Airstrikes kill 13 civilians in Arakan State
Residents of Rathedaung Township in Arakan State told DVB that airstrikes killed at least 13 civilians and injured over 20 others in Tunrawai village on Tuesday. Rathedaung came under Arakan Army (AA) control on March 17, 2024. It is located 44 miles (71 km) north of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, which is still under regime control.
“Most of the deceased were women and children,” a Rathedaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Another resident told DVB that Rathedaung had been peaceful for the last year and accused the regime of deliberately targeting civilians there. The AA controls 14 out of 17 Arakan townships except Sittwe, Kyaukpyu and Manaung.
The AA, along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)—known collectively as the Brotherhood Alliance—announced a unilateral ceasefire starting on March 30 for earthquake relief, which was extended until May 31.
Another 2 killed and 7 injured by regime in Sagaing Region
At least two residents of Sakhantha village in Wetlet Township of Sagaing Region were killed and seven others were injured by an airstrike carried out by the Burma Air Force on Tuesday, a Wetlet Information Network spokesperson told DVB.
“The same jet carried out another airstrike on Ngapioh village in Shwebo Township a few minutes later,” Nagarlay told DVB, adding that he was unable to confirm the number of casualties in Ngapioh village. Wetlet and Shwebo are located 50-59 miles (80-95 km) east and northeast of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.
A People’s Defence Force (PDF) member in Wetlet Township told DVB that there was no ongoing fighting with regime forces in the township. Residents of Ywartawgon village in Wetlet told DVB that eight civilians were killed by airstrikes on Saturday. The regime announced its unilateral ceasefire April 2-30, which it renewed from May 6-31.
Mandalay monastery receives no assistance from Naypyidaw
A Buddhist monk at the Mogaung Monastery in Mandalay Region told DVB that they had still not received any assistance from the regime in Naypyidaw to rebuild buildings destroyed by the earthquake. Mandalay, located 15 miles (24 km) east of the earthquake epicenter in Sagaing Region, reported at least 2,916 deaths, according to DVB data.
“We will have to rely on individual donors for restoration,” Dhamma Dipatra Linkara told DVB. The earthquake destroyed 35 buildings within the monastery compound. The monk added that since March 28 everyone living at the Mogaung Monastery has been sleeping in temporary shelters with only palm branches to protect them from the elements.
The National Unity Government (NUG) has reported that the earthquake caused damage to 5,324 religious buildings, including Buddhist temples, mosques, and churches, either partially or completely. The regime has calculated that 3,094 monasteries and nunneries, and 5,275 pagodas were destroyed on March 28.
News by Region
TANINTHARYI—A group calling itself the Ba Htoo Army told DVB on Tuesday that it had detained 40 Rohingya after a boat they were traveling in landed on a beach in Launglon Township on May 9. Longlone is located 12 miles (19 km) south of the region’s capital Dawei.
“They were detained under conditions that adhere to human rights. We are currently in contact with individuals and organizations who can provide assistance to them,” the Ba Htoo Army’s information officer told DVB. He added that the 40 Rohingya had been deported from India.
AYEYARWADY—A resident of Yekyi Township told DVB on the condition of anonymity that AA-led resistance forces launched three attacks on regime guard posts near Artillery Battalion 344 in Myauksan village over the past two weeks. Yekyi is located 53 miles (85 km) north of the region’s capital Pathein.
Sources told DVB that at least 10 retaliatory airstrikes were carried out on resistance forces at the Kyauktaung Bway hill, located seven miles (11 km) from Myauksan village, on Sunday. The Yenantha checkpoint has restricted access along the road connecting Ayeyarwady to Arakan State in Ngathaingchaung town.
SHAN—Residents of Nawnghkio Township reported that seven houses were destroyed by an airstrike on Tuesday. Nawnghkio is located 95 miles (154 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio. It has been under the control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) since July.
“The explosion we heard last night was extremely powerful. People have been evacuating the area since peace talks failed,” a Nawnghkio resident told SHAN, referring to the China-brokered ceasefire talks between the regime and the TNLA, which ended on April 29.
Four people, including a five-year-old child, were killed by an artillery artillery attack on Nawnghkio on Thursday. The death toll rose to 10 after six others who were injured died at the hospital while receiving medical treatment, SHAN reported.
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