Regime seeks ‘help’ to hold elections in Shan State
Sources close to the regime in Naypyidaw told DVB that a delegation led by Shan State Chief Minister Aung Aung met with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Pangsang, the capital of the Wa Self-Administered Division in northern Shan, as well as the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) in Mongla, located in the Eastern Shan State Special Region 4, on Aug. 6-7.
“Regime delegates promised assistance in regional development in exchange for cooperation [in holding the December elections],” a military source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The source added that the regime is “concerned” with the lack of control it has in eastern and northern Shan. The Pa-O National Organization (PNO) reportedly pledged to assist the regime with elections in southern Shan.
Pangsang is located 265 miles (426 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi. Mongla is located 336 miles (540 km) east of Taunggyi. Namtu, Mabein, Kutkai, Namkham, Hsenwi, Kunlong, Namhsan, Manton, Hopang, Laukkai, Konkyan, Momeik, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mongla in northern and eastern Shan were among 63 townships placed under martial law by Ming Aung Hlaing on July 31.
Over 130,000 displaced by floods and landslides
Residents of Than Daung Gyi Township in Karen State and Kyaukme Township in northern Shan State told DVB that a total of 11 have been killed by floods and landslides after two drowned on Aug. 6 in Kyaukme and nine were killed in eight villages of Than Daung Gyi August 4–5.
Nearly 100,000 residents were displaced from their homes after flooding in 177 villages, according to the Karen National Union (KNU). It added that over 34,250 acres of farmland in Nyaunglebin Township of Bago Region has been inundated by flood water from July 23 to Aug. 6 in areas under KNU control.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported Aug. 6 that at least 16 people have been killed and four remain missing after floods across Bago and Sagaing regions, as well as Karen, Kareni, Mon, Arakan and Shan states. Over 131,000 people have been affected by flooding with damage to infrastructure, homes, and farmland.
General Aung San statue removed in Bago Region
Residents of Bago Township in Bago Region told DVB that the statue of Burma’s independence hero General Aung San was removed by the local authorities on Aug. 7. The statue had stood for more than 30 years and served as a venue for public events, according to residents. Aung San is the father of the jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
“The power went out around 11 p.m. When morning came, the statue was gone,” a resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The source added that security was tightened around the town as Aug. 8 is when residents commemorate the “8888” Uprising for democracy in Burma. This year was the 37th anniversary of the “8888” Uprising but events were only reported in resistance-controlled areas.
Regime authorities reportedly carried out the removal of another Aung San statue in Naypyidaw’s Pobbathiri Township on July 28. They were also accused of demolishing the Aung San statue in Mandalay’s Thazi town on Oct. 9. Aung San was assassinated, along with seven other pre-independence leaders and a security guard, in Yangon on July 19, 1947.
News by Region
MANDALAY—Residents of Mogok Township told DVB that five civilians, including a Buddhist novice under the age of 20, were killed and four others were injured by an airstrike on a monastery on Saturday. Mogok is located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Mandalay.
A Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that five homes were destroyed. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed one man was injured and seven homes were destroyed by an airstrike on Hsipaw in northern Shan. Both Mogok and Hsipaw are under TNLA control.
KACHIN—Residents of Hpakant Township told DVB that hundreds have relocated temporarily to the state capital Myitkyina due to fighting between regime forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) since Aug. 5. Hpakant is located 94 miles (151 km) west of Myitkyina.
Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, told DVB that they will support displaced people. A resident told DVB that religious organizations helped them to relocate to Myitkyina. At least 60 residents have been killed in Hpakant since regime forces reached Lonekhin village on May 28.
AYEYARWADY—At least 150 military conscripts, who completed military training during the 13th intake of conscripts, in Ayeyarwady have been deployed to Mandalay since Aug. 5, according to sources close to regime authorities. An estimated 70,000 have been conscripted in 14 intakes.
“Since the military has retaken territory in the Mandalay Region, they need reinforcements and are sending new conscripts,” a source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Regime forces took full control of Mandalay’s Thabeikkyin Township from the resistance on July 23.
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