CNI News

14 November 2023

As the Tazaungdaing Festival will be held in southern Shan State, almost every hotel room there has been booked for the Tazaungdaing holiday. 

However, as battles are taking place in northern Shan State, there is no tourist who will go there reportedly.

Because the Taunggyi Tazaungdaing Balloon Festival will be held in a crowded manner from 21st to 27th November, there have been hardly any rooms to be booked at present, U Sithu Kyaw, deputy director of the Shan State Hotel and Tourism Directorate, told CNI News.

" It seems to be difficult to get a hotel room for the Tazaungdaing festival days. Rooms are not available at all for 25th and 26th November. The office holiday becomes three days including Tazaungdaing Festival day. After that, the Mee Shaw Taing (Fire Pole) Festival will be held in Kalaw. So, hotel rooms will be fully booked." he said.

While seeing people who are trapped near Par Sin Kyaw Village between Laukkai and Chin Shwe Haw

During the Tazaungdaing Festival, about nine balloons will be launched each night and beautiful balloons will be also launched in the daytime reportedly.

This year balloon festival will be held to become like the situation before the Covid-19 pandemic reportedly. 

Although there are festivals and hotel bookings in southern Shan State, there are hardly any tourists who come to northern Shan State and the tourists who were staying there have already gone back, U Zaw Zaw, chairman of the Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (northern Shan State), told CNI News.

IDP camps that are opened at BP-125, Chinese-Myanmar border

" Last year, there were quite a lot of tourists who came here. At a time like this last year, if you didn't book hotel rooms three days in advance, you wouldn't get a room. Because the battles are taking place in many parts, few tourists have come here. Even tourists who have already arrived here find it difficult to go home. There are many IDPs only in the border area. Chinese tourists haven't come. There are hardly any tourists who enter here." said U Zaw Zaw.

Moreover, tourists have been limited to enter northern Shan State since before. The tourism sector will recover only if the current battles end, the roads are safe and the flow of goods can run normally, said people. 
 
In addition, airlines going to northern Shan State have been closed since October 28 and have not been reopened to date reportedly.

CNI News

14 November 2023

Battles have been restarted between the Tatmadaw and the Arakan Army in Rakhine State on 13th November 2023 and roads have been closed, a local told CNI News. 

The AA fought police stations and border guard posts in Rathedaung, Kuauktaw and Minpya Townships starting from 5:00 a.m. on 13th November 2023 reportedly. 

Soon after the battles were launched, roads in Rakhine State have been closed and because of closure like that, locals might find it difficult, said a Sittwe resident.

"Kyauktan Bus Terminal, exit from Sittwe has been closed. Other terminals have been closed as well including bus terminals in Ann and Gwa Towns. We have only two paths - waterways and roads. We can use waterways to transport non-perishable goods only. Largely, we transport vegetables and foodstuff by road only. If the roads are closed, locals get into trouble" he said to CNI News.

While seeing an intersection in Rakhine State

Together with not only the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State but also revolutionary forces in Kachin State and Sagaing Region, the AA is taking part in the battles fighting against the Tatmadaw. 

It was expected that AA's military activities in Rakhine State would increase as the Spring Revolution was gaining momentum, U Than Soe Naing, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" Temporary agreements between the Tatmadaw and the AA will be broken as the Spring Revolution is gaining momentum. We are expecting Rakhine State will gain its independence and sovereignty with the development of the Spring Revolution. It's just the beginning. Later, I hope we'll see the AA's fighting against the Tatmadaw in the entire Rakhine State." he said.

Political problems should be solved with the political means and because of the wars, the locals had difficulty in making a living, said a Sittwe resident. 

While seeing Mrauk U Town in Rakhine State

" During a war, everyone is suffering. The people suffer more. If a battle break out in other regions, only the people around the place where the battle takes place get into trouble. But in our Rakhine State, almost all the Rakhine people get into trouble more or less because the roads are closed. We don't know who to blame. War is not good. We want stakeholders to solve political problems with political means. As one of ordinary people, we don't have the ability to speak effectively except thinking and worrying about the future of ourselves and our environment." said a Sittwe resident.

The fighting between the AA and the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State that suspended for almost two years came back in August, 2022.

After that, in consideration of the loss and suffering of the local people in Rakhine State, the two sides agreed to cease fire starting from 26th November 2022.

However, after the AA started fighting police stations and border guard posts in Rathedaung, Kyauktaw and Minpya Townships, battles broke out again.

CNI News

13 November, 2023

Six townships in the Northeastern Command and two townships in the Regional Command Headquarters (Laukkai) area in northern Shan State have been designated as martial law regions, the State Administration Council (SAC) stated on 12th November 2023. 

