Four years of aid to displaced residents of Karenni State
A non-profit organization calling itself Dove KK celebrated its fourth anniversary on Monday. It has provided humanitarian aid to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), who have fled their homes since fighting spread after the 2021 military coup, and now live at camps in resistance-controlled areas of Karenni and Shan states. The group also provides healthcare and education to the IDPs.
“We have established a clinic for civilians and resistance fighters,” the spokesperson told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The Dove KK organization runs vocational schools providing English language training and has set up libraries with donated books in the IDP camps across Karenni and southern Shan.
At least 180,000 IDPs — more than 40 percent of the estimated total population of 420,000 — are unable to return home due to the conflict between resistance and regime forces, according to a report published by Karenni civil society in February 2023. The KK Dove organization relies on monthly donations to carry out its humanitarian work.
Regime forces struggle to retake village in northern Shan State
Frontline sources in northern Shan State told DVB that a regime column has engaged in fighting with Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) led resistance forces in Kangyi village, which is located eight miles (12 km) south of Nawnghkio Township, since June 6. Nawnghkio came under TNLA control on July 10 and is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the region’s capital Lashio.
“The situation is like a tug of war. [Regime forces] withdrew from some areas for now,” a TNLA source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Zin Yaw, a Burma Army defector and member of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), told DVB that regime troops regrouped at Shwemothtaw village, located three miles (4 km) south of Kangyi. He added that it would be difficult to seize Kangyi without air support.
Zin Yaw told DVB that the second regime column positioned at Nawnghkio Gyi village, located six miles (9 km) east of Kangyi, is unable to advance unless Kangyi falls. Sources told DVB that the TNLA might hand over Nawnghkio to regime control after it ordered the People’s Defence Force (PDF) to withdraw from the town. China-brokered peace talks between the TNLA and the regime held April 28-29 failed.
Civil society marks resumption of conflict in Kachin State
Twenty-four civil society organizations in Kachin State issued a press release on Monday marking the 14th anniversary of renewed conflict between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Burma Army since the end of the 1994-2011 ceasefire. The 2021 military coup has led to a significant increase in hostilities in Kachin, with fighting spreading since the KIA launched its state-wide offensive on March 7, 2024.
The U.N. has documented that there are over 233,000 IDPs in Kachin but the press release on June 9 from the 24 Kachin groups claimed that the number is likely higher due to unregistered IDPs living in informal settlements rather than formal IDP camps. It added that cuts to humanitarian aid in Kachin, as well as to the rest of Burma, has compounded the crisis.
The 24 Kachin groups call on the international community to increase and localize humanitarian assistance, to prioritize civilian protection, and to continue supporting efforts to find sustainable solutions for Burma. The KIA has seized 14 towns in Kachin, as well as Mabein in northern Shan State, since March 2024. The regime controls the state capital Myitkyina, as well as Mogaung, Mohnyin, Putao, and Waingmaw.
News by Region
NAYPYIDAW—The Union Election Commission (UEC) approved the registration of the Rakhine Nationalities Party. It is led by Ba Shein, a former Lower House lawmaker for Kyaukphyu Township and a former member of the Arakan National Party (ANP).
The ANP was not allowed to re-register for the regime elections by the UEC. The new party is reportedly composed of former ANP members, businesspeople and political activists. The UEC has approved 17 out of 27 groups that have applied to establish a political party.
SAGAING—The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) told DVB that it shot down a jet over Palel Township on Tuesday. Palel is 39 miles (62 km) south of the region’s capital Monywa, where the regime’s Northwestern Regional Military Command (RMC) is headquartered.
Ni Ni Kyaw, the PLA General Secretary, said that its forces have been attempting to seize the regime’s police station in Palel’s Kandaung village since June 2. The regime has carried out 778 air and artillery attacks since it declared a temporary ceasefire. Read more.
ARAKAN—Four civilians, including a 12-year-old girl, were killed and 10 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on two schools providing temporary shelter to IDPs in Thandwe Township on Saturday.
The Arakan Army (AA) gained control of Thandwe on Sept. 5, following the seizure of the regime’s Maung Shwe Lay naval base on Aug. 28. Thandwe is located 584 miles (939 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, which is under regime control along with Kyaukphyu and Manaung.
KAREN—Kawkareik Township residents told DVB that five civilians, including three children and one teacher, were killed and 22 others were injured by an airstrike that hit a home being used as a temporary school in Pangyap village on Monday.
Kawkareik is located 101 miles (162 km) southeast of the state capital Hpa-An. “We had just moved the school [to the home] that morning,” a resident told DVB. Eight bombs were dropped and three homes were destroyed during the airstrike, according to residents.
