January 1
In Ye township, Mon state, drones targeted LIB 591 and LIB 583 of the regime’s forces the junta army, resulting in the death of three soldiers from the YGF-League Guerrilla Army (Dona Line Division-3) by small arms fire.
January 2
The regime’s artillery struck Kawlin town, which was under the control of the NUG, in Sagaing Region, resulting in civilian casualties. Forces stationed in Wuntho Town fired at least six artillery rounds, targeting Kawlin East Market, claiming the lives of six individuals and injuring two others.
January 3
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) issued a statement declaring that their forces successfully shot down a military helicopter belonging to the junta in Winmaw township, Kachin state. The Russian-made Mi-17 helicopter was targeted while en route to reinforce troops stationed near Narphawt Station, situated close to Laizar, which serves as the headquarters of KIA. U Ye Wa Ta, a monk and member of the Mandalay Sanga Union, was apprehended by the regime’s soldiers at Myinwunmingyi Monastery in Mahaaungmyay township, Mandalay. The soldiers conducted a raid on the monastery using four trucks to locate him.
January 4
To mark the Independence Day, the regime pardoned about 9652 prisoners including some political prisoners from prisoners across the country. A total of 114
Foreigner inmates were also released and deported to their respective countries.
January 5
The flag of the United Wa State Army (UWSA), was seen rising in Hopang town after the Three Brotherhood Alliance seized the town as part of Operation 1027 which raised questions on the Wa’s involvement.
Sun Weidong, China’s deputy minister for foreign affairs, visited Naypyitaw and held a meeting with coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to discuss the stability in border areas. The Chinese official came after the news had broken about heavy artillery from Laukkai clashes falling into China’s side and injuring Chinese citizens.
January 6
Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing held a meeting with leaders from political parties in Naypyitaw to discuss the upcoming election where he reiterated the regime’s goal to transfer power to election winne
January 9
Alounkeo Kittikhoun, a veteran diplomat from Laos, is slated to assume the role of the special envoy to Myanmar after serving as a former minister in the prime minister’s office.
January 10
TNLA released a video on their YouTube channel on January 10, featuring Brigadier General Min Min Tun, a high-ranking prisoner of war, captured during Operation 1027. The 48-year-old former commander of Infantry Division 101, based in Pakokku, Magway, was arrested by the TNLA on December 15 during the battle to capture Namsan.
January 11
Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win, President of the Karen National Union (KNU), emphasized that armed struggle remains the sole recourse to dismantle the military regime, and requested all ethnic groups and civilians to cooperate together to fight against the junta.
January 12
UNOCHA issued a new update, stating that more than 2.6 million people in Myanmar have been displaced from their homes by the end of 2023. The report specified that an estimated 628,000 people have been displaced due to intensified clashes that broke out in October 2023.
Following the surrender of Laukkai Regional Operation Command, six brigadier generals who led the Laukkai ROC were transported to Lashio, and they have been detained in Northeastern Regional Command. On January 12, news circulated that the military tribunal plans to prosecute the six brigadier generals.
January 14
The junta’s military reportedly set fire to over 100 houses in the rural area of Paungde township, located in the western part of Bago Region. According to local revolutionaries, a 50-member column from LID 66 arrived and burned down 33 houses in Mau Kwin village, as well as 72 houses in Taung Khamauk village.
January 15
The working committee announced that the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) Congress will be held from January 20 to 23. The Congress will be chaired by CDM professors, representatives from labor organizations, chairperson of Pa-O National Federal Council Khun Myint Tun, Dr Zaw Wai Soe and Dr Thein Oo from the NUG.
January 16
Military supporters including ultranationalist Ma-Ba-Tha monks staged a protest calling junta chief Min Aung Hlaing to resign and to be replaced with deputy chief Soe Win in Pyin Oo Lwin. The protest was led by a second generation of Ma-Ba-Tha monks, and protesters demand coup leader Min Aung Hlaing to leave the military and to take a minister position in the government.
In the ongoing battle in Namphatka village, Kut Khaing Township, Northern Shan State, KIA successfully shot down a regime jet fighter as confirmed by a KIA spokesperson.