The two townships in regional command headquarters (Laukkai) are Konkyan and Laukkai townships.

The six townships in the Northeastern Command are Kutkai, Kunlong, Namkham, Muse, Lashio and Theinni. Joint forces from the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, AA and TNLA), the Bamar People Liberation Army (BPLA) and Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF) fought and captured the Tatmadaw's military camps in these regions with an operation named Operation-1027.

Currently, the battles are severely taking place between the two sides and more than 100 Tatmadaw's camps have been captured, revolutionary forces stated.

CNI News
12 November 2023

Reviews and discussions relating to what will be Chinese attitude to the Operation-1027 which the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) is waging in northern Shan State are underway among political and military experts.

With the operation that was launched on 27 the October, battles are severely taking place in northern Shan State near the Chinese border and many IDPs fled to the Chinese side.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance launched their operation only after letting China know, Col.Khun Okka, an EAO leader, CNI News.

While seeing Chinese Special Envoy and Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

" I think they launched the operation only after letting China know. But China won't directly say yes or no. It might tell through Wa..The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) might take part in drafting the operation. That's why China, Wa and KIA might be at the back of the Three Brotherhood Alliance." he said.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance stated that it has already controlled Chin Shwe Haw, Phaung Sai, Theinni and Kyukote (Pangsai) in northern Shan State.

At the same time, Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing said that the Tatmadaw was carrying out to re-open the China-Myanmar border trade and would launch necessary counter-offensives.

It was found that there were common interests between the Three Brotherhood and China, Sai Kyi Zin Soe, a Myanmar political commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing troops participating in the Operation-1027 led by the MNDAA

" Mainly, their statements, their speeches, and their reports on media should be taken into account and there were groups that were committing trans-border crimes before these battles and the groups could not be taken action against effectively reportedly. There are things that are related to the Silk Road Project, the main project of China. Chinese pragmatism should be considered. The Three Brotherhood Alliance stated that they would welcome the implementation of peace process under the Chinese leadership early this year. So the Three Brotherhood Alliance is found to have connections of interests with China more or less." said Sai Kyaw Zin Soe.

China wanted Myanmar to have a stable government and according to its policy, China would not help the Three Brotherhood Alliance, Dr.Aung Myo, a Myanmar political commentator told CNI News.

" The China-Myanmar gas pipeline and fuel pipeline will be more important to China. It will be willing to talk with a stable government of Myanmar only. It won't be willing to talk with many governments such as Kachin government, Rakhine government or Palaung government. It is natural. Because China wants peace, it had offered Myanmar if it would be convenient to use one country two system. It would tell to try the system. But the situation has been less likely to implement the system up to now. So, China doesn't help the Three Brotherhood Alliance." said Dr.Aung Myo.

Myanmar EAOs are being active along the China-Myanmar border and there are a lot of Chinese investments in Myanmar reportedly.

On the other hand, parallel to the Operation-1027, joint forces of KIA, AA, ABSDF and PDF are waging operations in order to capture Tigyaint, Kawlin, Pinlebu, Banmauk, Tamu, Khampat, Homalin and Kalay regions and the battles are severely taking place between the joint forces and the Tatmadaw.

CNI News
12 November 2023

The goods that have been permitted to be exported through the Muse 105 Mile and Chin Shwe Haw border gates will be allowed through other gates, the Ministry of Commerce has stated.

Exporters who have got licenses to export their goods through the Muse 105 Mile and Chin Shwe Haw trade gates will be allowed to use other gates along the China-Myanmar border gates and the Myanmar-Thailand border.

Moreover, those who want to export by sea will be allowed reportedly.

However, Myanmar exporters would use Lweje and Myla, China-Myanmar border gates because other gates are more distant and more delayed, U Thet Zaw, an economic commentator, told CNI News.

While seeing the trucks at a border gate of the two countries

" Myanmar is mainly trading with Yunnan Province. If you export by sea, it will be much more distant. The closest to Yunnan is inland routes in Myanmar. Other provinces don't consume the goods from Myanmar. Yunnan is about the size of Myanmar. Myanmar is meeting the demand of Yunnan Province. So, if you export by sea, China-Myanmar border trade will be weak. Muse 105 Mile has lower transportation costs than other gates. Moreover, you can export goods on a large scale. It is difficult to export on a large scale through Lweje. The cost will be more. If the cost is more, prices will be high." said U Thet Zaw.

The trade value from the China-Myanmar border trade was about 300 million kyats each day in the past. However, because of the current battles, it is believed that a large amount of border trade could be lost.

