Myanmar Spring Chronicle – January 1st Scene
MoeMaKa, January 2, 2025
Myanmar and the World Begin the New Year Amid Attacks and Violence
The year 2025 has begun with conflicts and violent attacks worldwide. From airstrikes and heavy military offensives to acts of terror involving vehicles plowing into crowds to maximize casualties, the new year arrives with grim developments. In Myanmar, the year started with bombings at refugee camps, clashes between armed groups, arrests, executions, and forced military conscriptions.
In Europe, nearly three years into the Ukraine-Russia war, missile and drone attacks marked the New Year, while in the Middle East, over a year since the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, Israel continues ground and air offensives aimed at uprooting Hamas insurgents. This has resulted in the devastation of the Gaza Strip, where millions of Palestinians reside, with over 40,000 civilians, including children, the elderly, and women, losing their lives.
As 2025 unfolds, these major conflict zones—the Ukraine-Russia war and the Middle East’s Gaza and Lebanon regions—show no signs of resolution. Meanwhile, Southeast Asia’s Myanmar remains engulfed in a domestic war. Reports also highlight the New Year prayer of the Catholic leader, the Pope, calling for an end to the conflict in Myanmar.
Myanmar is the only country in East Asia currently experiencing an active civil war. While not directly threatening regional stability, the war’s consequences—displacement and humanitarian crises—are impacting neighboring countries.
Globally, the New Year’s Day of January 1, 2025, recognized by most nations using the Gregorian calendar, is traditionally a time for hope and prayers for economic prosperity and peaceful resolution of conflicts. Communities usually embrace the New Year with joy and optimism, celebrating with family and friends.
However, for those caught in the throes of war, there are no holidays or family reunions. War-torn lives involve displacement from homes, enduring harsh winters in refugee camps, relying on scarce aid supplies, and living under constant threat of nighttime airstrikes.
On December 31, the military junta’s air force bombed villages in Rakhine State, Karenni State, and Mandalay Region, resulting in nine deaths and several injuries, according to RFA Myanmar. Reports indicate five civilians died in an airstrike on Thakyin Village, Nganzun Township, Mandalay Region, and three more perished in a similar attack on Yotayoke Village, Ponnagyun Township, Rakhine State. Additionally, an airstrike on a refugee camp near Loikaw, Karenni State, killed one person and injured four others.
Another notable airstrike targeted the headquarters of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO) in southern Shan State’s Maukme Township.
These events illustrate that even the first day of 2025 has been marred by airstrikes and civilian casualties. The intensification of anti-junta resistance is likely to continue or even escalate in the coming year.
The military junta, despite losing control over significant territories, is expected to consolidate its grip on remaining regions, leveraging taxes and resources to sustain its operations against resistance forces. Globally, powerful nations with vested interests in maintaining their influence will likely continue to fund and support conflicts, shaping 2025 into another year of violence and unrest.