Human Rights Watch (HRM) condemned Myanmar's military elections as illegitimate on January 28, 2026, stating they failed international standards and UN criteria for genuine polls, according to a report cited by BNI Online. Intense fighting raged south of Myawaddy in Karen State for a third day as junta troops clashed with Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and People's Defense Force (PDF) fighters, with artillery shells landing in Thailand, per Irrawaddy News reports from the 11:45 AM to 2:45 PM UTC window. Home Affairs Minister Lt Gen Tun Tun Naung was reassigned to military duties during this three-hour period amid an ongoing junta shakeup to bolster loyalty ahead of a transition to a nominally civilian government, Irrawaddy News reported. Locals reported junta deployment of air support in the clashes south of Myawaddy on Wednesday, with shells damaging homes inside Thailand. The HRM report, published as covered by BNI Online, highlighted failures in meeting benchmarks for credible elections under military control. No prior reports provide direct context for these window-specific developments.
