January 1
The regime has announced the promulgation of a new cybersecurity law. The new cybersecurity law, consisting of 16 chapters and 88 sections, is a law with many sections designed to oppress users rather than serve the public good.
Source: Myanmar Now
The National Unity Government (NUG) has announced the amnesty of 169 prisoners and detainees held for crimes in various prisons in areas under its control.
Source: Myanmar Now
Duwa Lashila, the interim president of the NUG urged for the return of ministers and government officials who are currently abroad to return to Myanmar, in his New Year’s address.
Source: DVB
January 2
Indian news reports say that the construction of a nearly six-mile-long India-Myanmar border fence project in Moreh, Manipur, India, has been completed.
Source: RFA
The Central Bank of the regime sold more than 2.4 million Thai baht for 25 million US dollars. The Central Bank sold around 2.5 million US dollars at a rate of 3,588 kyats per dollar, and around 2.5 million Thai baht at an exchange rate of 129.90 kyats per Thai baht, according to the Central Bank.
Source: DVB
January 3
Myanmar artists and activists in the United States have joined forces to protest China’s interference in Myanmar’s internal affairs in front of the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC.
Source: RFA
January 4
The regime issued an order, granting amnesty to 5,864 prisoners and detainees held across the country to commemorate the 77th anniversary of independence. Included was the NLD’s Kachin Regional Minister Dr. Khet Aung, among 600 political prisoners.
Source: RFA
Min Aung Hlaing pledged to continue working to hold an orderly, fair, and dignified general election and to hand over state responsibilities to the government that emerges from the election. He made the remarks in a message sent to mark Independence Day.
Source: DVB
The National Unity Government (NUG) and the Ministry of Defense announced that ethnic armed groups and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) have taken control of 144 townships across the country.
Source: RFA
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Independence Day for an end to violence in Myanmar and the release of those who have been unjustly detained.
Source: RFA
January 5
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has declared January 5, 2024, the day it finally captured the Laukkai military base in northern Shan State during Operation 1027, as Restoration Day.
Source: RFA
January 6
The US Department of Industry and Security has added MyTel, a telecommunications operator owned by a Myanmar military-owned conglomerate, to a sanctions list.
Source: Myanmar Now
All six Russian-made Su-30 SME fighter jets ordered by Myanmar have been delivered to the country, according to the Army Recognition Group, which reports on global military news.
Source: RFA
January 7
NUG Chief Minister Mahn Win Khaing Than urged the National Unity Government (NUG) to implement reforms quickly by 2025 at a NUG cabinet meeting.
Source: RFA
The regime leaders, who are targeting civilians, do not yet have a policy to peacefully resolve political issues through dialogue, Arakan Army (AA) spokesman Khaing Thukha told DVB.
Source: DVB
January 8
The village of Kyauk Ni Maw on Rambre Island, the beginning of the China-Myanmar natural gas pipeline was bombed by the regime’s jets killing 41 people and injuring many others, including children.
Source: Myanmar Now
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Kachin Provincial Defense Force (KPDF) have taken full control of Mansi town, near the China-Myanmar border in the southern tip of Kachin State, after a month-long battle.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 9
Burma Campaign UK welcomed a decision by the USA to sanction Mytel, and urged the EU and UK to follow the same.
Source: RFA
January 10
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has announced that the current time is a good time for the ethnic revolutionary forces and spring revolution forces, which are fighting against the military council, to accelerate their revolution and achieve victory.
Source: RFA
The regime leader sent a message on the 77th anniversary of Kachin State Day, which was led by the military council, to organize political negotiations to resolve political issues.
Source: DVB
January 12
Rakhine-Bangladesh trade resumes, goods shipped directly from Maungdaw. A cargo boat departing from Maungdaw, Rakhine State, which is under the control of the Arakan Army (AA), arrived at the Teknaf port in Bangladesh and unloaded its cargo, according to the Bangladesh-based Dhaka Tribune.
Source: DVB
January 14
The seven ethnic armed organizations (7 EAO Alliance) have announced that they have discussed the need for inclusive political dialogue and the expansion of the domestic political framework. These groups include the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), New Mon State Party (NMSP), Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), Lahu Democratic Union (LDU), Karen Democratic Benevolent Army (DKBA), and Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC).
