Full moon day of Waso at Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda
The east and west stairways leading to Shwedagon Pagoda, one of the most sacred Buddhist temples in Yangon, were reopened for the full moon day of Waso on Saturday, which is a sacred day for Buddhists as it marks the birth of the Buddha and his enlightenment.
“Public areas were packed with more people than usual. Shopping centers and parks were crowded with visitors,” said a Latha Township resident.
Sources told DVB that many pilgrims visiting Yangon’s Shwedagon Pagoda prayed for peace in the country. The number of people visiting Shwedagon Pagoda dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic and following the 2021 military coup.
Myanmar Witness documents over 170 attacks on schools
The Center for Information Resilience’s Myanmar Witness documented 174 attacks on schools and universities in Burma since the 2021 military coup. Education facilities were damaged and destroyed by airstrikes, heavy weapons, ground offensives and fire.
“As the Myanmar military loses ground, we’ve seen airstrikes become an increasing part of their strategy of suppression. We’ve documented the damage to sites with special protections under international law – schools, places of worship, and hospitals,” said Matt Lawrence, the project director at Myanmar Witness.
It also documented reports of 64 fatalities and 106 injuries during all incidents from Feb. 1, 2021 up to April 30, though very few deaths have been verified due to challenges in verifying and geolocating user-generated content from the victims, added Myanmar Witness.
Funeral for woman from Burma killed in Thailand
The funeral of Htet Htet Zaw, who was allegedly killed by her husband, was held in Mae Sot, Thailand on Friday. Her body was kept at the Mae Sot Hospital since she died from a brain hemorrhage in April.
“Those who are subjected to domestic violence cannot rely on the [courts] in Burma. Instead, we must rely on the Thai judiciary. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to seek justice,” said Thinzar Shunlei Yi, an executive member of Sisters 2 Sisters – a women’s rights group.
The funeral ceremony for Htet Htet Zaw was attended by family, friends and human rights activists from Burma living in Thailand. Her husband was transferred from Karen National Union (KNU) custody to the Thai authorities for further investigation on July 7.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Six civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed by artillery in Abal village of Thandwe Township on Friday. Fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military continued in Gyaiktaw village. “The naval base helped fire artillery shells, injured and killed civilians,” said an Abal village resident.
MANDALAY—The military claimed that it had recaptured Singu Township on Saturday after launching an offensive with its Navy and Air Force on Friday. The Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF) spokesperson told DVB that the military was lying.
“It was not easy for us to seize the town, so we are not going to give it up easily. We will do our best to continue to control it,” added the MPDF spokesperson. He claimed Saturday that no military personnel were left in Singu. The MPDF seized control of the town on July 17.
MON—At least 30 people, including civilians and resistance force members, were killed during airstrikes on Kyaikmaraw Township on Friday. Most were killed inside a monastery located in Ngapuinn village, but another attack was reported in Hlwasinkone village.
“The bomb tore people into different pieces. I don’t know the exact number of deaths, but there are at least 30,” said a Kyaikmaraw resident. Regime media reported that an attack was carried out on the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) as it held a meeting at the monastery.
SHAN—At least seven civilians were killed, including Sai Tun Kyi, the secretary of the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and another 20 were injured during an airstrike on Hsenwi market Thursday. Hsenwi has been under the control of the Brotherhood Alliance since January.
“Five to six bombs were dropped. There may still be dead and injured among the ruins,” said a Hsenwi resident. The Brotherhood Alliance member the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) inspected the bombing at Hsenwi market on July 18.
The MNDAA stated on Friday that it has extended the duration of its temporary ceasefire with the military until July 31 at Beijing’s request. It added that anyone in Brotherhood Alliance-controlled areas should be prepared for retaliatory airstrikes.
A source from the China-Burma border told DVB on the condition of anonymity that Beijing has threatened a blockade if the fighting along its border doesn’t end. China reportedly shut down the Kyinsankyawt and Chinshwehaw border gates which have been controlled by the MNDAA, according to traders.
