The Karen National Union (KNU), one of the largest ethnic armed groups to have signed the government’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), has called on the Myanmar army to stop building roads that connect four districts in their home state. The KNU released a statement calling for an end to construction of the road, which connects the areas of Papun, Nyaunglaybin, Toungoo and Thaton, according to an article in The Irrawaddy. “What we understand is that [the Tatmadaw] are building this road to improve their access to the area,” Saw Thu Kabi, a spokesperson for KNU’s Toungoo chapter, was quoted as saying. The KNU said it believes that the Tatmadaw is building the road for military purposes, and that local residents are distrustful of it. After decades of intense fighting, the KNU signed the NCA with the Myanmar government in 2015. However, there have been some clashes between the group and the Myanmar army, including over tensions related to the road, which is close to several KNU bases. The KNU recently said it is temporarily halting its involvement in the peace process, although it is open to negotiations.
Upcoming Events
- No events
- all events
Highlights
Terminals, ports, logistics, liner operations disrupted
German containerline Hapag Lloyd has announced a decision to temporarily suspend cargo bookings into Myanmar …Facebook, Instagram ban military and related pages with immediate effect
In a February 24th update to its February 11th statement, Facebook through its Director of …Luxury Japanese real-estate complex called out for funding military
Despite distancing itself from other major Western states imposing sanctions on military-linked individuals and entities, …
Myanmar in the Media
- UN chief, pope call for nations to end the use of antipersonnel land minesSource: Voice of America East AsiaNovember 25, 202417 hours ago
- Foreigners flee Myanmar scam gang into Thailand’s Mae SotSource: Bangkok Post Recent StoriesNovember 25, 202418 hours ago
- 29 illegal migrants found crammed inside pickup boxSource: Bangkok Post Recent StoriesNovember 23, 20243 days ago
- UN expert: Myanmar’s military ramps up attacks including beheadings, rapes and tortureSource: Voice of America East AsiaNovember 23, 20243 days ago
Thura NewsViews
Myanmar’s most widely read newsletter on the country’s politics, economy and businesses brought to you by Thura Swiss