Source: RFA
January 15
In a message sent on Kayah State Day, military leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said that some foreign countries are directly or indirectly encouraging armed attacks in the internal conflict.
Source: RFA
Following the revelations of Chinese nationals being lured and forced into money laundering operations in Myanmar, which borders Thailand, the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) met with Chinese businessmen in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, and the two Karen forces held urgent discussions on human trafficking, money laundering, and cross-border criminal activities.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 16
The South Korean Ministry of Justice announced that it will extend the visas of Myanmar citizens whose passports have expired in South Korea. The statement also said that the order for Myanmar citizens to leave South Korea has been postponed until the situation in Myanmar stabilizes.
Source: RFA
Representatives from the regime and the Kokang National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) held their second peace talks in Kunming, China.
Source: RFA
January 17
The Indian Embassy in Myanmar, based in Yangon, reported that Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Abhay Thakur visited Sittwe to review the Kaladan project being carried out by the Indian government in Rakhine State.
Source: RFA
January 19
Othman Hashim has been appointed as ASEAN’s new special representative for Myanmar, the Malaysian foreign minister has said. Othman will be ASEAN’s fifth special representative for Myanmar since the military coup.
Source: RFA
January 20
Reuters reported, citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry, that the regime and the Kokang National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have signed a ceasefire agreement. The details of what they agreed on were not disclosed.
Source: RFA
January 21
The acting president of the National Unity Government (NUG), Duwa Lashila, has welcomed the ASEAN member states’ for an immediate ceasefire and the start of talks, rather than prioritizing the regime’s election.
Source: RFA
Military newspapers reported that the development of the special economic zone in southern Myanmar was discussed during a meeting between the Tanintharyi Region Chief Minister and the Russian Ambassador.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 22
The TNLA reported that eight civilians were killed in an airstrike by the military council on Naung Cho town in northern Shan State, an area controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), at around 11 a.m., the TNLA said.
Source: Myanmar Now
The Arakan Army (AA) admitted that its soldiers tortured and killed two prisoners of war, and said it would take steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 23
The regime has approved a restriction in the Civil Service Regulations that prohibits all young men who are healthy and of age to serve in the military from traveling abroad without permission.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 24
Media controlled by the regime reported that political parties discussed the proposal to increase the number of military personnel at a meeting with the military council’s the National Solidarity and Peace-Making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC).
Source: RFA
The head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar (IIMM), a UN investigative mechanism, said that it will investigate all perpetrators of serious crimes, regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation.
Source: DVB
January 25
The Customs Department under the military regime announced that, starting January 25, 2025, import and export duties will be recalculated and collected based on the reference rate issued by the Central Bank. This revision follows a policy change made over three weeks earlier, when the Central Bank shifted its online market price calculation from the reference rate to the market trading rate for import and export duties.
Source: DVB
January 29
According to a report by the activist group Justice For Myanmar, Singapore-listed company Interra Resources has supplied over 2 million barrels of oil, valued at more than $150 million, to the Myanmar military for fuel production over the past three years.
Source: Myanmar Now
January 30
MandalayPDF reported that the regime’s air force bombed the township public hospital in Sint Ku, Mandalay Region, at around midnight. The attack caused severe damage to the buildings, but there were no casualties as the facility was unoccupied at the time.
Source: DVB
Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, called on the UN and the international community to reject the sham elections planned by the military council. Following a closed-door UN Security Council meeting on the Myanmar crisis, he urged global leaders to “save the lives and future of the Burmese people.”
Source: DVB
January 31
Min Aung Hlaing convened a National Defense and Security Council meeting in Nay Pyi Taw in the morning, where the military regime extended its state of emergency for another six months, prolonging its hold on power.
Source: DVB
The US government has suspended funding for Myanmar education, impacting students with scholarships abroad. US President Donald Trump announced at a White House press conference that $45 million in scholarships would be cut.
Source: DVB
According to local sources, at least nine people, including children, were killed and more than 30 were injured when the military bombed a rural health clinic and a school in southern Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, in the evening.
Source: DVB
