Another post-quake aftershock in Mandalay Region
The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that a 4.9 magnitude earthquake — the 205th aftershock since the devastating earthquake over three months ago — struck four miles (6 km) southeast of Pyigyitagon Township in Mandalay Region on Wednesday morning. Mandalay was one of the six hardest-hit regions by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28.
A resident told DVB that they could not sleep throughout the night after being awoken by a tremor that was accompanied by a “thundering roar.” At least 2,916 bodies have been recovered from the quake zone in the Mandalay Region since March 28, according to DVB data. Mandalay is located 15 miles (24 km) east of the earthquake epicenter in Sagaing Region.
Over three months since the quake and 6.3 million people – 11.5 percent of the population – are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance and protection, according to the U.N. The National Unity Government (NUG) stated on June 2 that it had provided 5.5 billion MMK ($1.1 million USD) worth of aid to 19,588 households in five of the hardest hit regions, including Mandalay, Sagaing, Naypyidaw, Magway, and southern Shan.
Regime uses ‘suicide’ drones in Karen State counteroffensive
Sources on the frontline in Karen State told DVB that regime forces have used “suicide” drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that detonate upon impact, in their defence of the Wawlay outpost against the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in southern Myawaddy Township. Myawaddy is located 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
“We noted the regime outpost ran out of artillery,” a source close to the resistance told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that they would capture the outpost within the next seven days. Sources told DVB that KNLA-led resistance forces launched simultaneous attacks on the regime’s Wawlay and Ukarihta outposts on July 3, seizing the latter on July 12.
Over 3,000 residents of Wawlay Myaing and Ukarihta villages reportedly crossed the border into Thailand’s Phop Phra District in Tak Province to flee the fighting. An aid worker told DVB that it would take time to heal the refugees psychologically and that “no one” can guarantee civilians’ safety. Only Wawlay and Htithellel outposts remain under regime control in Myawaddy along the Burma–Thailand border.
Military attempts to reassert control over lost territory
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that regime troops have neared Thabeikkyin town after recapturing 4-Mile village on July 12, during the ongoing counteroffensive to retake Thabeikkyin from the PDF which began in March. Sources told DVB that the regime is using the Burma Navy to reinforce its positions from the Irrawaddy River in Mandalay.
“We learnt that three regime vessels loaded with rations, ammunition and around 200 troops arrived at Simeekhon town on Monday,” U Toe, the PDF spokesperson in Mandalay, told DVB. Another PDF member told DVB that the regime had launched a counteroffensive in Ngazun Township following a simultaneous offensive by the PDF against eight regime outposts in Myingyan District on May 15.
The PDF told DVB that the regime has also launched a counteroffensive to reassert control over Mandalay’s Sintgaing Township, which borders Sagaing Region, since June 17 in an apparent attempt to cut logistic routes to the PDF from Sagaing, Mandalay and Magway regions. Ngazun, Simeekhon and Thabeikkyin are located 40-90 miles (64-144 km) west and north of the region’s capital Mandalay.
News by Region
KACHIN—A PDF member told DVB on Tuesday that pro-regime forces, including the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), recaptured Mongnao and Mamonekai villages of Mohnyin Township, located 97 miles (156 km) southwest of the state capital Myitkyina.
An unknown number of Mongnao residents, who fled to Mamonekai during fighting, are now trapped as pro-regime forces have seized the village, the PDF added. Local media reported that the two villages came under PDF control in 2024.
MANDALAY—Former prisoners at Mogok Prison accused the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) of violating their rights. Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Mandalay, came under TNLA control on July 23, 2024. The town is famed for its ruby mines.
One former prisoner told DVB that TNLA officials denied legal representation. Another claimed prisoners were only fed rice. DVB contacted the TNLA legal department but received no response. Mogok Prison reportedly houses around 200 prisoners.
AYEYARWADY—Residents of Leikchaung village in Hinthada Township told DVB that around 40 homes were flooded on Wednesday. An aid worker told DVB that residents had not been evacuated as continuous rain since Sunday caused the Irrawaddy River to rise rapidly.
The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported that the level of the river was just six inches (15 cm) below the critical threshold for Hinthada Township on Wednesday. Hinthada is located 86 miles (138 km) north of the region’s capital Pathein.
A military source told DVB that four high-ranking commanders at the Southwestern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Pathein Township were handed sentences ranging from 10 years to death after being convicted of bribery on Sunday.
The source claimed that at least 10 other officials are facing trial by the Office of Military Security Affairs. They were accused of accepting bribes from merchants in exchange for allowing the transport of commodities and fuel from Ayeyarwady Region into Arakan State.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,470 MMK)
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