At least nine people were killed in Myanmar today when security forces fired at protesters, according to witnesses and media (Agence France-Presse, Reuters). Meanwhile, the country’s military junta and an envoy appointed by the deposed government are at odds over who represents Myanmar at the United Nations (New York Times).
A UN report said tens of thousands of people arbitrarily detained in Syria are missing and thousands have suffered torture, sexual violence, or death while in custody. The report alleged that almost all major parties in Syria’s decade-long conflict have committed detention-related violations and abuses (OHCHR).
Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met virtually with Myanmar’s military-appointed foreign minister today amid continued unrest following the country’s coup last month. The bloc urged Myanmar’s junta to stop harming protesters and free detained civilian leaders (South China Morning Post).
U.S. special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah today in Kabul, Khalilzad’s first visit to Afghanistan under President Joe Biden (TOLO). He is also traveling to Qatar’s capital, Doha, and other cities as he seeks to energize Afghan peace talks (Al Jazeera).
Security forces killed at least eighteen protesters in Myanmar yesterday, according to the United Nations, in the deadliest day since the military launched a coup one month ago. Authorities filed two new charges against deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi today, and Myanmar’s military is expected to meet with regional foreign ministers tomorrow (Reuters, South China Morning Post).
Forces from the internationally recognized government are battling Houthi rebels in Marib Governorate, with government sources saying hundreds of fighters on both sides have been killed since Friday (Al Jazeera). Separately, countries and donors will participate in a virtual conference today to raise aid for conflict-ravaged Yemen (Agence France-Presse).