Arakan Army Commander Twan Mrat Naing speaks

The Arakan Army (AA) Commander-in-Chief Twan Mrat Naing denies accusations that his troops targeted Rohingya civilians during an exclusive interview with The Irrawaddy. Human rights groups and residents have accused the AA of killing dozens of Rohingya along the Naf River in Maungdaw Township, northern Arakan State, on Aug. 5. 

“Even if we intended to harm the Muslims, we wouldn’t do it on the bank of the Naf River where the international community could see. If that were our goal, we would have done it in the mountains between Buthidaung and Maungdaw,” Twan Mrat Naing told The Irrawaddy founder Aung Zaw. “How could we possibly kill them in front of witnesses?” he asked.

When questioned about the international response to the alleged killing of Rohingya civilians as they were attempting to flee the fighting between the AA and the military to seek refuge in Bangladesh, Twan Mrat Naing said that he has considered holding discussions with civil society groups. “But now it’s clear that they are openly siding with the enemy,” he added.

Over 1,000 women killed by military since 2021 coup

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has documented that at least 1,132 women have been killed by the military since the coup on Feb. 1, 2021. It added that a total of 5,649 women have been arrested.

“Women across the country have taken a leading role in protests against the military dictatorship. Despite facing dire consequences, namely arbitrary arrest, killing, torture, and sexual violence for these acts of defiance, their bravery and relentless efforts in the fight for truth during the Spring Revolution deserves commendation,” stated the AAPP. 

Women make up 20 percent of those that have been killed and 20.7 percent of those arrested for political reasons since the 2021 military coup, states  AAPP data. It added that it is verifying the actual death toll and that the number killed may be much higher. 

Min Aung Hlaing makes surprise visit to Karenni State capital

The Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Deputy Commander-in-Chief Maui Pho Thaike told DVB that his troops fired artillery shells at the Karenni State capital Loikaw during Min Aung Hlaing’s visit to the Regional Control Command there on Wednesday. He was reportedly not injured.

“I think [Min Aung Hlaing[ is trying to reorganize his army and persuade people to return to the city under [military] administration. He talked about reconstructing buildings destroyed by our revolutionary forces, to begin the census, and persuade people living in areas controlled by us to return,” he added. 

Regime media reported that Min Aung Hlaing met with his officials in Loikaw. He also met with Aung Kyaw Khine, the head of the Regional Control Command. The KNDF launched Operation 1111 in an attempt to seize Loikaw on Nov. 11, but the military was able to regain control of the Karenni State capital by July. The military launched a counteroffensive last month against the KNDF in Demoso, which is located 11 miles (18 km) south of Loikaw.

News by Region

KARENNI—Two civilians were killed and an unknown number were injured during an airstrike by the military on Nanmaekhon town in Demoso Township on Wednesday. “We had to hide inside a bunker as two aircraft dropped bombs and fired rounds of shots,” said a Nanmaekhone resident.

KAREN—The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the military were engaged in battle over an outpost in Myawaddy Township, located  near the Thai-Burma border, on Wednesday. The KNLA has been trying to seize the military outpost since March. 

“The military fired heavy artillery indiscriminately during the fighting,” a KNLA source told DVB. “We can hear the sounds of both small and large weapons,” said a Myawaddy Township resident. There have been no reported casualties. KNLA-led forces seized the vital border trade town for 12 days in April. 

MANDALAY—A resistance group calling itself the Brave Warriors for Myanmar claimed that seven military personnel, including three officers, were killed after it fired missiles at the Central Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters in Aungmyaythazan Township on Tuesday. 

“Seven people, including the personal security officer of [regime] deputy Soe Win, were killed according to our informant,” a spokesperson of the group told DVB. It claimed that Soe Win was inside the Central RMC during the attack, but that he was not injured and returned to Naypyidaw. Mandalay residents said that one man was injured and three homes were damaged during the attack.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) claimed that it has been taking care of 138 elephants and their mahouts that have been involved in timber production for the regime’s Forest Department, which is under the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry, in Singu and Thabeikkyin townships of northern Mandalay Region since July 10. 

“We are keeping them safe in forests within areas under our control,” a PLA spokesperson told DVB. It promises to return the 138 elephants and their mahouts when all power in the country is returned to an elected civilian government. The People’s Defense Force (PDF) and Brotherhood Alliance launched a joint offensive in the Mandalay Region on June 25.

YANGON—Anti-coup protest groups called the Four Groups of Yangon Revolutionary Brothers staged a flash mob protest against China in Yangon on Wednesday. The protestors wore masks, burned the Chinese flag, and held banners that read: “If we burn, you burn with us”. 

“We staged this protest on behalf of the people and in response to China sending a threat to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army,” a spokesperson told DVB. The TNLA Secretary-General Tar Bhone Kyaw told DVB that Beijing sent a letter demanding the TNLA cease its offensive against the military in northern Shan State on Aug. 29.