Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar (01-02-2026 to 15-02-2026)

Bi-weekly Update on the Current Situation in Myanmar

(01-02-2026 to 15-02-2026)

Over (60) months ago, on 1 February 2021, the military junta attempted an illegal coup, toppled the elected civilian government, and unlawfully detained State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint, and other senior members of the civilian government, parliamentarians and activists. Since then, the military junta has ignored the will of the people of Myanmar, placed the country in turmoil, and made people suffer tremendously as a result of its inhumane and disproportionate acts.

Over 3.6 million people are being displaced. Almost 22 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Among them, over 10.4 million are women and girls, and over 6.3 million are children. 116,897 houses were burned down throughout Myanmar since the illegal coup until the end of 31 of May 2025, according to Data for Myanmar.

According to the UNDP, 49.7 % of the population in Myanmar was living under the national poverty line in 2023. Again, its report in June 2025 revealed that even in Myanmar’s commercial hub, Yangon, nearly half of the city’s population lives in poverty, and the economic collapse, displacement, and inadequate services are pushing more families into poverty every day.

Moreover, due to the complete dismantle of rule of law by the junta, transnational organized crimes including online scam, drug and human trafficking are rising across the country and generating security implication to the region and beyond.

Unfortunately, the suffering of the people has been compounded by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake which struck Myanmar on 28 March. Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region and Nay Pyi Taw were among the hardest hits. Due to the earthquake, almost 4,200 people killed, over 3,680 people injured. Over 3.2 million people were affected. Infrastructures as well as houses and religious facilities were severely destroyed.

According to the data collected by AAPP, from 1 January to 15 February 2026, the junta killed (21) people in total in Rakhine State alone; (11) women and (10) men, including (3) children under the age of 18. The youngest recorded death was a two-month-old boy. These are the numbers that have been verified. Among these deaths, (15) people were killed by the junta’s airstrikes marking the highest cause of death. The other (6) individuals were killed by the junta’s artillery strikes.  

According to the same source, from 1 January to 15 February 2026, (22) children in total under the age of 18; (11) girls and (11) boys, were killed by the junta across the country, including a two-month-old boy. The identities of these victims have been verified. Among them, Sagaing Region and Magway Region recorded the highest number of deaths, totaling (6). Moreover, among the (22) deceased, (19) people were killed by the junta’s airstrikes, recording the highest cause of death.

Amidst such suffering, the military junta has continued carrying out of atrocities, aerial and artillery attacks across the country.

War Crimes, Crimes against Humanity and Mass Murders Committed by the Military Junta

Military Junta Airstrike Targets Monastery Sheltering Displaced Civilians in Sagaing Region, Killing Six

On morning of 5 February 2026, the military junta launched an aerial attack on a Buddhist monastery in Thit Say Gone Village, Taze Township, Shwebo District, Sagaing Region, where internally displaced persons (IDPs) were taking refuge, according to a report by the National Unity Government's Ministry of Human Rights.

Two jet fighters from the Tada-U Airbase carried out the attack, dropping four 300-pound bombs and firing rockets at the monastery. Approximately 15 minutes after the initial strike, a third aircraft arrived and conducted a follow-up attack on the same location.

The strikes killed a total of six people, including one novice, one man and three women who died instantly at the scene. Another man later succumbed to his injuries while receiving medical treatment. Five men sustained injuries during the attacks, with detailed information on the casualties currently being verified. Some of the deceased were dismembered due to the force of the blast. The victims included a 15-year-old novice and civilians ranging from 20 to over 60 years of age.

In addition, one novice who was resting on the upper floor of the monastery building at the time of the airstrike remains missing and has not been located.

The airstrikes caused significant destruction to civilian and religious infrastructure, including one monastery building, a school building, three motor vehicles and six motorcycles.

The deliberate targeting of a Buddhist monastery sheltering internally displaced persons who had already been forced from their homes by conflict constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Monasteries and religious sites are afforded special protection under the laws of armed conflict, and the targeting of displaced civilians taking refuge in such a location amount to a war crime. The deployment of multiple aircraft dropping heavy ordnance on a known civilian shelter further demonstrates the military junta's systematic disregard for the principles of distinction and proportionality enshrined in international humanitarian law.

Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Seven Civilians Including Infant in Rakhine State

The military junta launched deadly airstrikes on Kyauktaw and Mrauk-U townships in Rakhine State on 12 February, killing seven civilians including a two-month-old infant and wounding sixteen others, the Arakan Army (AA) reported on 13 February.

The first airstrike hit Pitetal Ward in Kyauktaw Township at 9:11 pm, killing four civilians identified as Daw Ma Saw Hla, Daw Aye Nu, U Nyi Chey and Maung Oo San Win. Nine other civilians were injured in the attack.

Minutes later, at 9:20 pm, two additional bombs struck a displacement camp in Middle Market Ward, Mrauk-U Township, killing two-month-old Maung Aung Lin Hein along with his parents, U Aung Lin and Daw Thandar Soe. Seven other residents of the camp were wounded in the bombing. Four of the injured are reported to be in critical condition, according to the AA statement.

The targeting of a displacement camp sheltering civilians who had already been forced from their homes by conflict constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilian populations and displaced persons during armed conflict.

In a separate incident, an airstrike on Ward No. 3 in Thandwe Township on 8 February injured two people and destroyed nine homes, the AA reported.

The AA warned that the military junta has intensified its aerial campaign in Rakhine State in recent days, deploying two or more jet fighters alongside reconnaissance aircraft in coordinated operations. The group urged residents to remain vigilant against potential threats from both air and sea.

