Regime repatriates military personnel from Bangladesh
A total of 134 Border Guard Police (BGP) and military personnel who had taken shelter from attacks by the Arakan Army (AA) in Bangladesh were repatriated to Burma on Sunday, the Dhaka Tribune reported. They were transported from Cox’s Bazar by a Burma Navy vessel on June 9.
The 134 Burma nationals had fled to Bangladesh due to fighting between the AA and Burma Army along the Burma-Bangladesh border earlier this year. A total of 45 Bangladesh nationals, who were imprisoned in Burma, were sent home in return.
Hundreds of Burma Army and BGP have fled into Bangladesh since the AA launched its offensive against the military on Nov. 13. The AA now controls 10 towns in Arakan, including Buthidaung Township along the border, and one in southern Chinland. Bangladesh repatriated 288 regime personnel to Burma in April.
No ceasefire in Arakan State despite pressure from China
Khaing Thukha, the AA spokesperson, claimed on Saturday that the AA would only agree to a ceasefire with the Burma Army in Arakan State when its military and political goals are achieved. He added that it is difficult to compromise with the Burma Army when it targets civilians.
“China is calling for us to pursue peace talks with the [Burma] Army but it depends on the military’s current acts. We already demanded that they not cause harm to civilians during previous [peace] talks,” said Khaing Thukha.
The AA stated that it would only participate in political dialogue with a national government that is supported by the people of Burma. Fighting between the AA and the Burma Army is taking place in northern Arakan’s Maungdaw, and southern Arakan’s Ann and Thandwe townships.
Fundraising event held in US for resistance forces
Members of the Burmese diaspora in the U.S. held a fundraising event in Washington, DC to commemorate Burma’s jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on Sunday.
Her former economic advisor, Sean Turnell, signed copies of his book about his 650 days held by the regime after the 2021 military coup, called “An Unlikely Prisoner.” Turnell is now a special advisor to the National Unity Government (NUG) Interim Central Bank.
The event raised over $20,000 USD with an auction of paintings and jewelry. Aung San Suu Kyi has spent her last four birthdays behind bars – serving a 27-year prison sentence. She was arrested on Feb. 1, 2021 during the military coup and has been held incommunicado since then. She hasn’t been allowed to meet with her legal team since December 2022.
News by Region
MON—A resistance group calling itself the New Rehmonnya Federated Force claimed that the Burma Army killed 22 civilians and injured 38 others by artillery and air attacks in May. Fifty-one homes were destroyed and seven people were arrested, according to the group’s spokesperson. In April, 15 civilians were killed, 17 were injured, and 11 were arrested. More than 21,000 are Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) after having fled their homes due to the attacks, the spokesperson claimed.
SAGAING—The Burma Army arrested more than 80 civilians at Mingyi Hotel in Kalay town on Sunday. At least 48 were men. Twenty of which were involved in an altercation at the hotel on Saturday. “Our nephew was arrested. He was ordered to participate in the draft lottery [for military conscription],” said the relative of a young man who was arrested. Twenty-eight men were released after signing a statement not to get involved in altercations in the future. Kalay residents report that 20 men are still being held. Over 40 women and minors who were arrested were later released.
TANINTHARYI—Four civilians, including two children, were killed and a child was injured after artillery landed in Yephyu Township on Friday. “Burma Army personnel conducted an offensive against resistance forces. The Burma Navy and infantry troops offered assistance by firing artillery shells during the fighting. One of the shells landed in a village,” said a Yephyu resident.
YANGON—Kingsrich Myanmar Fashion garment factory workers in Shwepyitha Township held a protest on Monday calling for a daily wage increase. The Burma Army later quelled the protest. DVB was unable to confirm if arrests were made. “They asked who the leader of the protest was but everyone said it did not have one,” an anonymous source close to the workers told DVB. The garment factory produces clothing for Swedish fashion retailer H&M. Workers there report that they have been barred from forming a labor union. Negotiations between workers, factory management, and the Burma Army are underway.