Importers have been allowed to use other border gates. If they want to import by sea, they will be verified and allowed depending on each case, said in the statement.
If the ministry stated earlier, trader could make preparations, said traders. Currently, watermelon exporters are exporting through Lweje and Myla gates to China.

Lweje-Laiyang trade gate (Photo-Soe Tun)

" Our trucks can't enter the Chines side directly. We have to stop at Myla only where Chinese trucks come and carry our goods. At Lweje, our trucks can enter China. But there is no truck that directly goes to Lweje. We have to change trucks at Bamo. if you export through Lweje or Myla, the cost is higher. But there is a high demand for watermelon in the Chinese market, traders make a profit. At present, the watermelon price is about 20 lakh kyats in Lweje." said Ko Thitsar, a watermelon trader.

The goods imported from China are non-perishable construction materials and other products and although there is a delay on the road, it doesn't affect much to traders. However, because the goods exported from Myanmar are perishable foodstuff and crops, it might affect to traders.

Severe battles have been taking place between the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State since 27th October 2023.

Due to the Operation-1027 waged by the Three Brotherhood Alliance along the Mandalay-Muse Pyidaungsu Road, the China-Myanmar border trade has almost stopped reportedly.

CNI News
11 November 2023

Although all the prices are going up gradually in northern Shan State due to severe battles taking place between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance in northern Shan State, it is convenient for the people from the basic class because philanthropic associations are helping reportedly.

The philanthropic associations in Muse are selling basic foodstuff at a lower price, philanthropic associations told CNI News. At present, the number of donors has decreased for the philanthropic associations and most of associations are carrying out in a self-help manner, an official from the Beautiful Heart Philanthropic Association, told CNI News.

" In spite of being convenient, some people can't come to the place where goods are sold at lower prices. They only buy and eat from the vendors who come in front of the house and sell on motorbikes. Prices are going up. But now the egg price has been stable. When the egg price was going up, the number of the people who imported eggs from the Chinese side has increased. And then the price has decreased. The grassroots were in trouble. In Muse City, motorcycle vendors arrive in every neighborhood. But gasoline price is very high as well." he said.

Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables

Due to the battles between the Tatmadaw and the Three Brotherhood Alliance (AA, MNDAA and TNLA) in northern Shan State, the price of a bag of coarse rice has increased to 1.5 lakh kyats and the price of egg rose to 20,000 to 30,000 kyats for 10 eggs, said Muse residents.

When the commodity prices are high like this, rich people have bought and stored a lot of bags of rice.

Some rice shops sell six pyis of rice per head reportedly.

Moreover, Muse-based Kanlet Ku Nyi Philanthropic Association are selling a bag of rice (24 pyis) at 96,000 kyats, and a viss (3.6 pound) of potato at 1,200 kyats and a viss of tomato at 3,000 kyats and one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats for the grassroots.

So, although the commodity prices are high, it still is convenient a bit for the grassroots, U Htay, chairman of the association told CNI News.

Muse township philanthropic associations are selling vegetables

 " Because the battles have not broken out in Muse as yet, there have been no big difficulties. Our association sells a bag of rice at 96,000 kyats, one pyi of rice at 4,000 kyats and ten eggs at 9,000 kyats. Because we are able to control some commodity prices, we don't have big problems. But phone lines have been cut. There are no battles in Muse, but the Muse residents are worried that the battles will break out. The difficulty is that those who are trapped in Muse want to go home. Those who were coming to Muse are also trapped on the way." he said.

MNDAA and its allies fought the Tatmadaw camps, police stations, township general administration offices and toll gates in Laukkai, Theinni, Muse, Mong Ko, Chin Shwe Haw, Naunghkio and Lashio Townships on 27th October.

The number of local IDPs due to the battles has been by the tens of thousands reportedly.

CNI News
11 November 2023

While implementing an export-based reserve rice storage system, companies that export rice have to sell a bag of rice for reserve rice at the price designated, Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF) has stated.

A bag of rice was collected if a ton of rice was exported in the previous years, At present, not only it is the time when the rice appears plentifully, there also is no domestic demand for rice.

So, one bag per three tons is being bought from the companies exporting rice abroad in order to export more, U Nay Lin Zin, general secretary of the Myanmar Rice Millers Association, told CNI News.

" In the past we collected one bag per ton for reserve rice. But now one bag per three tons is collected because not only now is the export season, the rice also appears abundantly. The reason why we have bought reserve rice is that we have prepared to be able to sell rice to basic workers, the people and government employees at a lower price." he said.

Companies that export rice must deliver 25 percent of reserve rice to designated storage facilities within one week and the remaining 75 percent will be collected when necessary reportedly.

