Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) declared on 7 September a people’s “defensive war” against the junta, calling on all citizens to “revolt against the rule of military terrorists led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in every corner of the country” and declared all of Myanmar to be under a state of emergency. The acting President expressed confidence that the international community would back the NUG’s declaration of war against the junta, as it was a necessary step. 

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) showed its support for the National Unity Government’s announcement of the start of a defensive war and became the first ethnic armed group to echo the NUG’s call. Pado Saw Shwe Maung, chairman of the Dooplaya District of the Karen National Union (KNU), called the NUG to withdraw the state of emergency. 

The National Unity Government (NUG) has questioned the proposal of a four-month ceasefire by the ASEAN special envoy to Myanmar Erywan Yusof. The junta has denied that it has accepted the call for a four-month ceasefire despite Mr. Yusof telling Kyodo News that the junta had accepted his proposal of ceasefire to enable the delivery of humanitarian aid to Myanmar. The Peace Process Steering Team (PPST) leader Naing Aung Min has said they have welcomed the request for a four-month ceasefire in order to provide humanitarian assistance. This team includes 10 ethnic armed groups who signed the Nationwide ceasefire Agreement.

Thai police have been ordered to raid and arrest anyone related to Myanmar’s National Unity Government (NUG) found to be staying in Thailand, especially ministers and deputy ministers.

Officials from Pakistan’s Defense Ministry made an unannounced visit to Myanmar and held talks on advanced ordnance technology, aircraft repair and maintenance, and naval munitions during the trip.

The pre-trial detention of Danny Fenster, an American journalist, has been extended and his next trial date was set for 20 September. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Ma Thuzar, who worked for the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency and the Friday Times News Journal as she was arrested arbitrarily for no clear reason. The junta-controlled Myanmar Press Council held elections at the assembly hall of Myanmar Press. Among 29 candidates, 11 were elected. Currently there are 23 members in the Myanmar Press Council.

Protests continued in different parts of Myanmar despite the crackdown by the junta over the week. The clashes between the junta forces and the civil resistance fighters or Ethnic Armed Organizations also emerged in all states and regions except Rakhine Region. 

As of 9 September, there were 2,390 bomb blasts and 68 telecom masts were destroyed, according to a junta-run newspaper and also a leaked letter on social media has ordered junta’s troops to take the priority in securing Mytel and MPT telecom units. According to the information compiled by ANFREL, at least 68 bomb blasts happened across Myanmar in the past week. It was reported that at least 34 people were injured and 13 died.
According to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), the junta held 177 people who are the relatives of wanted anti-junta activists as hostages. It has released 40 of them, but 137 remain in custody. Of the 177, 15 are children, nine of whom have been released, leaving six in detention. As of 11 September, 1,080 people have been killed by the junta. 6,398 people are currently under detention and 272 are sentenced. 65 have been sentenced to death and 1,984 are evading arrest warrants.

Download the full update here: Myanmar Situation Update (6-12 September 2021)