Airstrike kills six in Magway Region
Residents of Myaing Township in Magway Region told DVB that two civilians and four People’s Defense Force (PDF) members were killed by an airstrike on Bahinn Village carried out by the Burma Air Force on Tuesday. The PDF members were reportedly visiting from Yinmarbin Township in Sagaing Region.
“The four PDF members were eating at a local restaurant when the airstrike hit. The restaurant’s owner and her daughter were also killed,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. Myaing is located 144 miles (231 km) northwest of the region’s capital Magway and 44 miles (70 km) south of Sagaing Region’s Yinmarbin.
Ten other Myaing residents were injured and four houses and a car were destroyed by the airstrike on May 20. Four civilians were injured by an airstrike in Myaing’s Hpyathee village on May 19. The PDF claimed that there was no fighting with regime forces and that the airstrikes were based on information provided by military informants.
Another 4 civilians killed in Mandalay Region
Four civilians were killed and at least four others were injured by airstrikes on Kansint village in Myingyan District of Mandalay Region on Monday, residents told DVB. This follows the start of the PDF simultaneous offensive against eight regime outposts in the district on May 15. Myingyan is located 69 miles (111 km) southwest of the region’s capital Mandalay.
A PDF member in Myingyan told DVB that there was no ongoing fighting with regime forces in Kansint village at the time the airstrikes occurred. Sources told DVB that at least nine PDF members were killed during fighting with regime forces in Myingyan, Taungtha, Natogyi, Ngazun and Simeekhon townships since May 15. The regime has not reported any casualties.
A PDF member in Taungtha accused the regime of attacking villages in the town with motorized paragliders this month without disclosing any casualty figures. Simeekhon residents have fled their homes due to fighting since May 15. Singu, Tagaung and Thabeikkyin towns are under PDF control and are administered by the National Unity Government (NUG).
Civil society wants ASEAN to cut ties to regime and engage resistance
Civil society organizations in Burma have called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to cut its ties to the regime in Naypyidaw and engage with the resistance during the 46th summit in Malaysia May 25-27. Regime airstrikes killed at least 20 children and two teachers at a school in Ohteintwin village of Depayin Township, Sagaing Region on May 12.
“It is unconscionable to provide [Naypyidaw] with a platform just days later. ASEAN’s continued recognition only serves to normalize the regime’s violence,” Chit Seng, a Human Rights Associate at Fortify Rights, told DVB. Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung condemned ASEAN for its “complicity” in the regime’s crimes by lending it legitimacy.
Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing met with ASEAN Chair Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Thailand on April 17. Anwar also met virtually with National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister Mahn Winn Khaing Thann. Min Aung Hlaing attended the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Leaders’ Summit in April, where he met with the Thai and Indian prime ministers.
News by Region
KACHIN—The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) confirmed to DVB that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) shot down one of three regime logistics helicopters en route to the Military Operations Command (MOC 21) headquarters in Bhamo Township on Tuesday.
“Our fighters fired at the three helicopters and hit two. One crashed and exploded in the forest, while the other was forced to make an emergency landing in Shwegu town,” Naw Bu, the KIO spokesperson, told DVB. He did not disclose the total number of casualties. Read more.
MANDALAY—The PDF told DVB that five regime troops were killed and four were injured by a resistance drone strike on the Myotha police station in Ngazun Township on Monday. Ngazun is located 44 miles (71 km) west of the region’s capital Mandalay.
The PDF stated that the attack targeted regime forces involved in logistical support for troops engaged in clashes with the PDF in Natogyi Township. Surviving regime troops opened fire indiscriminately on nearby villages, residents told DVB.
ARAKAN/CHINLAND—A merchant from Burma in India told DVB that traders have been unable to import food items, medicine and fuel across the India-Burma border from Mizoram State into the country since May 16. The regime has blocked all trade routes into Arakan since last year.
Mizoram State’s Lawngtlai District Land Revenue and Settlement Department has threatened legal action against anyone involved in cross-border trade into Chinland. The Arakan Army (AA) controls Paletwa Township, which is located on the border with Mizoram.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,430 MMK)
*The original version of this newsletter incorrectly stated that ASEAN invited the regime in Naypyidaw to its 46th summit in Malaysia. We regret the error.