Military Junta Airstrikes Target Civilian Areas in Sagaing Region Amid Absence of Ground Fighting

The military junta carried out a series of airstrikes on Myaung and Tabayin townships in Sagaing Region on 11 February, resulting in civilian injuries and significant property damage despite the absence of active ground fighting in the targeted areas.

In Myaung Township, the military junta launched two separate attacks on Zayatkone Village. The first strike injured a woman and damaged several houses. In the second raid, carried out using gyrocopters, one person suffered a thigh injury and another sustained a head injury. Ko Nwe Oo, head of the Myaung Township People's Defence and Security Group, reported that two houses were completely destroyed while seven others were damaged by shrapnel. One cow was also killed and four others injured in the strikes.

Ko Nwe Oo confirmed that there had been no fighting in or around Zayatkone Village at the time of the attacks, stating that the military junta had deliberately targeted civilians. The deliberate targeting of civilian populations in the absence of military operations constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, which strictly prohibits attacks on non-combatants and civilian infrastructure.

In a separate incident on the same day, two fighter jets bombed Bokehtan Village in western Tabayin Township, destroying at least four houses. Ko Gyi Phyo of the Tabayin Township Brotherhood Group reported that the village has been targeted by airstrikes four times this year alone. Residents of Bokehtan are currently sheltering in temporary locations due to ongoing airstrike threats.

Military Junta Airstrikes Kill Five Civilians at Grocery Store in Pauk Township

Two military junta jet fighters from Magway Air Base bombed Chet Kan village in southeastern Pauk Township on the morning of 10 February, killing five civilians and seriously injuring six others, Mizzima reported.

The strike, which occurred at approximately 10:48 am, directly hit a local grocery store, killing the shop owner and several customers instantly. Among the deceased were four women aged between 16 and 54 and a 19-year-old man. A humanitarian aid coordinator in Pauk Township told Mizzima that two jet fighters dropped bombs and one directly struck the grocery store, killing those inside on the spot while six others sustained serious injuries.

Local sources reported that the airstrikes followed the return of prisoners of war captured by resistance columns and Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) police officers to the military junta's Defence Equipment Factory No. 22 (Ka Pa Sa 22) in Seikphyu Township. Shortly after their return, the areas where they had previously been held or active were bombed, suggesting a pattern of retaliatory targeting by the military junta.

Later on the evening of the same day, the military junta carried out another aerial attack using a jet fighter. With surveillance drones continuing to operate overhead, most residents fled their homes and are now sheltering in nearby forests and farmlands.

More than 25,000 people from 52 villages in Pauk Township are currently facing long-term displacement as a result of operations by a military junta column of approximately 300 troops in the area. The ongoing situation has led to severe food shortages and growing humanitarian needs among the displaced population.

The deliberate bombing of civilian infrastructure, including a grocery store frequented by ordinary residents, and the targeting of areas following the release of prisoners of war represent serious violations of international humanitarian law, which strictly prohibits attacks on civilian objects and the collective punishment of civilian populations.

Military Junta Forces Burn Down 17 Villages in Myingyan and Natogyi Townships, Displacing Tens of Thousands

Military junta forces have burned down at least 17 villages in Myingyan and Natogyi townships between 4 and 8 February, forcing tens of thousands of residents to flee without food or shelter, Mizzima reported.

Local humanitarian groups reported that the destruction occurred despite the absence of active clashes in the area, with military junta troops systematically targeting civilian communities. A member of the Myingyan Township humanitarian relief group told Mizzima that the military junta is burning villages continuously without any fighting taking place, while airstrikes are simultaneously ongoing in aeras of Natogyi and Taungtha towns. He added that entire villages are going up in flames and the exact number of houses destroyed remains unknown as no one dares return to assess the damage. Those who have fled have nothing to eat, with many unable to even construct temporary shelters with tarpaulins or palm leaves, leaving them in extreme hardship.

The villages targeted by the military junta include Ywagyi Ywathit, Nyaungsin, Wetlu, Pechat, Myawaddy, Kyundaung, Kadaung, Shwepyitar, Khansatgone East and West, Kyarkan, Nathnyun, Dargyun, Pattar, Pyidawthar, Yegone, Shwepyiaye and Tansaung. Tens of thousands of residents from these villages have been displaced and are struggling to find food and shelter, according to local sources.

Village burnings in Myingyan and Natogyi townships have intensified since 2022. The Myingyan Township humanitarian group reported that the destruction escalated further during the election period, when villages were torched with greater force. Following the third phase of the election in late January, the military junta has increased troop deployments and carried out sporadic attacks on villages, the group added.

In a separate incident on 31 January in Natogyi Township, a 13-year-old girl from Min Village was reportedly abducted for two days and raped by military junta police and soldiers before being released, according to the Myingyan Township humanitarian group. The use of sexual violence against a minor constitutes a grave violation of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and amounts to a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, residents reported that Taungtha Township in Myingyan District has been subjected to aerial attacks by helicopters and jet fighters since early February.

The systematic burning of civilian villages, deliberate displacement of entire communities and the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war represent egregious violations of international humanitarian law, which strictly prohibits the destruction of civilian property, collective punishment and attacks on non-combatants.

Military Junta Killed 55 Women Including Minors and Pregnant Women in January 2026, Burma Women's Union Reports

At least 55 women, including two who were pregnant and four under the age of 18, were killed in January 2026 as a result of air and ground attacks carried out by the military junta, according to the Burma Women's Union (BWU), which released the figures on 9 February.

The BWU reported that 46 of the women were killed in aerial bombardments, seven in artillery shelling and two in arbitrary killings during the month. In addition, the organisation documented that 54 women were injured in January, including 41 in airstrikes, five by landmines and five as a result of conflict-related sexual violence.