Companies must sell 25 percent of reserve rice that is consistent with designated qualification and standard at 62,000 kyats per bag in November, said in the statement. Myanmar Rice Federation collects reserve rice to help those who find it difficult to buy rice when the price is high due to natural disaster, an official for the Myanmar Rice and Paddy Association, told CNI News.

" MRF has collected reserve rice. It sold the reserve rice to the people at 2,500 kyats per pyi (4.375 pound) when the rice prices were going up a few months ago. MRF collected one bag when one ton was exported in the past. The price was negotiated with the market price. We have collected reserve rice in order to sell the people and the shops when the prices go up." he said.
If more rice is exported, farmers can sell their rice at a higher price. However, if reserve rice storage is reduced and more rice is exported, it probably will be difficult to control the rice market when the domestic rice prices go up due to a certain reason, those working on farmers' affairs said.

Necessary reserve rice should be bought in one go in advance without exercising an export-based reserve rice storage system, pointed out farmers and traders.

CNI News
11 November 2023

The State Administration Council (SAC) stated on 10th November 2023 that a military court sentenced former Lt. Gen Soe Htut to five years in prison for abusing his position and authority.

Former Lt-Gen Soe Htut directed to grant passports when companies asked for help to do business with Myanmar passport service with the green channel system by abusing his position and authority while he was serving as the Minister for Home Affairs.

In addition, because he who received bribes failed to maintain and supervise the actions inconsistent with the financial procedures in the management of the employee welfare fund of the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was charged with relevant criminal law sections and tried by a military court, said in the statement.

After that, he was sentenced to five years in prison. Moreover, those involved in the case of former Lt-Gen Soe Htut are being taken action against at the civilian courts and police officers who had anything to do with the case are being taken action against the police disciplines, the SAC reported.

CNI News
10 November 2023

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) made preparations in the Wa territory after which its main forces entered Chin Shwe Haw through the Namtit Bridge on 27th October 2023 and fought against the Tatmadaw there, said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing, chairman of the State Administration Council.

He said the above at the meeting (3/2023) of the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) on 8th November 2023.

The situations relating to the attacks conducted by the MNDAA and its allies in northern Shan State and the attacks by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Arakan Army (AA) and the People's Defense Force in Sagaing Region were mainly discussed at the meeting.

" MNDAA made preparations in the Wa territory and its main forces entered Chin Shwe Haw through Namtit Bridge and fought against the Tatmadaw there on 27th October 2023. They attacked with drones and used a lot of drone bombs and their operation contained KIA, TNLA, AA and PDF terrorist organizations with MNDAA. Those who are mainly fighting are MNDAA and TNLA." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing at the National Defense and Security Council meeting held on 8th November 2023

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) that has controlled the Wa region and the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) that has controlled Myla Township in eastern Shan State have announced that they would not fight for any side at the battles breaking out in northern Shan State.

MNDAA fought Chin Shwe Haw and at the same time its forces that entered secretly pierced and fought Kunlong. In the same way, TNLA also fought to cut the transportation line with Theinni and fired Lashio. Moreover, TNLA fought to cut the Mandalay-Lashio Road near Naunghkio. While MNDAA was fighting against the Tatmadaw in northern Shan State, KIA also conducted attacks in Kachin State, he said.

"Taking advantage of the situation, PDF terrorist insurgents came and attacked some places of Sagaing Region while the battles were breaking out in northern Shan State.  Together with the PDF terrorist insurgents, KIA and AA also participated in the fighting." said Sr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing.

While seeing Acting President U Myint Swe at the meeting of the National Defense and Security Council held on 8th November 2023

The reasons why the battles were taking place in northern Shan State were because MNDAA wanted to take power in Laukkai region again and TNLA was mainly trying to build Palaung State, said the Tatmadaw.

The Tatmadaw would carry out necessary security measures for the sake of peace, stability, rule of law and the people's lives and properties, said Commander in Chief of the Defense Services.

If the Tatmadaw didn't carry out to the best of its ability in relation to the battles taking place in the border area, the country might break into many small pieces and it was necessary to handle that issue carefully and systematically, said Acting President U Myint Swe.

At present, the Three Brotherhood Alliance (MNDAA, AA and TNLA) have stated that they have captured over 100 military camps of the Tatmadaw in Namkham, Theinni, Muse, Lashio, Naunghkio, Chin Shwe Haw, Kyukote (Pangsaing), Phaung Sai, Mong Ko, Kunlong Townships.

The Tatmadaw also has stated that it has been able to control its camps in northern Shan State and a lot of enemy troops were killed and injured.