Myanmar Coup Updates for September 13

Subject: Myanmar Coup Updates for September 13

Tatmadaw cracks dow in Magwe, Sagaing, and Chin, threatens to seize property of NUG supporters; opposition forces strike back, especially in Sagaing and Chin; ill ASSK skips court, denies rumors of talks with junta; UNGA opens Tuesday with looming credentials fight; Bangladesh reopens schools, but not for Rohingya

Tatmadaw cracks down in Magwe, Sagaing, and Chin: Perhaps responding to the threat of a north to west no-go zone, the Tatmadaw carried out significant attacks in Magwe, Chin, and Sagaing. Bearing the hallmarks of its brutal four cuts strategy, the Tatmadaw shelled and torched a village near Gangaw (and continued burning houses in several villages in the township through Monday), killing at least 20 villagers, many teenagers (warning: graphic); some fought the Tatmadaw with largely homemade weapons, others killed were apparently innocent civilians. The local PDF claims to have killed 15 troops in response. In neighboring Sagaing, the Tatmadaw torched a village in Myaung as well as some houses and killed three villagers in Kale, torturing all three (including one with apparent mental health issues); another villager was killed in a Tatmadaw raid between Monywa and Chaung-U Townships in Sagaing. The Tatmadaw also launched airstrikes in Chin, where the Chinland Defense Force captured a Tatmadaw outpost and killed 12 troops, and shelled villages in Kayah.

Tatmadaw threatens to seize property of NUG, PDF supporters: The Tatmadaw on Thursday threatened to seize the land of anyone that accommodates NUG and PDF supporters, likely a response to the NUG's declaration of war which called on the public to revolt against military rule and to assist PDFs in their areas.
The opposition strikes back:Opposition forces continued to carry out attacks as well, with some two dozen junta troops killed across the country, 80 cell phone towers destroyed (including completely knocking out military-controlled MyTel service in Chin State), and administrators killed in Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Yangon, and Naypyidaw, while also killing alleged informants in Sagaing and Tanintharyi. Ethnic armed groups also took Tatmadaw outposts in Bago and in Chin.
Children held hostage, join the fight against the Tatmadaw:An image of two IDP boys in Kayah, bound and showing signs of torture, spread widely on social media; the picture shows them giving the three finger salute, allegedly just before they were killed by the Tatmadaw. Half a dozen children are among more than 130 being held hostage by the Tatmadaw, detained because they are relatives of wanted activists. Reflecting a generational shift, youth have been at the forefront of the opposition to the coup, including many that have joined the armed resistance. The NUG's declaration of war is likely to increase the ranks of child soldiers among both opposition forces, with youth champing at the bit to join, and the Tatmadaw, which is struggling to recruit. As one youth put it, "We are more afraid of losing our future than we are of the military.

COVID update: With the NUG's declaration of a "defensive people's war" COVID has fallen somewhat from the headlines. But Myanmar continues to report some 2,000 cases a day on a positivity rate of a bit under 10%. And with the junta's ambitious goal of vaccinating half the population by the end of the year, it welcomed the arrival of 4 million purchased vaccine doses in Yangon from China.
Sick ASSK skips court appearance: Aung San Suu Kyi had to cancel her court appearance Monday after falling ill, apparently getting car sick on the way to court. She nonetheless had the opportunity to meet with her lawyers and denied rumors of back-door talks with the junta.
PPST still supports NCA, but calls for transfer of power: The Peace Process Steering Team, comprised of the 10 signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (and thus, more amenable to negotiating with the Tatmadaw) released a statement after a two-day meeting suggesting they still believe in the NCA, but also called for the unconditional release of those arrested, the establishment of a federal democratic union, and the transfer of power to civilian leaders.

Tatmadaw porter killed in EAO attack: In an indication of the danger faced by civilians forced to porter for the Tatmadaw, a driver was killed in an attack by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army.

Myanmar kyat continues to devalue versus US dollar: The market rate for Myanmar kyat plunged further to more than 2000 kyat per dollar, a 50% devaluation since the coup.

Tatmadaw plans auction of hardwoods: Hurting for funds, the Myanmar Timber Enterprise, which is sanctioned by the US, EU, and UK, plans to auction 12,000 tons of timber in the second half of September, through which it could raise several million dollars.

International response

Deferral of decision remains most likely outcome in UNGA credential fight: Ahead of the opening of the UN General Assembly on Tuesday and amid a battle between the Tatmadaw and the NUG over recognition, a deferred decision that keeps NUG-supporting Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun in place remains the most likely outcome. Nonetheless, pro-NUG protests were held across Myanmar (see Khit Thit's Twitter thread for some of the weekend's protests) and also marched in San Francisco and on the UN in New York; the NUG released a statement calling for recognition; 300+ civil society groups called for Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun to retain his seat, and a dozen legal scholars issued a legal opinion urging the UN Credentials Committee to give Myanmar's UN seat to the NUG. The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand also hosted an event on the credentials battle featuring the UN Special Envoy and several analysts; Richard Horsey argued that while the credentials battle has received a lot of attention, the decision is largely symbolic and won't significantly materially impact the situation on the ground.
Myanmar refugees vulnerable in Thailand: An unknown number of Myanmar refugees are in hiding in Thailand without protection and amid reports that Thai police are under orders to arrest NUG members and supporters.
UN Human Rights Council opens: The 48th session of the UN Human Rights Council opened on Monday, with the head of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar presented its annual report to the Council; Nick Koumjian noted that serious crimes and violations of international law continue to be committed in Myanmar. Though Myanmar will not be represented and its Universal Periodic Review will again be postponed, the UN Human Rights Chief and UN Special Rapporteur will present to the Council next week.

Bangladesh reopens schools, but not for Rohingya: Bangladesh reopened its public schools on Sunday after an 18 month hiatus and, while it has eased some restrictions for the Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, temporary learning centers remain closed, as they have been since May 2020.

More Rohingya detained fleeing Bhasan Char:In two separate incidents, eleven more Rohingya were detained while fleeing from Bhasan Char; hundreds have fled the island over the past five months, a proxy indicator for Rohingya dissatisfaction respect for their rights and access to services and income opportunities.

Steve Ross

Senior Advisor and Program Director
Richardson Center for Global Engagement