Sagaing Region recorded the highest number of women's deaths in January with 20 cases, followed by Rakhine State with 10 and Kachin State with eight. One of the deadliest incidents of the month occurred on 22 January, when an airstrike on Kaungja Village in Bhamo Township, Kachin State, killed eight women in a single attack.

According to the Nyan Lynn Thit Analytica Research Group, the military junta carried out 712 airstrikes between September and December 2025, with more than 64 per cent of them targeting civilians.

The BWU also documented that 792 women were killed in military junta attacks over the course of 2025 alone.

The systematic targeting of women, including pregnant women and minors, through aerial bombardment and ground attacks constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law, which affords special protection to women and children during armed conflict. The scale and pattern of these killings, alongside documented cases of conflict-related sexual violence, point to widespread and systematic attacks against the civilian population that may amount to crimes against humanity under international law.

Human Rights Abuses   

Military Junta Prison Authorities Place 15 Female Inmates in Solitary Confinement Following Peaceful Protest

Prison authorities at Mawlaikkalay Prison in Kalay Township, Sagaing Region, have placed 15 female inmates in solitary confinement after more than 200 prisoners staged a peaceful demonstration to mark the fifth anniversary of the military junta's illegal coup attempt, Mizzima reported.

The protest, which took place on 1 February, involved over 100 political prisoners who sang the revolutionary anthem Blood Oath (Thway Thitsar) and demanded an end to gender-based discrimination in prison duties and the dismantling of authoritarian structures. According to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) and family members, the 15 women were singled out as alleged leaders of the protest and are being held in isolation despite having conducted the demonstration without any violence or property damage.

Ko Thike Htun Oo, a member of the Central Steering Committee of the PPNM, told Mizzima on 2 February that it has been confirmed 15 of the protesters were placed in solitary confinement and that further details are still under investigation. He added that the network has received reports of the solitary confinement and is working to confirm the identities of those affected, though further details are not yet available.

The PPNM has alerted the public and human rights organisations to closely monitor the security situation and welfare of the 15 female prisoners placed in solitary confinement.

Inmates have reportedly set 17 April, Myanmar New Year's Day, as the deadline for their demands. If the military junta fails to comply, they have declared 18 April as a Nationwide Prison Strike Day and plan to continue their protests.

Located in Kalay Township, the prison houses roughly 1,600 inmates from Chin State, Kalay Wa, Min Kin, Paungbyin, Mawlaik, Homalin and Khanti townships, including around 500 political prisoners.

The use of solitary confinement as a punitive measure against prisoners exercising their right to peaceful protest constitutes a violation of international human rights standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, which restrict the use of solitary confinement and prohibit its application as a form of punishment.

Military Junta Has Forcibly Conscripted an Estimated 96,000 Males Since Enforcing Conscription Law

An estimated 96,000 males have been forcibly conscripted into the military junta's forces in a total of 20 intakes since the so-called military conscription law was illegally enforced on 10 February 2024, according to DVB data and the Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI), an independent research group formed by military defectors.

Kaung Thu Win, a military defector now working for People's Goal, told DVB that the military junta is mobilising all available human resources to retain power. People's Goal, formerly known as People's Soldiers, is an organisation founded by military defectors who now assist soldiers and police officers to leave their posts and join the resistance to military rule.

At least 27 military training schools are operating nationwide, recruiting approximately 4,800 people per intake on average, according to DVB that the military junta continuously arrests and recruits people for military service.

The so-called conscription law stipulates that males aged 18 to 35 and females aged 18 to 27 are subject to military service for at least two years. Additionally, professionals such as doctors and engineers are required to serve until the age of 45 for men and 35 for women.

The report added that the initial military training period for new conscripts was first set at 12 weeks but was later extended to 13 weeks and then to 15 weeks. The military junta issued stricter regulations for conscripts in January 2025.

So-called People's Military Service Law was enacted on 4 November 2010 under former dictator Than Shwe.

The military junta stated that the estimated 96,000 males who have completed military training are now serving in various military units nationwide. The military junta has not disclosed the total number of males conscripted under this so-called law over the past two years.

The enforcement of forced conscription, including the arrest and coercion of civilians into military service, constitutes a serious violation of international human rights law, including the prohibition of forced labour under the International Labour Organisation's conventions and the right to liberty and security of person under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The systematic and widespread nature of forced conscription further reinforces the pattern of crimes against humanity perpetrated by the military junta against the civilian population of Myanmar.

The resistance of the people of Myanmar   

Revolutionary Forces and Arakan Army Capture Multiple Military Junta Bases in Kanbalu District After Two-Month Offensive

Revolutionary joint forces, joined by the Arakan Army (AA), have carried out a sustained offensive for nearly two months against military junta bases in Kanbalu District, Sagaing Region, resulting in the capture of 101 prisoners of war and the seizure of large quantities of weapons and ammunition, according to the National Unity Government's (NUG) No. 1 Military Region, which made the announcement on 11 February.

The captured bases include the Koetaungboet Pyu Saw Htee village camp in Kanbalu Township, the Paygyi Pyu Saw Htee village camp on the Shwebo-Myitkyina road, and the Hngetpyawtaing and Intaing Pyu Saw Htee village camps in Kyunhla Township. These camps were seized during a series of coordinated attacks conducted between December 2025 and early February 2026.

The Shwe Paw Gone camp and the Power House camp, which were manned by a combined force of 85 military junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia members led by Sergeant Aung Aung from Intaing Village, Kyunhla Township, along with 23 Pyu Saw Htee fighters led by Pyu Saw Htee leader Zaw Gyi, were attacked and captured over three consecutive days from 19 to 21 December 2025, according to the statement. The assault was carried out by the Kanbalu District People's Defence Force (PDF), the Kanbalu District People's Defence Organisation (PDO/Pa Ka Pha), ethnic resistance organisations including the AA, the Kyunhla and Taze Township PDOs, the Kanbalu No. 1 Military Region Drone Unit and the District Artillery Unit.

