Published on April 17, 2023
Political Development
- On April 16, 2023, the National Unity Government (NUG) spokesperson claims they have made significant process since its establishment two years ago amidst numerous challenges.
- On April 12, 2023, the junta justified its deadly attack on Pazigyi Village in Sagaing Region by stating that civilians were killed as they were being coerced to assist “terrorists.”
- On April 10, 2023, the NUG sent its regards to the Arakan Army (AA) on its 14th anniversary and urged for greater collaboration.
- The junta chief approved military spending of around US$ 2.7 billion for the new fiscal year.
- On April 07, 2023, a junta court in Kachin State sentenced 13 KIA/KIO soldiers to five years in prison on unlawful association and terrorism charges.
Situation on the Ground
- As of April 12, 2023, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that 3,240 individuals have been killed. AAPP also said that 21,348 individuals have been arrested and 17,460 individuals are still detained by the Burmese military since the coup.
- The junta conducted an airstrike on a civilian gathering in Pazi Gyi Village in Sagaing Region on April 11, 2023. The airstrike killed 171 people including 38 children as of April 15, 2023.
- Burmese new year celebrations have been affected by bombings and violence taking place in public areas. Several local PDFs have warned the public to stay away from the junta’s public new year celebration pavilion due to the risk of bombing.
- The CNDF killed 11 junta soldiers and captured 14 soldiers in an attack on the junta military camp in Falam Township, Chin State.
International Response
- US State Department Counselor Chollet traveled to Singapore and discussed coordination on Burma issues including US sanctions on Burma.
- On April 16, 2023, the ICJ published an order rejecting the junta’s extension request for a response to the Rohingya genocide trial. The court stated that the junta is not allowed to delay the proceedings “because of its own military coup.”
- On April 12, 2023, Human Rights Watch reported that Thai immigration officials forcibly returned three opposition activists to Burma. The activists were arrested on illegal entry charges in Mae Sot on April 1 and handed over to a junta-aligned Border Guard Force (BGF) on April 04, 2023. One of the three was killed in an attempted escape from the BGF.
- On April 11, 2023, the US, UN, and ASEAN condemned the junta’s airstrike on Pazi Gyi Village in Sagaing which killed more than 170 people. All parties called on the junta to stop further violence against innocent civilians.