Eight Myanmar Navy vessels reach Kachin State’s Bhamo
Sources in the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that eight of 17 Burma Navy vessels travelling upstream along the Irrawaddy River arrived in Bhamo Township, southern Kachin State, amid ongoing fighting with resistance forces on Friday. Bhamo is located 118 miles (190 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and 56 miles (90 km) southwest of the KIA headquarters at Laiza.
The KIA source told DVB that at least 24 residents living in villages along the river were killed by retaliatory attacks and airstrikes carried out by the Burma Navy, and Air Force jets accompanying the convoy, since the fleet departed from Mandalay Region on July 17. The KIA claimed that it had managed to destroy five naval vessels from July 27 to Aug. 1. It launched an offensive against regime forces over control of Bhamo on Dec. 4.
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay claimed on July 20 that it sank one boat and set fire to three others, including a warship. Sources told DVB that the Navy used the Irrawaddy River to supply rations and weapons to regime outposts in Tagaung town of Mandalay Region, Htigyaing and Katha towns of Sagaing Region, and Shwegu and Bhamo towns of Kachin State in August 2024.
Sixty-three townships placed under martial law
Min Aung Hlaing declared martial law in 63 townships of Shan, Arakan, Chin, Kachin, Karenni and Karen states, as well as Sagaing, Magway and Mandalay regions on Thursday after the nationwide state of emergency, in place since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, was lifted by the regime in Naypyidaw. The regime was reformed and renamed itself the “National Security and Peace Commission” on July 31.
Min Aung Hlaing appointed himself the chairperson of the new 10-member commission, which is meant to act as an interim administration until elections are held in December and a new government is formed in Burma. A political analyst told DVB on the condition of anonymity that Min Aung Hlaing only relinquished his role as self-appointed Prime Minister.
He will continue in the role as Acting President, which he assumed after Myint Swe stepped down due to health issues last year. Regime deputy Soe Win will continue as deputy chair of the new commission. Min Aung Hlaing’s advisor Nyo Saw, who is chair of the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), was appointed Prime Minister. Read more
At least 16 reported killed during Tropical Storm Wipha
At least 16 people have been killed in Shan State, as well as Yangon and Bago regions during Tropical Storm Wipha, which brought heavy rains that caused flash floods and landslides in Myanmar since July 22. Eight people were killed and over 30 buildings were destroyed when floods and landslides occurred in four villages on July 28 in Pindaya, which is located 43 miles (67 km) northwest of the Shan State capital Taunggyi.
“Floodwaters swept away homes and residents in Kongsaung village,” a resident of Pindaya Township in southern Shan State told DVB on the condition of anonymity. “We urgently need assistance,” he appealed to aid organizations and the regime in Naypyidaw. The storm, which was downgraded from a typhoon after making landfall on July 22, has impacted several countries in the region.
In Burma, flooding was reported from Ayeyarwady and Bago regions, to Karen, Mon, Shan and Arakan states. The U.N. reported on July 31 that more than 85,000 residents have been affected by ongoing floods with homes destroyed, roads cut off, and emergency services overwhelmed in Bago, as well as Karen, and Mon states. Read more
News by Region
MANDALAY—Residents of Mogok told DVB that at least 12 civilians were killed and 16 were injured by an airstrike on Saturday. At least 60 homes were destroyed. Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Mandalay, was seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in July 2024.
“We recovered body parts on the road after the airstrike,” a Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A jet fighter reportedly from Tada-U Air Force base dropped two bombs on a residential area. At least four civilians were killed by airstrikes in Mogok on July 29.
NAYPYIDAW—Sources close to the regime’s prison authorities told DVB that a man was sentenced to life imprisonment on July 31 under Section 50(j) of the Counter-Terrorism Law for allegedly selling goods on behalf of singer Chan Chan, who is accused of funding “terrorist groups.”
The man is one of two arrested and charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code in Mandalay and Yangon for allegedly selling goods on behalf of Chan Chan, a singer wanted by the regime under Section 505(a) for also allegedly sending financial support to resistance groups.
Regime media reported on July 31 that 118 members of resistance groups, such as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the PDF in Mandalay, and Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA), have surrendered to regime forces along with their weapons.
A PDF spokesperson dismissed the report to DVB as “propaganda.” Since July 30, the regime authorities have reportedly sent SMS messages via mobile operators in Burma urging members of the resistance to come forward and surrender “in the national interest.”
SHAN—Pinlaung Township residents told DVB that the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO) has been collecting 500,000 MMK ($112 USD) from each household in Namtote village of Pinlaung Township since July 30. Pinlaung is located 67 miles (107 km) south of Taunggyi.
“Not everyone can afford [to pay the PNO],” a Pinlaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Namtote has 1,000 residents in 200 households who belong to the Pa-O and Intha ethnic nationalities. Residents said that the PNO is using the funds for “military purposes.”
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,465 MMK)
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