On 20 and 21 December 2025, resistance forces attacked and captured the Paygyi village camp and the Hngetpyawtaing village camp, which reportedly housed a combined force of 105 military junta and Pyu Saw Htee personnel. This two-day operation involved the Kanbalu Township PDF, the Special Operations Unit, the Kanbalu District Drone Team, the Kanbalu District PDO (Pa Ka Pha) and joint forces from Kanbalu and Khin-U townships.

The Koetaungboet village camp in Kanbalu Township, a well-known Pyu Saw Htee base manned by approximately 100 military junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee members from Infantry Battalion 305 led by Captain Naung Thura, was captured after four days of fighting from 28 to 31 January, according to the statement. The attack was carried out by the Kanbalu Township PDF, the Sagaing Region PDF and the Arakan Army.

The resistance forces also attacked a military junta column advancing from Kawlin Town towards Thayetkhon village.

According to the statement, military junta forces suffered 96 fatalities and 38 injuries during the fighting. A total of 101 individuals, including one military junta officer, were captured as prisoners of war.

During the fighting, the military junta reportedly conducted 37 airstrikes using jet fighters and Y-12 aircraft, four attacks using gyrocopters and four strikes with kamikaze drones.

Resistance forces reported seizing 187 firearms of various types, 24,652 rounds of ammunition and 530 explosive devices, along with military equipment and other supplies. The captured camps, including those in Intaing and Koetaungboet villages, remain under resistance control.

Activities of the National Unity Government and Ethnic Revolutionary Organizations

NUG and K3C Alliance in Active Negotiations to Establish Collective Leadership for Myanmar Revolution

The National Unity Government (NUG) and the K3C alliance, comprising the Kachin Independence Organisation (KIO), Karen National Union (KNU), Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP) and Chin National Front (CNF), are in active negotiations to establish a new collective leadership framework intended to unify the Myanmar Spring Revolution, Mizzima reported.

The discussions were first made public by Lieutenant General Gun Maw, vice chairman of the KIO, during the 65th Kachin Revolution Day event held in Texas, the United States, on 8 February. He stated via online that the proposed collective leadership mechanism, currently referred to as a Steering Council, remains at a conceptual stage and is still under discussion pending final approval.

U Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson for the NUG Prime Minister's Office, confirmed to Mizzima on 10 February that such talks are ongoing, adding that the formation of a collective leadership body reflects public aspirations and is a necessary step for the success of the revolution. He stated that there are ongoing discussions to form a leadership organisation and that since the talks are still in progress, the specifics and current status will be officially announced at the appropriate time.

The NUG and K3C members previously issued a Common Position on 31 January 2025 outlining their main objectives, which included ending the military dictatorship and establishing a Federal Democratic Union.

Lieutenant General Gun Maw also suggested that 2026 could be a year of significant change, emphasising that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) continues to pursue its military objectives.

If the proposed collective leadership system is established, it could create more coordinated leadership among revolutionary forces and enhance both their military and political momentum.

Chin National Front Declares Commitment to Federal Democracy Free from Military Involvement on Panglong Anniversary

The Chin National Front (CNF) issued a powerful statement on 12 February 2026, marking the 79th anniversary of the Panglong Agreement, declaring its unwavering commitment to establishing a new Federal Democratic Union completely free from military involvement.

CNF spokesperson Salai Htet Ni emphasised that the current interim state of the Union fails to reflect true federalism due to the military junta's lingering political influence. He advocated for a bottom-up federalism approach rooted in the original 1947 Panglong promises of national equality and self-determination. Salai Htet Ni stated that what the CNF and the people across the country truly want is a federal democratic system completely free from military involvement, adding that this goal has already been clearly expressed and is now being pursued through both military and political efforts.

The statement followed a strategic meeting between the K3C alliance, comprising the Kachin, Karen, Karenni and Chin ethnic armed organisations, and the National Unity Government (NUG), where revolutionary leaders agreed on a balanced strategy integrating military, political and diplomatic efforts.

The CNF stated that the Panglong Agreement, Panglong Promises and Panglong Spirit must serve as the fundamental pillars in drafting a constitution for an independent Union that ensures national equality and the right to self-determination.

The statement also criticised successive mainland leaders and military coup leaders for governing with a chauvinistic mindset and turning the country into a centralised, unitary state. According to the CNF, this approach has resulted in the suppression and erosion of national identities, literature, culture and traditional practices.

The CNF further stated that the military coup led by Min Aung Hlaing has brought widespread deterioration across all sectors of the country. It argued that any future Union Parliament or regional legislatures formed through what it described as a sham election would serve only as superficial displays without genuine legitimacy.

The CNF concluded by stating that it is sacrificing and risking lives in the struggle against military dictatorship to achieve self-determination, federalism and democracy, and pledged to continue cooperating closely with allied revolutionary forces that share the same goals.

The Panglong Agreement, signed 79 years ago, is the historic accord that established an Independent Union by bringing together the Kachin Hills, Chin Hills, the Federated Shan States and mainland Burma into a single entity.

Karen National Union Chairman Calls for Unity Among Karen People on 78th Karen National Day

Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), has urged all Karen people, armed groups, political parties and organisations to work together in unity to achieve the aspirations of the Karen nation.

The KNU stated that the remarks were made in his speech delivered on 11 February at the occasion of the 78th Karen National Day. Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win emphasised that every action taken must aim towards fulfilling national goals and standing up for the Karen people, calling on all to strive together in unity under the Karen national flag.

