Myanmar airstrike on IDP village kills 21, say rebels
BANGKOK, JAn 23: A Myanmar military airstrike on Hteelin village, Kachin state, killed 21 people and injured 28, including an infant, according to the ethnic Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and local media. The strike targeted a displaced persons’ camp, a school, a village market, and a prayer gathering, where around 500 residents were sheltering. Images circulated by local media showed extensive damage and casualties, though independent verification remains limited due to disrupted communications. Myanmar has been in turmoil since the military seized power from Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021, sparking widespread armed resistance from pro-democracy militias and ethnic groups like the KIA. The military has intensified airstrikes against these groups, resulting in over 7,700 deaths since the coup. The airstrike occurred just days before the final round of Myanmar’s three-phase elections in Bhamo township, which critics say are neither free nor fair due to political repression and the exclusion of major parties. KIA forces reportedly control downtown Bhamo, casting doubt on whether voting can take place. (AP)
Pak as Hamas’ safe haven threatens west
WASHINGTON, Jan 23: A MEMRI report warns that Pakistan is emerging as a safe haven for Hamas, particularly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, creating a significant risk to Western interests. Hamas representatives, including Naji Zaheer and Khaled Qaddoumi, have freely operated in Pakistan, attending rallies, conferences, and public events alongside figures linked to U.S.-designated terrorist groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM). Their activities, which escalated after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, have gained visibility and legitimacy, signaling Islamabad’s tacit support. The Pakistani military and government also facilitated events like Kashmir Solidarity Day, attended by jihadi commanders and Hamas leaders. MEMRI says this undermines Western diplomatic efforts to isolate Hamas and raises serious concerns about Pakistan’s commitment to counterterrorism and regional security. (IANS)
8 missing, 13 rescued near disputed Shoal in China
BANGKOK, Jan 23: Eight people were missing after a boat capsized with 21 Filipinos on board in the South China Sea, China’s Coast Guard said Friday. The Coast Guard have rescued 13 people in the ongoing operation, a statement said. The boat capsized some 55 nautical miles northwest of Scarborough Shoal, one of the most disputed shoals in the South China Sea. The area is the site of frequent showdowns between Chinese and Philippine ships. Both countries make claims to the territory and patrol the waters near the shoal, which also is claimed by Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan. A Chinese navy ship accidentally collided with a Chinese Coast Guard ship in August while trying to block a Philippine Coast Guard vessel near Scarborough Shoal. (AP)
