Two killed by fallen tree during aftershock in Mandalay
A four-year-old girl and her father, who were sheltering in a monastery compound in Mandalay’s Maha Aungmyay Township, were killed by a tree following a 5.2 magnitude aftershock on Saturday, according to the regime Fire Services Department. Mandalay residents have reported frequent aftershocks since the earthquake struck central Burma on March 28.
The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that the aftershock struck six miles (9.6 km) southwest of Myittha town, which is located 44 miles (71 km) south of Mandalay. It has recorded 175 aftershocks since March 28. Nearly 4,000 buildings were destroyed by the earthquake in Mandalay, according to the Mandalay City Development Committee.
Sources told DVB that the MCDC’s ”sluggish” procedure is one of the reasons hampering restoration efforts. Mandalay, located 15 miles (24 km) east of the earthquake epicenter in Sagaing Region, reported at least 2,916 killed. At least 4,477 have been killed and 11,366 have been injured by the March 28 earthquake, according to DVB data.
Six People’s Defence Force members killed by regime
Six members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) were killed during fighting with regime forces in Myingyan District of Mandalay Region on May 15, the PDF told DVB. It added that the regime suffered heavy casualties but did not disclose any number. Myingyan is located 69 miles (111 km) southwest of the region’s capital Mandalay.
“We launched a district-level offensive. The regime relied heavily on airstrikes to defend their posts,” a PDF spokesperson in Madaya Township told DVB. The PDF attacked regime outposts in Myingyan, Taungtha, Natogyi and Simeekhon towns of Myingyan District simultaneously on May 15, according to residents.
One resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the clashes occurred as close as two miles (3.2 km) from Myingyan town. The PDF launched an operation to seize the district in August but the regime maintains control over urban areas. Singu, Tagaung and Thabeikkyin towns are under PDF control and are administered by the National Unity Government (NUG).
Military executes two after raid in Sagaing Region
Chaung-U Township residents in Sagaing Region told DVB that two civilians were executed by regime forces during a raid on the Yehlay neighborhood on Friday. Over 100 civilians were arrested during the raid. Chaung-U is located along Chindwin River 16 miles (25 km) south of the Sagaing region capital Monywa. It is under regime control but contested by resistance forces.
“The military raided the monastery where more than 100 residents, including women and children, were staying temporarily because they were afraid of staying inside their homes. The military arrested two men in their 30s and killed them outside the monastery,” a Chaung-U resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that regime troops are now stationed inside the monastery.
Seven civilians were killed and at least three others were injured by artillery fire on the town and Ngalontin village, which is located one mile east of Chaung-U, May 15-16. At least 12 civilians have been killed by air and artillery attacks in Chaung-U since May 7, according to local reports. An unknown number of residents have been forced to flee their homes for safety.
News by Region
SAGAING—Four civilians, including a 10-year-old, were killed by a motorized paraglider attack on Sithalay village of Monywa Township — the region’s capital and the headquarters of the regime’s Northwestern Regional Military Command (RMC) — on Saturday, the PDF told DVB.
Ko Demo, a PDF spokesperson, added that the regime carried out another paraglider attack on Wadan village in Monywa on the same date and that the number of casualties was still being counted. The regime announced its unilateral ceasefire April 2-30, which it renewed from May 6-31.
SHAN—The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) released a report on May 15 about the expansion of rare earth mining operations in an area controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA). Satellite imagery shows a mining site in Mong Yawn village of Mong Hsat Township, located 263 miles (423 km) east of the state capital Taunggyi.
Ying Leng Harn, the SHRF spokesperson, told DVB that research into the levels of toxicity in the nearby Kok River caused by rare earth mining has led to Thai authorities warning residents of Chiang Rai Province in neighbouring Thailand to avoid consuming water from the river and its connected waterways.
MANDALAY—Regime media reported that 17 members of a gang were arrested for 10 armed robberies in five townships. A source close to the police force told DVB that the gang leader was arrested on May 5 after an investigation into a robbery at Shwe Zamani gold shop in Chanmyathazi Township on April 28.
“Police arrested the leader, his wife, and the 15 others with three vehicles, weapons and camouflage patterned clothing,” a source close to the Mandalay Police Force told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The gang is also under investigation for armed robbery in Tada-U, Amarapura, Kyaukse, and Maha Aungmyay townships.
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