He noted that depending on the evolving political landscape, everyone must collaborate to meet national aspirations. He added that opportunities for cooperation currently exist and called for participation in political efforts across their respective sectors. He further observed that the present time is a period of challenges not only for the Karen people but also for other ethnicities.

The KNU Chairman stated that the military coup is contrary to the goal of building a Federal Democratic Union, which is the desire of the Karen and all ethnic nationalities. He added that the military junta held elections as planned and won through fraudulent means to maintain lifelong rule over the country through chauvinism and dictatorship.

He therefore urged all ethnic nationalities to join hands to ensure long-term sustainability and development and to dismantle all pillars of the dictatorship to end military rule.

Padoh Saw Kwe Htoo Win further encouraged Karen leaders, soldiers, the public and the youth to work towards future political goals, namely the sustainability and development of the Karen people, while fighting against chauvinism and the military dictatorship to reach national objectives.

The National Unity Government (NUG) also sent a message for the 78th Karen National Day, stating its commitment to working with the entire Karen nation to end all forms of dictatorship and to build a Federal Democratic Union that fully guarantees national equality and the right to self-determination.

Kachin Independence Organisation Refuses Separate Peace Talks with Military Junta, Demands Inclusion of All Revolutionary Groups

The Kachin Independence Organisation/Army (KIO/KIA) will not enter political dialogue with the military junta unless other revolutionary groups, including the National Unity Government (NUG), are included in talks, Kachin Independence Council (KIC) Vice Chairman Gun Maw stated. The KIC is the administrative arm of the KIO, overseeing the KIA and all departments.

Lieutenant General Gun Maw made the remarks in a virtual address at a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of the Kachin Revolution, held in the United States state of Texas on 9 February 2026.

Since the 2021 coup, the KIO/KIA has allied with the NUG's People's Defence Forces, Chin units and other armed resistance groups to conduct anti-junta offensives in northern Shan, Kachin and Chin states and Sagaing Region.

Gun Maw emphasised that unity is essential and that the movement must progress from solidarity among individuals and groups towards nationwide unity, stating that the KIO's policy is to work together with all revolutionary groups. He added that the KIO/KIA has told the military junta directly that peace cannot be achieved by talking with the KIO alone and asked whether it is willing to engage with the NUG.

He stated that the KIO has informed the international community and regional countries that it will not accept an approach in which talks are conducted separately with individual groups.

Gun Maw noted that the KIO is responsible for defence and security across all of Kachin State and has opened a military area in neighbouring Sagaing, where it is fighting alongside PDF groups. The goal is to stabilise Kawlin, Kanbalu and Katha townships in northern Sagaing, the gateway to Kachin State, before taking control of the region's southern territory, he stated.

Meanwhile, KIA leaders are meeting with their counterparts in Chin State to coordinate operations aimed at liberating the entire state. Most of Chin State is currently controlled by resistance groups, but the military junta launched an offensive with approximately 1,000 troops four months ago in an attempt to retake territory. Troops advancing along the Kalay-Falam road have triggered clashes with Chin resistance groups, resulting in the deaths of up to 200 military junta soldiers, according to the Chinland Ministry of Defence.

Gun Maw stated that the KIO believes Chin State's resources can contribute to the success of the entire country and that the organisation is committed to liberating the whole state.

Turning to recent military developments in Kachin State, he reported that KIA troops had destroyed a radar system at Myitkyina Air Base and helped knock out a seventh military junta tank in the ongoing battle for Bhamo, Kachin State's second-largest city. Several ethnic resistance groups are fighting alongside the KIA to seize Bhamo, he added.

Gun Maw described the battle for Bhamo as a battle for political dignity, noting that the forces have been engaged in the difficult struggle for more than a year. He acknowledged that it will take time and resources but stated that the fight continues because it is necessary.

Since the military junta's coup and lethal crackdown on peaceful nationwide protests, the KIA has trained and armed several thousand anti-junta activists for the NUG's People's Defence Forces.

Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Marks Fifth Anniversary of Coup, Rejects Military Junta's Sham Elections

The Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) released a statement on 1 February 2026 marking five years since the illegal military coup, strongly rejecting the military junta's recent sham elections and calling on the international community to deny legitimacy to the military junta while increasing pressure, sanctions and support for Myanmar's democratic forces.

The CRPH stated that since Min Aung Hlaing forcibly seized state power from the democratically elected government, the military junta has waged war against its own people, conducting airstrikes on civilian areas, torturing and killing political prisoners and forcing millions to flee their homes. Despite this, the people of Myanmar have demonstrated an unbreakable revolutionary spirit and firm resolve to uproot the military dictatorship.

As the legitimate legislative body representing the will of the people expressed in the 2020 General Election, the CRPH reiterated that it absolutely does not recognise the sham elections held by the military junta nor any organisation arising from them. The statement described these elections as fraudulent, conducted under duress following the dissolution of major political parties, the imprisonment of democratic leaders including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and while intense fighting continues across more than one-third of the country.

The CRPH urged international governments and organisations not to recognise the military junta's new political machinery, warning that granting legitimacy to the military junta is equivalent to supporting mass killings and ignoring the democratic aspirations of the people of Myanmar.

The statement called on the international community to formally reject the military junta's fabricated political landscape, impose stricter sanctions on aviation fuel, financial flows and arms supplies, increase pressure for the release of all political prisoners and enhance humanitarian and political support for the National Unity Government (NUG), Ethnic Revolutionary Organisations (EROs) and the people of Myanmar.

The CRPH reaffirmed its commitment to establishing an inclusive Federal Union based on equality, inclusivity, the rule of law and human rights, and pledged to continue fighting alongside the people until a genuine Federal Democratic Union is established.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Warns of Generational Loss, Calls for United Nations Action at Joint GA-ECOSOC Briefing

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, addressed the Joint Briefing by the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council on the role of the GA and ECOSOC in New York on 30 January 2026.

