4th-5th September, 2021

 

The Karen National Union issued a three-point statement on 4 September, stating that it would cooperate with any group that opposes the military dictatorship and protect anyone seeking shelter in its controlled area, and urge people to fight for freedom and justice. On the same day, the three-brotherhood alliance, AA, TNLA and MNDAA issued a statement calling on all parties to stop military operations to alleviate the plight of the people affected by the deadly Covid pandemic.

In an interview with Kyodo News, ASEAN Special Envoy to Myanmar Erywan Yusof called for a four-month ceasefire to ensure the safe delivery of the first batch of humanitarian assistance into the country. He told Reuters he had been negotiating with the junta to visit Myanmar and meet with Aung San Suu Kyi.

A group of youths were arrested on 14 August for allegedly assassinating five policemen on a Yangon City Railway and stealing weapons, according to a junta news report released on 5 September. Netizens wrote that young people need to be careful when interacting with the media, as many believed that their interview with Myanmar Now about their operation led to their arrests.

Khit Thit reports that three junta troops were killed when an unidentified armed group opened fire on a state government office in Hakha, Chin State, on the night of 4 September. Mizzima reports that the junta has sentenced five residents of Mindat, Chin State, to 3 to 20 years in prison.

From 1 February to 31 August, more than 60 clashes took place in Kayah (Karenni) State, with 124 locals arrested and 83 killed by the junta troops, according to the Progressive Karenni People Force. Five churches and 243 houses were also destroyed. Activists advocating for the disabilities told the BBC that nearly 10 people with disabilities had been killed and nearly 30 arrested since the coup.

The Irrawaddy reports that NUG will soon announce a budget of up to $ 700 million. The money will be kept in foreign accounts, and it will be used primarily for humanitarian assistances, Covid-19 prevention, striking workers, and its domestic and international operations. The junta will transfer injured army officers to civilian positions in different ministries, the junta-controlled newspaper said on 3 September. According to the BBC, 73 army officers have been handed over to ministries since 2017.