Myanmar Military Junta Faces Resistance and Challenges Amid Ongoing Conflict

On April 22, 2024, the Myanmar news channel Mizzima TV aired its daily news hour program at 2 PM, covering the latest developments in the country. The National Unity Government (NUG) announced that the military junta has been forcibly recruiting Rohingya people for military service and making them conduct fake protests in Rakhine State.

In a significant development, a junta sergeant named Thet Naing Oo defected to the Special Operation Force in Karen State and was rewarded 80,000 Baht. Meanwhile, the Naypyitaw Regional People's Defence Force (PDF) conducted an event to mark the completion of their basic military training.

The conflict in Myanmar continues to escalate, with the junta army conducting an aerial attack in Myawaddy Township of Karen State, causing townspeople to flee. Tragically, a car carrying displaced people was shot at, resulting in two deaths. In response to the situation, the Prime Minister of Thailand is reportedly visiting Mae Sot to observe the situation on the Thai-Myanmar border.

Various protests and attacks against the military junta were reported in different regions of Myanmar, including Sagaing, Magway, Bago, and Tanintharyi. Armed groups representing ethnic minorities were also involved in clashes with the junta forces in Mon and Shan States.

Why this matters: The ongoing conflict in Myanmar has far-reaching consequences for the stability and security of the region. The resistance against the military junta highlights the struggle for democracy and human rights in the country, drawing international attention and concern.

In an effort to increase revenue, the junta government has instructed garment factories to sell all their products and implemented a 3 million-acre oil crop special zone. As the situation in Myanmar remains volatile, the international community continues to monitor developments closely.

Key Takeaways

• Myanmar junta forcibly recruiting Rohingya for military, staging fake protests.
• Junta sergeant defects to Karen State's Special Operation Force, rewarded 80,000 Baht.
• Junta conducts aerial attack in Karen State, causing civilian casualties and displacement.
• Protests and clashes between junta and ethnic armed groups reported across Myanmar.
• Junta instructs garment factories to sell products, implements 3 million-acre oil crop zone.