- Myanmar's ethnic Karen National Union (KNU) on Friday announced plans to replace the junta administration in and around Myawaddy after seizing full control of the trade hub located at the border with Thailand. Myanmar Now
- This comes as anti-junta rebels and allied forces drove out the military's last battalion early on Thursday to conclude an assault that started earlier this week on junta positions in the city. Benar News
- Some 200 Myanmar soldiers are said to have withdrawn to the Friendship Bridge to request refuge in Thailand, amid reports that about 600 others had already fled over the weekend. Al Jazeera (LR: 2 CP: 1)
- Following the capture of Myawaddy, hundreds of civilian refugees have crossed the river border into Thailand amid concerns that the military could soon launch an aerial counter-attack to regain the town of around 200K people. Reuters (LR: 3 CP: 5)
- Thai Foreign Minister Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara said Tuesday that his country can grant temporary refuge to as many as 100K people. The district of Mae Sot has in the past sheltered thousands of Myanmar villagers. Washington Post (LR: 2 CP: 5)
- Myanmar has spiraled into civil war since the military junta took over the country in February 2021, with a nationwide armed resistance movement that includes ethnic rebel armies such as the KNU now posing a legitimate threat to its hold on to power. CNN (LR: 2 CP: 5)
Narrative A:
- Anti-government terrorist groups are spreading dangerous lies aimed at undermining national unity and trust in Myanmar’s security forces. They have caused mass upheaval and displaced thousands of people while blaming the government, which is simply looking to restore order. It's certain that several groups will look to sow discord and subvert harmony, but the national security forces will continue to promote unity and security.
GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Narrative B:
- Anti-coup rebel groups have continued to make major strides in their fight against the military junta, and the KNU’s capture of Myawaddy marks a major turning point in the power struggle over Myanmar. Ever since the coup, the junta has been unable to get a firm grip on power — and the resistance continues to take advantage of its weaknesses. State media may not admit this but its silence is deafening.
THAI.NEWS
Nerd narrative:
- There's a 50% chance that Myanmar will no longer be classified as being in a state of civil war by December 2028, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
METACULUS (LR: 3 CP: 3)