Airstrikes target Kachin Independence Army in Kachin State; Kyi Pyar resigns from NUG after being reprimanded

Airstrikes target Kachin Independence Army in Kachin State

The Burma Air Force reportedly carried out airstrikes in territory where three Kachin Independence Army (KIA) brigades are located in Kachin State on Saturday. No casualties were reported. This follows an alleged KIA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or drone, strike on the Myitkyina Airport in the Kachin State capital, which is under regime control, on Friday.

A Myitkyina resident told DVB that the Myitkyina Airport will be closed for three months due to the drone strike. Regime media reported that a Myanmar National Airlines passenger airplane was damaged by a KIA drone on Feb. 20. Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, denied the regime’s accusation that it was responsible.

He told DVB that the KIA has only attacked the military airbase in Nanpaung village three miles (4.8 km) from the Myitkyina Airport and that it doesn’t attack civilians. The Myitkyina Airport was reportedly hit by a drone strike, carried out by an unknown armed group, on Feb. 12. Myitkyina is located 63 miles (101 km) north of the KIA headquarters in Laiza.

Kyi Pyar resigns from NUG after being reprimanded

A resignation letter purported to be signed by National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Permanent Secretary Kyi Pyar was shared to social media on Sunday after allegedly being submitted on Feb. 21. It stated that Kyi Pyar was resigning for “health reasons” after the NUG found her “not guilty” of alleged corruption and embezzlement on Feb. 18.

An NUG press conference on Feb. 21 disclosed that Kyi Pyar’s husband Nyi Nyi Min was dismissed from the PMO as treasurer due to “nepotism.” The NUG “strongly warned” him about “sexual harassment” in the workplace. Kyi Pyar has called all accusations against her and Nyi Nyi Min by 12 former PMO staff as “false.” The NUG temporarily suspended the couple from their duties and started its investigation on Nov. 24.

Zaw Wai Soe, the NUG PMO minister, said on Feb. 21 that more action will be taken against Kyi Pyar and Nyi Nyi Min. The NUG has been criticized by the 12 former PMO staff members for not being “thorough,” stating that they will present their evidence to the public for “justice.” Kyi Pyar filed defamation charges against the 12, accusing them of “leaking state secrets” on Feb. 4.