Phu Aung Overseas Employment Agency, told CNI News.

“MoU workers have to pay for the flight. Around 5 lakhs will cost a worker any more. As we have to re-arrange everything from beginning to end, it might be difficult to buy air tickets. Because there are not enough flights, we can't send a lot of workers at a time. We can send 70 workers at most a day." she said.

While seeing Myanmar MoU workers who will go to the Thai side from the Kawthaung-Ranong road

At present, because the New Asia Road cannot be used, Htoh Kaw Koe- Kyaw Khoh has been allowed to go one day up and one day down starting from 18th December. So, some agencies are sending their workers through that road reportedly.

However, large vehicles are not allowed to travel on that road. So, agencies are sending workers by using cars that can hold 15 workers each, according to the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Federation.

However, the period allowed to send workers through Myawady-Maesot route before the 19th December was until January, U Myat Thu, general secretary of the MOEAF, told CNI News.

" There are two batches to enter Thailand. First batch is to enter before the new year and the second, after the new year. More important, we need to send all the workers who have to enter before the new year by the end of this year. If we can't send the workers in time, the employers may substitute other workers. If so, we can get into trouble. We have to be careful." he said.

While seeing MoU Myanmar migrant workers

The battles have been taking place between the Tatmadaw and KNLA/PDF joint forces since 1st December 2023 on the Myawady-Kawkareik New Asia Road, the main channel for the flow of goods between Myanmar and Thailand.

The KNLA/PDF joint forces have controlled the road up to now.

Because the road has not been able to be used for two weeks, the flow of goods between the two countries has almost stopped reportedly.

CNI News
23 December 2023

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) provided bags of rice and vegetables to the IDPs who fled to Homalin Town in upper Sagaing Region.

Due to the offensive attacks of the KIA/PDF joint forces in Homalin and Phaungbyin Townships, over 1,600 local people fled to Homalin Town.

And then because the IDPs need food, the SNA donated 50 bags of rice and vegetables on 20th December 2023.

While the SNA was providing food to the IDPs in Homalin on 20th December 2023 (CJ)

Currently, the IDPs are taking refuge inside the compound of the Sudaung Pyae Pagoda in Homalin, at the Dhamma Aye Yeik Taw Ya Monastery and at the Myoma Monastery.

The SNA is an EAO that is trying to get Shanni State, gathering its territorials that are included in Sagaing Region and Kachin State. And it is trying to enable Shanni nationalities living in Shanni territorials to live peacefully.

CNI News
23 December 2023

The bridge over creek in Kaw Nweh Village on the Myawady-Kawkareik Asia Highway, the main trade channel between Myanmar and Thailand in Kayin State was broken and damaged because it was exploded on 16th December.

So, preparations are being made to use another road for trade.

Buses and family cars are going and coming on the Htoh Kaw Ko Road as an alternative. However, it is still not convenient for big trucks to go on that road reportedly.

The Asia Highway is not convenient for exporters to use, traders who export goods to Thailand have considered to choose the channels that save cost such as the route going from Kawkareik and the route going by sea, U Thant Zin Tun, vice chairman of the Myanmar Corn Industrial Association, told CNI News.

While the bridge over creek in Kaw Nweh Village is broken

" It's not been convenient anymore to trade through Myawady. When we think about other routes, a possibility is that we can go from Yangon through domestic coastline to Kawkareik from which to the border. But when we go by ship from the coastline, it can cost us a lot for the transport. So, should we we go by sea all the way? We'll have a think about it. if the transportation charges were too high, we couldn't pay a good price when we buy goods." he said.

Although corns produced in Shan State can be exported to Thailand through Maesai-Tachileik border trade, the road is so steep that big trucks with very powerful engines only can go. So, just a small amount of goods can be exported.

Currently, the battles are breaking out between the Tatmadaw and the KNLA/PDF joint forces in Kawkareik and along the Asia Highway.

While seeing cars going on the Thai-Myanmar Trade Route

There are also traffic jams on the Nabu-Htoh Kaw Ko Road that is currently used and cars are going on the basis of one day up-one day down at present, a trader from Myawady told CNI News.

" The biggest kind of car that can go on that road is light truck. So, valuable goods like beauty products are transported. The road is narrow and it is and earth road as well." he said.

Myawady-Kawkareik Asia Road is the main road for Myanmar-Thailand border trade and it can save cost and time. But it cannot be used for some time.

So, when the goods are exported to Thailand or imported from Thailand, trading be sea can be the best, pointed out traders.