The Ambassador stated that Myanmar's situation provides a somber case study of what happens when the peace-development nexus is severed. He noted that since the unlawful military coup of 2021, the people of Myanmar have endured a severe humanitarian crisis. The military junta's atrocities have forced mass displacement and created a humanitarian emergency that is rapidly eroding the country's human capital and development potential.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun warned that in the absence of security and the rule of law, Myanmar has become an epicentre for transnational organised crimes, including cybercrimes, online scam centres, and drug and human trafficking, imposing threats to regional and international peace and stability.

The Ambassador expressed grave concern that the people of Myanmar have already lost many years, adding that there is now a risk of losing an entire generation. He stated that the United Nations and the international community have so far failed the people of Myanmar.

Drawing on Myanmar's experience, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that there is no path towards a sustainable future other than the eradication of the military dictatorship and the establishment of a federal democratic union. He emphasised that addressing the root cause of the conflict is essential for sustaining peace and development.

The Ambassador suggested three key measures to synergise the General Assembly and ECOSOC. First, bridging the policy and action gap, with the General Assembly signalling political resolve through its resolutions while ECOSOC ensures those resolutions are backed by efficient development delivery mechanisms that reach the most vulnerable. Second, operationalising the UN80 Initiative to ensure that security interventions are informed by developmental needs and vice versa. Third, enhancing coherence between the two bodies to bridge gaps in their respective processes and enhance their collective impact on global crises.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun urged the General Assembly and ECOSOC to include measures necessary to support efforts to end the military dictatorship and establish a federal democratic union as they consolidate their leadership in the maintenance of international peace and security and the advancement of economic and social development.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Urges Decisive International Action at UNDP Executive Board Session

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, addressed the Interactive Dialogue with the UNDP Administrator at the First Regular Session 2026 of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS in New York on 3 February 2026.

The Ambassador welcomed the UNDP Strategic Plan (2026-2029) and its overarching goal to collectively advance human development, while highlighting the devastating impact of the military junta's illegal coup on Myanmar across three key strategic objective areas.

On prosperity, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun cited UNDP figures showing that nearly half of Myanmar's population is now living below the national poverty line, with a disappearing middle class and a surge in urban poverty. He noted that more than 3.6 million people are internally displaced and almost 22 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. He warned that a lack of employment opportunities, stagnant wages and forced conscription, particularly targeting young men, are fuelling an alarming youth exodus that threatens Myanmar's long-term development and poverty reduction prospects.

On effective governance, the Ambassador stated that the military junta has dismantled Myanmar's democratic institutions and independent judicial systems while committing human rights violations and atrocities against civilians. He added that the collapse of the rule of law, rising crime rates and ongoing armed conflict have contributed to a pervasive climate of fear and insecurity.

On crisis resilience, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that the military coup and its consequences have reversed Myanmar's hard-earned development gains, exacerbated pre-existing vulnerabilities and shattered the fabric of the country's societies. He emphasised that sustainable peace and stability requires the full restoration of genuine democracy and fulfilling the aspirations of the people. He stated that the sham elections and their manufactured results by the military junta will only prolong the crisis and violence in Myanmar.

The Ambassador concluded by echoing the UNDP Administrator's statement that in fragile contexts, waiting is not caution but failure and the most expensive choice that can be made. He urged that five years since the illegal military coup, the United Nations and its entities cannot wait any longer to act decisively and effectively to save the people of Myanmar, noting that the people of Myanmar, especially the youth, have already lost many years.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun appealed to the international community and Member States to support the people of Myanmar in their determination to end the military dictatorship and build a federal democratic union.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Highlights Worsening Humanitarian Crisis at UNFPA Executive Board Session

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, addressed the Interactive Dialogue with the UNFPA Executive Director at the First Regular Session 2026 of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS.

The Ambassador stated that five years have passed since the illegal military coup and the humanitarian crisis continues to disproportionately affect women and girls. He noted that the military junta continues to escalate its inhumane acts across the country, with Myanmar's humanitarian situation worsening with each passing year.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun reported that approximately 3.6 million people are currently displaced and 8.9 million people are in urgent need of protection from sexual and gender-based violence. He emphasised that the severity of the situation on the ground demonstrates that the time has come for the crisis to be addressed with seriousness, precision and urgency.

The Ambassador stressed that the people of Myanmar are not merely facing the side effects of conflict but are enduring deliberate and strategically planned atrocities committed by the illegally seized military junta. He called on the international community to support humanitarian operations by dismantling the military junta's weaponisation of humanitarian aid.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun also urged the strengthening of cross-border humanitarian assistance to ensure that aid reaches populations in conflict-affected areas that have been blockaded by the military junta.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Denounces Military Junta's Atrocities, Calls for Accountability at UN Commission for Social Development

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United Nations, addressed the General Discussion of the Sixty-fourth Session of the Commission for Social Development in New York on 4 February 2026.

The Ambassador stated that five years have passed since the illegal military coup of 1 February 2021 and that the military junta continues to wage war against the population, committing war crimes and crimes against humanity across the country.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun reported that over 7,700 people have been killed by the military junta since the coup, including 2,600 women, 1,300 children and 2,700 youths. He noted that over 3.6 million people are currently displaced and almost 22 million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance, with nearly 10.4 million being women, girls and LGBTIQ+ individuals.

