A message to our readership.
In 2023, Myanmar remained in a state of war—a war, fundamentally speaking, between an illegitimate regime and a defiant people. The nation is bloodied, the people are in a state of anguish and the regime is as brutal as ever. The Irrawaddy, as an independent media organization, has an obligation to report and analyze the events of this tormenting time, and to follow the political, social and economic upheaval in order to keep you all informed and make sense of the whole chaotic situation.
Throughout this dark and difficult time, we have striven every day to provide, to the best of our ability, accurate and relevant information, along with in-depth analysis, to help guide our people and the world to the light and to understand the truth during this, the darkest and most complex situation the country has faced.
As we have demonstrated throughout our long journey over the past 30 years, since our establishment in 1993, The Irrawaddy is a professional and resilient media organization, and the passion and commitment of our team to continue to serve you will never diminish.
Besides our daily coverage, The Irrawaddy’s signature weekly products—Editorial Talk, Saturday Roundtable Podcast and The Irrawaddy YouTube channel’s content—have enabled us to reach a wider audience of viewers and listeners. This year we launched an Investigative Desk, and a Climate Desk is in the pipeline.
To keep our commitment alive, especially in this challenging time, we ask for your kind support to help us continue practicing independent journalism, as Myanmar’s media sector is now badly underfunded, putting journalists’ physical and job-related security at risk.
Through the endeavors of the people, we hope to see this era—the darkest that Myanmar has endured—end soon, and to welcome a new dawn. We also believe that, every day, the service we provide to you brings us one step closer to the creation of a new nation built on the freedom and federalism, democracy and prosperity, peace and happiness that the Myanmar people have longed for. The truth we pursue must prevail.
Happy New Year!
| | | | |  | | Founded in 1993 by a group of Myanmar journalists living in exile in Thailand, The Irrawaddy is a leading source of reliable news, information, and analysis on Burma/Myanmar and the Southeast Asian region. From its inception, The Irrawaddy has been an independent news media group, unaffiliated with any political party, organization or government. We believe that media must be free and independent and we strive to preserve press freedom. | | Unsubscribe from this list | | | | Copyright © 2023 The Irrawaddy. All rights reserved. | | | |
The rebel alliance says airstrikes and shelling attacks on civilians have increased as the regime becomes increasingly desperate.
The Karenni State capital, which is strategically located near Naypyitaw, is targeted by repeated junta shelling and airstrikes. 
The regime's newspapers were filled with tirades against José Ramos-Horta after he urged junta troops to defect, and its backers staged a rally denouncing him in Yangon.
Launch of political and diplomatic offensives is urgent if the National Unity Government and ethnic armed allies are to retain momentum of Operation 1027.
Prison sources say around 200 jailed troops have been released on condition they serve in the armed forces for the rest of their sentences.
In Part 2 of an interview, Daw Zin Mar Aung says she is optimistic all anti-regime stakeholders have learned from the past and understand the need for unity.
Rukchanok Srinork of the Move Forward Party was found guilty of lese majeste and breaching the Computer Crimes Act for retweeting two messages.
Regime spokesman Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun continues to concoct lies to cover up humiliating defeats as the resistance offensive expands. 
The Indaw People's Defense Force says Maw Luu town in Indaw Township has fallen after about six hours of fighting.
Dawei Watch said two of its employees were arrested from their homes in the Tanintharyi capital at around midnight on Dec. 11.
The alliance says its three members will fight the regime until a federal democracy is established.
Four regions targeted as the junta intensifies its aerial campaign in the face of an expanding resistance offensive.
PDF, KNLA and BPLA forces ousted junta troops from the station in Phyu Township on the old Yangon-Naypyitaw-Mandalay highway, two hours' drive from the capital. 
The Irrawaddy's latest roundup includes incidents in Shan State and Sagaing, Magwe and Tanintharyi regions.