28th-29th May, 2021#day117 #day118

 

The National Unity Government (NUG) is organizing online courses for students who have boycotted attending universities under the military regime. More than 1,000 students have taken part in an online course for final year medical students today, according to Mizzima. This course is conducted by Myanmar medical consultants in the UK and International Myanmar Medical Diaspora. The NUG announced the launch of Virtual Federal University a few days ago. A group of volunteers also announced the launch of Spring University Myanmar (SUM) on 25 May. These free courses will last for five to six weeks and will cover a wide range of topics, including law, social sciences, teacher training and computer science. 

The Chin National Front (CNF) which based on the India-Myanmar border signed an alliance agreement with the NUG today, becoming the first ethnic armed organization to do so. According to the NUG social media site, the agreement includes mutual recognition and mutual respect and sets visions to fight dictatorship and to establish a federal democracy nation. The Burma Associated Press reports that the CNF may be backing groups fighting against the junta troops in Chin State.

NUG released a video of the graduation ceremony of Batch (1) of People's Defence Force. The NUG’s According to the content of the video, about 150 people completed the military training. However, there are speculations on social media that the actual number of graduates may be much higher. The junta designated the NUG, CRPH, and PDF as terrorist organizations. Following the assassination of its Belin Township party chairman on 27 May, the USDP announced that it would exercise its full right to self-defence if the rule of law is unreliable. Netizens mocked this statement as the USDP is backed by the junta and associate with criminals and extremist nationalists.

An unidentified armed group attacked the junta troops in Yangon’s Thaketa Township last night at around 7 pm. Residents told Khit Thit Media that the junta troops stationing inside the pagoda compound was attacked by gunfire and bombs. Number of casualties are still unknown. Khit Thit Media reports that a local administrator in Nanattaw ward was shot dead on 29 May in Loikaw, a town where Karenni PDF and the junta council troops have been fighting incessantly. The BBC reports that the junta has closed road entrance at Loikaw since yesterday. A military patrol car in Hlaing Tharyar and a traffic police station in Kyimyindaing were attacked by bombs today, locals told the BBC. 

Nine ASEAN countries except Myanmar are advocating to drop a U.N General Assembly draft resolution on a global arms embargo on Myanmar. This resolution is drafted by Liechtenstein and supported by many western countries including USA and Japan. It is not legally binding but carry political weight, Reuters reported. Many protesters and politicians have condemned ASEAN's action and criticized ASEAN for failing to provide any support to people of Myanmar.