The Ambassador painted a stark picture of conditions under the military junta, stating that in Myanmar there is no equality but discrimination, no inclusion but exclusion, no protection but persecution, no decent work but unemployment, no education but indoctrination, and no access to fundamental healthcare but a breakdown of the health system. He added that half the population is now living below the national poverty line.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that all foundational sectors and pillars of the country have been weaponised under the military junta, a group of perpetrators now organising sham elections to deflect international pressure regarding their brutalities. He emphasised that the sham elections and their manufactured results will only prolong the crisis and violence in Myanmar.

The Ambassador noted that atrocities are the everyday reality for the people of Myanmar, while social development and social justice remain a luxury. However, he stated that the people continue to cling to hope.

He highlighted that the National Unity Government, together with Ethnic Revolutionary Organisations (EROs) and civil society organisations, are carrying out measures to mitigate the suffering of the people, founded on the principles of leaving no one behind, justice and inclusivity, human rights and protection, humanitarian assistance, health and social services, education and youth.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun urged the United Nations not to continue failing the people of Myanmar, calling on the organisation to act boldly in addressing the crisis. He stressed that social development cannot thrive in a vacuum of legitimacy and that the military junta and its affiliates must be held accountable for the atrocities committed throughout the country. Only through accountability can Myanmar step towards building a federal democratic union committed to serving the interests of its people, he concluded.

Myanmar's UN Ambassador Calls for Inclusive Nation-Building and Legal Reform University Visits

In a series of high-profile seminars at the University of Chicago and Northern Illinois University, Myanmar's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, called for a fundamental restructuring of Myanmar's political and legal framework, Mizzima reported on 13 February.

During a seminar at the University of Chicago, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun met with faculty and students alongside international law expert Professor Dr Tom Ginsburg. The Ambassador highlighted that State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi's words to provide service to the people serve as a vital motivation for him in fulfilling his duties.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun stated that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's appearance at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was not to defend the military junta but rather to represent the country. He also noted that due to the 2008 Constitution, the State Counsellor did not receive adequate security information from the military, which led to huge challenges in the country's administration.

During his visit to the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University, the Ambassador stated that the Rohingya issue should be viewed as an integral part of Myanmar's broader challenges. He emphasised the need for a comprehensive solution within the context of nation-building rather than addressing it in isolation.

Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun suggested that the current citizenship law should be amended in the national interest to enable educated youth abroad, including the Rohingya, to participate in the country's reconstruction.

Furthermore, he urged neighbouring countries to handle Myanmar's issues based on humanity in addition to their own self-interests.

Response of the International Community

UN Secretary-General Condemns Deepening Crisis in Myanmar on Fifth Anniversary of Military Junta's Illegal Seizure of Power

On the fifth anniversary of the military junta's illegal seizure of power in Myanmar, the United Nations Secretary-General issued a statement through Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, condemning the deepening suffering of the people of Myanmar and the persistent cycle of impunity marked by widespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General expressed deep concern over the rapidly deteriorating situation in Myanmar and its serious regional ramifications, including rising transnational crime, mass displacement of nearly 5.2 million people both internally and across borders, acute food insecurity, economic volatility and escalating violence. The statement highlighted the ongoing airstrikes by the military junta targeting civilian populations and infrastructure as a particular source of concern.

The Secretary-General strongly condemned all forms of violence and urged to uphold international human rights law and international humanitarian law, and enable safe, sustained and unimpeded access for the United Nations and its partners to deliver humanitarian assistance and essential services to all those in need.

The statement reaffirmed the Secretary-General's solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their democratic aspirations for an inclusive, peaceful and just society, reiterating the need to ensure the protection of all communities, including the Rohingya.

The Secretary-General stressed that a viable path back to civilian rule must be founded on an immediate cessation of violence and a genuine commitment to inclusive dialogue with the full participation of civil society, including women, youth, ethnic and minority communities. He urged Myanmar stakeholders and international actors to ensure an environment that allows the people of Myanmar to freely and peacefully exercise their political rights and reiterated his call for the swift release of all those arbitrarily detained, including President U Win Myint and State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

The statement called for regional and international unity and sustained engagement to support a Myanmar-led solution to the crisis that fully addresses the root causes of conflict, ensures accountability and responds to immediate humanitarian and development needs.

The Secretary-General's Special Envoy on Myanmar, Julie Bishop, continues to engage with all stakeholders in close cooperation with ASEAN and other regional partners in the search for common ground that can provide a foundation for a durable resolution and sustainable peace in Myanmar.

International Community Condemns Military Junta on Fifth Anniversary of Illegal Coup in Myanmar

On the fifth anniversary of the military junta's illegal seizure of power in Myanmar, Australia, the European Union, Canada and the United Kingdom among others issued separate statements condemning the deepening crisis and the military junta's escalating violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. All four governments rejected the military junta's recently held elections as failing to meet international standards for free, fair and inclusive democratic processes.

The military junta attempted an illegal coup on 1 February 2021, toppling the democratically elected government and unlawfully detaining State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other senior members of the civilian government. Since then, the people of Myanmar have endured escalating violence, widespread human rights violations and severe humanitarian suffering. All statements noted that an estimated 16.2 million people require lifesaving humanitarian assistance in 2026, while over 3.6 million remain internally displaced. Canada further highlighted that 5 million children are among those in urgent need of aid, and the European Union noted that tens of thousands have fled to neighbouring countries.

Canada condemned the military junta's airstrikes on civilians, schools, hospitals and places of worship, and highlighted that the people of Myanmar have been killed, tortured and subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. The European Union condemned the continuing grave violations of human rights alongside widespread restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Australia reiterated its condemnation of the military junta's brutal atrocities, stating that it would continue to judge the military junta by its actions. The United Kingdom's Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that conditions on the ground remain dire, noting that half of Myanmar's children are now out of school, while women and girls face persistent violence. Both Australia and Canada highlighted that the conflict has fuelled a sharp rise in transnational and serious organised crime, threatening regional stability. The United Kingdom echoed these concerns, noting that crimes such as drug production and cyber scams have flourished as a direct consequence of the crisis.

