Malaysia offers to host Min Aung Hlaing over refugee deal
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday that he would invite Burma’s regime leader Min Aung Hlaing for an official visit in return for his military-backed administration accepting the repatriation of thousands of refugees, including Rohingya, from Malaysia. Min Aung Hlaing was inaugurated Burma’s president on April 10.
Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia, like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), was not ready to recognize Min Aung Hlaing’s regime as the government in Naypyidaw, but needed an authority to negotiate with on refugee repatriation. Min Aung Hlaing has made visits to ASEAN member states Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam since July.
“We, following ASEAN, don’t want direct relations with Myanmar. So who are we supposed to negotiate with?” Anwar said during a podcast, Malaysian media reported. “I invited him to say we can be friends, we can trade, we can accept Myanmar, but Myanmar must accept [refugees] back.” Malaysia plans to repatriate 1,500 refugees to Burma on Sept. 29.
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IIMM thanks UN member states for supporting human rights
The U.N. Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) expressed its appreciation for support from the European Union (E.U.), Czech Republic, Iceland, Maldives, Malta, South Africa, Pakistan, and Japan holding the military in Burma accountable at the 63rd Session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday.
Addressing the Council, IIMM Head Nicholas Koumjian emphasized the imperative of upholding international legal standards against military impunity in Burma. “War crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide cannot be tolerated. It’s not up to States to decide for sits what the law will be. We need your support,” stated Koumjian in Geneva on Sept 15.
The IIMM added that its growing repository of evidence—drawn from more than 1,600 sources and 750 witness testimonies—is actively being shared with international tribunals, including the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ). In response, the regime issued a statement on Sept. 7 rejecting the IIMM’s 2026 Annual Report and denying the mandate of its investigation.
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US businessperson deported from Myanmar after months in jail
Adam Castillo, a U.S. businessperson and former president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Burma (AmCham Myanmar), was deported after three months in jail on “trumped-up charges” on Wednesday. Castillo was flown out of Naypyidaw “in consideration of the friendly relations between Myanmar and the United States” on Sept. 16.
Castillo was charged with breach of trust over allegations he had violated the regulations of AmCham Myanmar. Regime media never reported a trial, or whether the charges had been dismissed. Global Reach, a Washington-based nonprofit that assists Americans locked up abroad, which helped Castillo’s family with his case, confirmed the release.
“We are thrilled to see Adam coming home and are grateful for the collaboration and efforts from the Trump Administration,” said Mickey Bergman, the Global Reach CEO. Castillo, 40, was released into the custody of U.S. officials. “I can’t wait to welcome my brother home, but I know it will be bittersweet for him,” said Amanda Castillo in a statement.
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News by Region
BAGO—Residents in Oktwin Township’s Shwelaung village told DVB that artillery fired by regime forces killed seven civilians and injured another two on Tuesday. Oktwin, located 119 miles (191 km) north of Bago, has been contested by the People’s Defence Force (PDF) under National Unity Government (NUG) command since November.
One Shwelaung village resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that villagers were evacuated after the regime counteroffensive began on Sept. 15. Regime forces have reportedly taken up positions in the village. Oktwin’s Shwelaung village is located along the Yangon-Mandalay highway.
KARENNI—At least 12 civilians, including an unknown number of children, have been killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force since Sept. 1. “The attacks were aimed at creating fear among civilians, disrupting their livelihoods,” Banyar Aung, the Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) Secretary-2, told DVB.
From Sept. 14-16, two civilians were killed during an airstrike in Demoso Township, which is located 11 miles (17 km) south of the state capital Loikaw. At least five civilians, including a child, were killed by airstrikes in Loikaw and Shadaw townships from Sept. 4-6. Read more details on our website
SAGAING—One Buddhist monk was killed and five civilians were injured by artillery when it struck a Buddhist monastery in Shwebo Township’s Nama Sayit village on Wednesday. Resistance forces blamed the regime for the attack, which was followed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force.
At least seven other civilians were injured by the airstrikes at a temporary shelter housing Shwebo residents who’d fled their homes during a renewed regime counteroffensive. Three counteroffensives have been launched by regime forces to retake Shwebo from resistance forces. Read the full article on our website
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