Chin Brotherhood takes control of Matupi Township
The Chin Brotherhood seized control of Matupi Township, located in southern Chinland, on Saturday. The Chinland Defense Force (CDF) Mindat told DVB that resistance forces have seized all three military outposts of the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) since it launched its attack on June 9.
“We took the last strategic outpost on Saturday and are currently clearing the areas as many landmines were planted in the villages outside of the town. The CDF Matupi will operate the local administration,” said Salai Yan Man, the spokesperson of the People’s Administration of Mindat Township. The military have carried out retaliatory airstrikes and artillery attacks on Matupi.
Chin resistance forces now have 11 towns under its control across Chinland. The Arakan Army (AA) seized control of Paletwa Township in southern Chin in January. Fighting between the Chin Brotherhood and the Chinland Council, which is a provisional government defended by the Chin National Army (CNA), occurred on June 18 but CNA troops withdrew from Matupi on June 24.
Argentine prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for military leaders
A prosecutor in Argentina, who has been investigating the case of genocide against the Rohingya, has petitioned a Argentine court to issue arrest warrants for military leaders. The Burmese Rohingya Organisation UK (BROUK) first filed its case in Argentina in 2019. It was opened in 2021.
“Today we are one more step closer to finally seeing the first ever arrest warrants for Min Aung Hlaing and senior members of the Burmese military,” said Tun Khin, the BROUK president.
He added that the decision to request arrest warrants sends a clear message to the military that it will not be able to escape accountability for its crimes. The case in Argentina is the first opened under universal jurisdiction regarding the Rohingya genocide.
Thai bank denies facilitating military weapons purchases
Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) has denied accusations of facilitating weapons purchases for the military on Thursday. SCB declared that transactions with Burma are “typical business activities,” emphasizing its compliance with anti-money laundering laws and adherence to legal standards.
SCB was responding to a report by Tom Andrews, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on human rights in Burma, which documented 16 international banks linked to military-related purchases since March 2023. His report documented an increase in military procurement through Thai banks,
He stated that transaction values rose at SCB from $5 million USD in March 2023 to $100 million USD in one year. SCB denied this and stated: “The bank conducted an internal investigation. It was found that several transactions made by corporate customers were payments for consumer goods and energy, which are typical business activities.”
News by Region
ARAKAN—Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, announced on June 27 that it had suspended healthcare services in Maungdaw, Buthidaung, and Rathedaung townships in northern Arakan.
It cited “indiscriminate violence, and severe restrictions on humanitarian access” and called on “all parties to the conflict to ensure humanitarian access in Rakhine State and respect the protected status of healthcare facilities and staff.” An MSF office and pharmacy in Buthidaung Township was destroyed by fire in April.
KACHIN—The bodies of two men with multiple stab wounds were discovered in Myitkyina on Saturday. “Pedestrians found them in the town with a note stating ‘Shanni Judiciary Group,’” said a Myitkyina resident. The identities of the victims are unknown but the bodies were taken to the hospital.
MANDALAY—One monk was killed and five were injured when artillery landed on a monastery in Mogok on Thursday. “The shell dropped on the room of the monastery,” a Mogok resident told DVB. Nearby homes were also damaged. A military outpost was seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in western Mogok on June 27.
SAGAING—Twenty people have been killed in Indaw Township during fighting between the military and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) since June 22. “In total, around 20 people have died,” an Indaw resident told DVB. The KIA and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) seized the Nanttar military outpost on June 28. Weapons and ammunition were seized. Residents reported retaliatory airstrikes and artillery attacks.
SHAN—Twenty-two civilians have been killed and at least 30 have been injured by airstrikes and artillery during fighting between the TNLA and the military in Kyaukme, Mogok and Nawnghkio townships, as well as in the TNLA Brigade 2, since June 25. Nearly 3,000 residents are now Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defence stated on Friday that its forces are participating in “Operation as Shan-Man,” which means it is assisting the TNLA in northern Shan as well as Madaya and Mogok townships of Mandalay Region. Resistance forces claimed that over 50 military personnel surrendered.