The United Kingdom stated that it remains committed to supporting a stable future for the people of Myanmar, noting that in the past year it has supported over 1.4 million people with humanitarian assistance and provided 1.3 million people with essential health services. The European Union, as the largest donor responding to the crisis, reaffirmed its commitment to delivering humanitarian and development assistance.

Regarding the military junta's electoral process conducted in December 2025 and January 2026, Australia stated that the elections were held amid ongoing violence and repression without meaningful participation from opposition parties. The European Union concluded that the essential elements of free and fair elections were not met, noting the absence of a credible, transparent and inclusive process. Canada emphasised that there is no indication that the results reflect the will of the people of Myanmar, expressing deep concern over reports of arbitrary arrests, mass detentions and voter intimidation. The United Kingdom stated that the military junta's recent elections were neither free nor fair.

All four governments reaffirmed support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus as the framework for addressing the crisis and urged its full implementation. They called for the immediate cessation of violence, including an end to the military junta's airstrikes on civilian populations, the release of all those unjustly detained including State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, unhindered humanitarian access and genuine inclusive dialogue towards a democratic and peaceful transition. Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine aligned themselves with the European Union's statement. All four governments reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with the people of Myanmar and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future.

Philippines Calls for Release of Political Prisoners on Myanmar's Union Day Anniversary

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on 12 February marking the 79th anniversary of Myanmar's Union Day, expressing hopes for genuine reconciliation and calling for the release of more political prisoners as a step towards inclusive national dialogue in line with ASEAN's Five-Point Consensus.

The Philippines extended its felicitations to the people of Myanmar on the occasion, expressing its fervent hope that the anniversary be marked by the release of more political prisoners.

The statement noted that thousands of prisoners have already been released since 2021 and that many in the international community, including the Philippines, look forward to the release of more political prisoners as further gestures of reconciliation and an initial step towards an inclusive national political dialogue, in line with the Five-Point Consensus and the subsequent ASEAN Leaders' Review and Decision on the Implementation of the Five-Point Consensus.

Human Rights Myanmar Calls on United Nations to Address Military Junta's Digital Surveillance and Legal Repression

On 10 February, Human Rights Myanmar (HRM) published two submissions to the United Nations detailing how achieving justice in Myanmar will require moving beyond documenting physical abuses to dismantling the military junta's systems of digital surveillance and legal repression.

HRM stated that accountability mechanisms must address how the military junta uses technology and the judiciary to entrench control, warning that current approaches risk failing victims of serious human rights violations.

The group made two separate submissions to United Nations processes outlining what it called modern frameworks for transitional justice, arguing that existing models are ill-suited to the realities of Myanmar's post-coup repression.

One submission focused on digital repression, highlighting the dangers faced by activists and civilians who attempt to record abuses. HRM described a documentation trap in which filming attacks or saving evidence can itself lead to arrest, torture or enforced disappearance. The group noted that the military junta's control over telecommunications infrastructure and servers makes it difficult to preserve digital evidence, maintain chains of custody or prevent manipulation. HRM called for new international standards to protect civil society digital archives from seizure or destruction.

The group also advocated for what it termed digital restoration, including the right of survivors to have coerced confessions, biometric data and surveillance records erased from state systems. HRM stated that victims should have a right to be digitally forgotten by the military junta's surveillance apparatus.

A second submission addressed the use of Myanmar's legal system as a weapon since the 2021 coup. HRM claimed courts operating under the military junta of acting as extensions of the military and called for a punitive approach to accountability, rejecting amnesties for serious crimes.

The submission urged the repeal of the 1982 Citizenship Law and other discriminatory statutes, arguing that restoring citizenship and civil rights to the Rohingya and other marginalised communities is essential for meaningful justice.

HRM stated that true accountability requires a complete overhaul of both the judicial and digital landscape, adding that civil society documentation efforts remain vital to holding perpetrators to account under international law.

United States Extends National Emergency Declaration on Myanmar, Approves 121 Million Dollars in Humanitarian Aid

United States President Donald Trump this week extended the declaration of a national emergency in Myanmar for another year, a step that allows American sanctions against the military junta to continue, The Irrawaddy reported.

U.S. stated that the declaration, first made days after the 2021 military coup, has been extended because the situation in and in relation to Myanmar continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. The declaration added that the United States would continue to monitor progress towards dialogue and reduction of violence in Myanmar, warning that it is prepared to calibrate pressure as necessary to protect American interests.

United States sanctions against the military junta include a ban on the sale of jet fuel and blacklisting of banks that do business with the military junta.

James Shwe of the United States-based advocacy group Los Angeles Myanmar Movement (LA2M) stated that Trump's extension of the state of emergency demonstrates that the United States will not lift sanctions or normalise relations with the military junta, contrary to claims by lobbyists and propagandists.

Trump also signed a government spending bill that includes 121 million US dollars in humanitarian aid for Myanmar, with the explicit condition that none of it will be delivered to the military junta. Authorised under the Burma Act to support democracy and human rights, the funding is designated for cross-border assistance through Thailand and India, non-lethal aid and training, support for local governance and federalism, assistance to participants in nonviolent civil disobedience, collection of evidence of atrocities, justice and accountability for crimes committed against the Rohingya and support for political prisoners, among other purposes.

The House of Representatives approved the spending bill by 217 votes in favour and 214 against, while the United States Senate approved it with 71 votes in favour and 29 against.

Earlier, Trump terminated United States assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), but the new budget allocation reinstates a significant portion of that aid.

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Date: 15 February 2026

Permanent Mission of Myanmar, New York