Regime extends nationwide state of emergency
The military regime’s National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) announced that it is extending the state of emergency a sixth time during a meeting in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. It claimed that the extension was needed to give the regime time to stabilize the country before elections could be held.
Min Aung Hlaing assumed the duties of president, which includes the powers to extend the state of emergency as NDSC executive, on July 22. Acting President Myint Swe took medical leave to receive treatment for “neurological disorders and peripheral neuropathy,” regime media reported on July 18.
This is the sixth extension of the state of emergency since the 2021 military coup. Under the military-drafted 2008 constitution, elections must be held within six months of the lifting of the state of emergency. Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to hold an election in 2025.
US lawmakers urge State Department to revisit Burma policy
A group of U.S. senators sent a letter to the State Department to develop new policies to help end the conflict since the 2021 coup and support Burma’s democratic forces on Tuesday. The group includes Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who is the chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“As the risk rises of a prolonged stalemate in the conflict, resulting in a permanently fragmented state, it is imperative that the U.S. government has a comprehensive and forward leaning strategy on Burma. We urgently need a revitalized approach, which will better support resistance forces within the country who are courageously standing up to the brutality of the military junta,” stated the letter.
The U.S. senators called on the State Department to impose stronger sanctions on Naypyidaw, including the aviation sector. They expressed concern about China’s increasing influence over Burma. U.S. President Joe Biden signed the BURMA Act, which authorizes the U.S. to provide non-lethal aid to resistance forces.
Calls for Beijing to stop supporting Naypyidaw
The New York City Burmese Community (NYCBC) called on Beijing to stop supporting the regime on Tuesday. It held a protest in front of the Office of the Permanent Representative of China to the U.N. in New York.
Protesters chanted slogans and held signs stating: “China stop supporting the military” and “No broker can put a price on the people’s revolution.” The NYCBC sent an open letter to the Permanent Mission of China to the U.N. A solidarity protest was held in front of China’s Embassy in Washington DC on July 31.
News by Region
CHINLAND—The Chinland Defense Force-Hakha (CDF-Hakha) ordered pet owners in Hakha to remove their dogs from the town before Aug. 1. “Their barking seems to alert Burma Army soldiers when revolutionary comrades are working on public security and military affairs at night,” a CDF member told DVB.
It added that action would be taken against pet owners if they do not comply with the order. “People should cooperate with the CDF without complaint. I am thinking of taking my dog far away and abandoning it,” a Hakha resident said.
AYEYARWADY—The Pyabon Prison court sentenced Than Lwin, the former chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party for Chaungdwin village, and two civilians, to 20 years for violating the Counter-Terrorism Law on Monday.
“We have been told that they will be transferred to Pathein Prison,” said a source close to the Pyabon Prison. Regime forces arrested the three at the home of a village chief in Pyabon Township on Dec. 11.
MON—Three people living in Bilin and Ye townships drowned in flood waters July 27-28. “The flooding is still going on and people need to be careful,” said a rescue worker. Bilin, Thaton, Paung, Thanbyuzayat and Ye townships have been affected by flooding. More than 5,000 residents are in need of emergency assistance.
YANGON—Motorists have formed queues at gas stations as the city has faced a fuel shortage since Monday. “It is difficult to buy 95 and 92 Ron, lately. I think the fuel stations don’t want to sell fuel at low prices as the USD exchange rate is on the rise. I saw that some stations are temporarily closed,” said a taxi driver in Yangon.
The regime’s Petroleum Products Regulatory Department on Tuesday set the price of one liter of 92 Ron at 2,630 kyat, one liter of 95 Ron at 2,750 kyat, and one liter of premium diesel at 2,770 kyat. Fuel prices have gone down over the last week despite the kyat continuing to depreciate in value.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 5,370 kyat)
