One civilian killed by airstrike in Mandalay Region
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Mogok Township of Mandalay Region told DVB that one civilian was killed and one was injured by three airstrikes on Mogok town May 2-3. An unknown number of homes and buildings were destroyed. Mogok is located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of the region’s capital Mandalay.
“Two bombs dropped onto a monastery in Sinkwa village,” a Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. “I thought I was dead,” the resident added. The regime carried out two airstrikes on four villages May 2-3. Mogok came under Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) control on July 24.
The regime has demanded the withdrawal of TNLA forces from Mogok, as well as Nawnghkio, Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Momeik townships in northern Shan State, according to the TNLA. China-brokered peace talks between the TNLA and the regime were held April 28-29, but failed. The next round will take place in August, stated the TNLA.
National Unity Government opens 31 township-level courts
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Justice stated Friday that it has opened a total of 31 township-level courts and one interim appeals court in areas of the country it administers under the control of the PDF in Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions.
“A total of 31 township courts have been opened for the public with the service of about 40 legal officers,” stated the NUG on April 2. It added that 111 judges delivered verdicts in cases in 29 township courts in 2024. Twelve cases are currently underway in 10 military courts and two military tribunals established by the NUG Ministry of Defense.
A total of 58 people have been prosecuted in NUG courts located in PDF-controlled Khampat, Mawlu, Pinlebu, Shwe Pyi Aye and Indaw in Sagaing Region, as well as Singu, Tagaung and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region, and Myothit in Magway Region. On May 19, 2022, the NUG established its first 15 township-level courts.
Resistance forces detain 200 regime troops in Kachin State
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), and its allied resistance forces, detained at least 200 regime troops, including family members, in Bhamo Township of southern Kachin State since fighting resumed on April 25. Bhamo is located 120 miles (193 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and 58 miles (93 km) southwest of Laiza, the KIA headquarters.
“They were staying in houses belonging to [Bhamo] residents,” a KIA source told DVB on the condition of anonymity, referring to the 200 detained regime troops and their family members. KIA-led forces seized the school in Bhamo, where regime forces had been stationed, along with an undisclosed number of outposts in late April, the source added.
The KIA reportedly paused its offensive since the beginning of May but the Burma Air Force has carried out daily retaliatory air and drone strikes. The Military Operations Command (MOC) 21, the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 47, the military hospital, as well as the logistics and engineering battalions in Bhamo are still under regime control, sources told DVB.
Over 1,000 Hpakant Township residents flee fighting
Over 1,000 residents from 21 villages in Hpakant Township of Kachin State have fled their homes due to fighting between regime troops and KIA-led resistance forces at Lawa and Namya villages, sources told DVB. No casualties have been reported. Hpakant is located 94-214 miles (151-344 km) west and northwest of Myitkyina, Laiza, and Bhamo.
“We need medicine and sanitary pads urgently since women, children and the elderly are among those displaced [from their homes],” an aid worker in Hpakant told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The Kachin Baptist Church (KBC) is providing temporary shelter to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in 10 villages of Hpakant, the source added.
The regime dispatched two military columns, totaling around 1,000 troops, based in Kamaing and Indawgyi towns to Hpakant town and its surrounding villages, which are under KIA control, on April 23. The KIA gained control of Hpakant town and its surrounding villages of Namya, Hsenghpayar and Kathmaw in April 2024, local media reported.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Residents of Lemyethna Township told DVB that at least four civilians, including a Buddhist monk, were killed and over 200 homes across seven villages were destroyed by at least 40 airstrikes in March and April. Lemyethna is located 75 miles (120 km) north of the region’s capital Pathein.
Fighting between regime forces and the Arakan Army (AA) broke out in Pandawgyi village, located 11 miles (17 km) west of Lemyethna, from April 15-18. A source close to the regime told DVB that its troops retreated from Pandawgyi to Sisonekone village of Yegyi Township, located across the Ngawun River from Lemyethna.
MON—A rescue team in Thaton Township told DVB that a bridge in Moe Kaung village, on the Yangon-Mawlamyine road, was destroyed by a mine attack on Saturday. “Only small vehicles are able to cross [the bridge],” a spokesperson told DVB. Thaton is located 45 miles (72 km) south of the state capital Mawlamyine.
A local resistance group claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming that the bridge is used to send reinforcements to the regime Aung Zeya column fighting the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) along the Asia Highway from Kawkareik to Myawaddy. The bridge was previously attacked by explosives on Feb. 28, 2024.
SHAN—Residents of Nyaungshwe Township told DVB that 50 earthquake survivor families out of 100 who lost family members on March 28 near Inle Lake received 1 million MMK ($227 USD) in cash assistance from the regime on April 31. Nyaungshwe is located 18 miles (28 km) south of the state capital Taunggyi.
A Nyaungshwe resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that very few survivors have received aid in Kaylar village, where 31 bodies were recovered and 435 homes were destroyed, according to DVB data. The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) stated that nearly 100 residents from 25 villages were killed and a total of 3,255 homes were destroyed on March 28.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,410 MMK)
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