March 1
The KNU Brigade 5 issued a warning to the public, urging them to reject the conscription law enforced by the military council to prolong Min Aung Hlaing’s rule. In response to the regime’s announcement of compulsory recruitment, the KNU Brigade 5 has disseminated notices and warnings to inform the public and encourage defiance.
March 2
The Arakan Army (AA) called upon the Muslim community in Rakhine State to rally against the Military Council’s conscription law, aiming to foster a peaceful, progressive, and united nation.
March 3
Trade between Myanmar and Bangladesh, facilitated through the Teknaf port in Bangladesh, is suspended due to the ongoing conflict in Rakhine State.
March 4
The regime announced that Namsan, Mantong, and Namtu cities in northern Shan State, held by the TNLA, were under martial law. Consequently, the Three Brother Alliance (MNDAA, TNLA, AA) released a statement that fighting might start again in northern Shan State.
March 5
A Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) official confirmed plans to break away from the regime’s alliance and operate independently as the Karen National Army (KNA). Major Naing Maung Zaw of the BGF said that all commanders have tentatively agreed to the formation change, with official approval expected to be announced this month following briefings with lower-ranking forces.
March 6
Five individuals, including the rector of Loikaw University in Karenni (Kayah) State, were sentenced to two years in prison and fined 900,000 MMK each by the state court of the Karenni Revolutionary Force under Section 17 (1) of the Unlawful Association Act. The lawsuit was filed by the Karenni State Police (KSP), according to the Karenni State Court.
March 7
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) initiated an offensive targeting regime stations along the Myitkyina-Winemaw highway road. Among these stations was one controlled by U Shwe Min, a prominent Lisu militia leader. During the attack, U Shwe Min attempted to flee the battle, but KIA troops intercepted and assaulted his vehicle, resulting in his death near Aungmyay Village.
February 8
The Japanese government announced additional humanitarian aid for those affected by the military coup in Myanmar. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan stated that the aid would be channeled through various organizations, including the UN and community-based groups.
March 10
Groups affiliated with the regime started gathering names of eligible individuals for military service across the country. The drafting process varies across the country, with administrators in charge of households conducting the recruitment based on their own plans.
March 11
The Arakan Army (AA) has successfully captured Yanbye town. The town is located in Kyauk Phyu District in southern Rakhine State and is the starting point of the China-Myanmar natural gas pipeline. Yanbye became the first achievement of AA in southern Rakhine since the inception of its offensive in November last year. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army reopened two border crossings at Chinshwehaw and Kyu Kot (Pansai) to facilitate the movement of people and resume trade.
March 12
Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) met with U Than Swe, the Foreign Minister of the regime 12 in Nay Pyi Taw and stressed the Myanmar’s continued humanitarian woes and called for the international assistance.
March 13
In a meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, Ambassador U Kyaw Moe Tun, the National Unity Government’s permanent representative to the UN, urged international action to halt the junta’s unlawful recruitment of soldiers in Myanmar. The regime instructed officials at the Rohingya refugee camp in Sittwe to pick up the bodies of 97 Rohingya who died in the battle near Angoo Maw, Yathaytaung Township, Rakhine State. According to the Myanmar-Rohingya Association, the junta is exploiting the Rohingya as human shields in the fighting in Rakhine State.
March 14
The junta’s Colonel Aung Kyaw Soe and about 60 soldiers reportedly surrendered to Brigade 6 of the KNU/KNLA in Kyaikdon, Kyarinseikkyi township, Karen State. The KNLA and its allies initiated a heavy offensive on the previous day to seize the regime’s strategic hill on the Thai-Myanmar border, located 12 miles east of Kyaikdon. In Bago Taungoo District, the junta’s Taungoo Air Base was reportedly attacked by five missiles around 8:45 pm. The Mountain Knights Civilian Defense Force (MKCDF) launched five 107 mm missiles under the supervision of the Brave Warriors for Myanmar (BWM) team inside Taungoo Air Force Base.