January 18
Major General AKM Nazmul Hasan, Director-General of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), paid a visit to Bangladesh’s borders with Rakhine state. During his visit, he instructed border guard units to check the defense systems and to remain vigilant for any illegal activity.
Thailand agreed with the military council to provide humanitarian aid for displaced people according to Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister Parnpree Bahiddha Nukara.
January 19
Pauktaw, situated near the Rakhine State’s capital Sittwe, was reportedly captured by the AA according to local residents. The conflict in the area originated from an AA attack on a police station on November 15, 2023, leading to prolonged fighting.
Fierce fighting was reportedly escalating in Momeik Town, Northern Shan state where the regime’s forces imposed blockades by closing the Momeik Bridge and city entrances and exits, as reported by residents. Residents were attempting to break out of the city.
January 20
Locals reported that Abbot U Wayama, the secretary of the Sangha Union in Mataya township, Mandalay region, passed away while undergoing treatment for injuries sustained after being arrested and interrogated by the regime’s forces. The 70-year-old abbot, known for his kindness, was arrested in his monastery in Htanpinkone village on November 12, 2023.
January 21
KIA reported that they successfully attacked and seized a regime outpost near Manwengyi village in Mansi Township, Kachin State. The joint forces of the KIA conducted a three-day assault from January 19 to 21, resulting in the capture of 30 junta soldiers including a deputy battalion commander.
January 22
The NUG announced that the military council suffered a severe defeat, losing control of hundreds of military outposts in the conflicts confronted by ethnic armed groups and resistance forces. Due to its defeat, the military council used chemical weapons in its offensives in Shan-North. The statement also said that the people’s revolution has taken a different turn in late 2023 and that anti-regime forces have gained control of border trade in border areas with China, India and Thailand.
January 23
UNHCR issued a statement which stated that at least 569 Rohingya people were either lost or died in Southeast Asian waters while they fled Myanmar or Bangladesh by boats. The UN refugee agency also flagged the need for urgent action by the international community to address this situation.
January 24
The Three Brotherhood Alliance issued a statement and said that the military regime has been violating the Haigan Agreement which was reached to ceasefire in Northern Shan state. The statement highlighted that the regime launched an attack in Mupan district with two of its columns resulting in one death from the MNDAA side.
January 25
Chinese embassy in Myanmar announced that its ambassador Mr. Chen Hai held a meeting with the regime-appointed Deputy Foreign Minister U Than Swe in Naypyitaw. The meeting was also joined by Lt General Tun Tun Naung from the Ministry of Border Affairs and U Aung Naing Oo from the Union Government Office.
January 26
Coup leader Min Aung Hlaing said that self-administration must be approved by the parliament in a security meeting held in Naypyitaw. He emphasized that some demanded self-administration and self-determination outside of the legal system, but self-administration cannot be obtained with armed resistance.
January 27
The Karen National Union (KNU) announced that the regime troops abandoned three military camps, including Htinshuutaung camp, Busakhi camp, and Theemupawsoe camp, which were located in territories controlled by the KNU for 28 years in Taungoo District, Bago.
January 28
The Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF) announced that joint forces had successfully taken control of Mawchi town in Farsaung township in Karenni State. According to a KNDF official, the regime troops from various camps and checkpoints in the Mawchi region withdrew without any fighting.
January 29
The Southern Regional Command of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) confirmed that a military council helicopter was shot down in Thingan Nyi Naung, killing about five soldiers including Brigadier General Aye Min Naung, the commander of the LID 44.
January 30
A Thai court released Tun Min Latt, a Myanmar businessman closely associated with the military junta, of multiple charges, including drug trafficking, money laundering, and transnational crime. Tun Min Latt, 54, along with three others, was cleared of 32 suspected violations, including drug trafficking and related charges. The presiding judge stated that the evidence presented by the police was insufficient to demonstrate any wrongdoing, leading to the acquittal.
January 31
The regime handed over six alleged online scam bosses to China.
NUG, CNF, KNPP and KNU released the joint statement with five objectives, envisioning the establishment of a federal democratic union.