March 15
The New Mon Party (Monpyithit) declared its intention to take decisive action against ward and village administrators who enforce the conscription law imposed by the regime. The regime’s village administrators reportedly destroyed roads in the Bago Region, that lead to Naypyitaw via the Yangon-Mandalay expressway. Many speculated that the destruction was intended to cut the resistance forces’ access to Naypyitaw, as per the widely known “All road lead to Naypyitaw” chant.
March 17
The regime forcibly recruited young Muslims from refugee camps in Rakhine State, subjecting them to military training. According to reports from the Arakan Army (AA), regime’s battalions stationed in Rathedaung, northern Rakhine State, were overtaken on March 17, with the discovery of deceased Muslim individuals who had recently undergone compulsory military training, a violation of military service laws.
March 18
It was announced that seven ethnic armed groups, signatories of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), have united to establish the 7 EAO Alliance. The purpose of this alliance is to address the ongoing political crises through political means and work towards the formation of a federal union.
March 19
Mr. Tom Andrews, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Myanmar, called on international actors to show solidarity by taking action including cutting ties with the regime at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva.
March 20
Officials from the Kamayut District Court in Yangon attempted to auction Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s residence on University Avenue Road. Despite their efforts, the auction failed to attract any buyers. No bids were made, prompting the court employee to announce that interested parties could register and purchase application forms, yet still, no buyers emerged.
March 21
Thai authorities repatriated 48 members of the military council who had sought refuge in Thailand back to Myanmar. These individuals, originating from Karen State, had deserted from the regime camp situated near the border between Kyar Inn Seikkyi township and Kawkareik township.
March 23
The Karenni joint forces declared their successful control over seven towns during Operation 1111 along the border between Karenni State and the Shan-Karenni border. This operation, which commenced on November 11, 2023, has spanned over four months, reaching the acquisition of key territories. The towns of Malse, Demoso, Ywarthit, Shartaw, Mawchi, Nanmaekone, and Mobye now fall under the Karenni forces’ control.
March 24
About 50 soldiers led by Major Thant Zin Ko from the Mai Khao Ywar Thit camp in Mansi Township, Kachin State, fled the army camp while the Kachin Independence Army was approaching. KIA managed to seize the station without any firing.
March 25
Laung Lon PDF reported instances of forcible arrests by ward administrators and employees of the military group engaging in militia summoning activities in the Tanintharyi Region. The PDF said it was a violation of human rights and warned the ward administrators against such cooperation. The Arakan Army (AA) issued a statement in Burmese, English, and Chinese, warning foreign investment projects in Rakhine State to collaborate with them. Indonesian authorities announced that they had recovered 11 bodies following the capsizing of a Rohingya boat carrying approximately 150 people off Indonesia’s westernmost coast last week.
March 26
Acting President Duwah Lashila of the National Unity Government emphasized the need for unified efforts until the complete eradication of the junta’s army during the cabinet meeting. Residents reported that the MNDAA and the military, who had a temporary ceasefire earlier this year with China’s mediation, resumed clashes near Lashio, Shan State. The Central Bank, operating under the regime, declared on March 26 the suspension of licenses for six foreign currency businesses in Myanmar, with an additional four businesses suspended for six months.
March 27
Local residents reported clashes along the Myanmar-China border between the regime and the Kachin Liberation Army (KIA), with two artillery shells striking Chinese territory. The Karen National Union (KNU) has condemned the manner in which humanitarian aid, dispatched by the Thai government on March 26 to assist displaced people, was distributed through the Myanmar Red Cross Society, deeming it insensitive to the plight of the people.
March 28
The Russian government’s RIA news agency reported that the Russian and Myanmar armies are set to undertake more than 50 joint military operations in 2024, as disclosed by the Russian Ministry of Defense. Derek Chollet, US foreign affairs adviser, revealed on March 28 that he held discussions with leaders of the three ethnic armed alliances, collectively known as K3C. Chollet conveyed this update on a social networking site, X.
March 29
The military regime commenced its first military training session at the No. 1 Tatmadaw Advanced Training School in Taikkyi Township, Yangon Region.
March 30
The National Unity Government (NUG) issued a statement, announcing the initiation of a public service endeavor aimed at assisting individuals impacted by the military council’s enforced conscription.
