Mandalay’s Thabeikkyin comes under regime control
Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing’s office in Naypyidaw announced its forces had taken full control of Thabeikkyin town on Wednesday with sources on the frontline in Mandalay Region reporting to DVB that regime forces have only entered the town. Thabeikkyin, located 90 miles (144 km) north of the region’s capital Mandalay, came under People’s Defence Force (PDF) control in August.
“I think the regime troops entered Thabeikkyin to retrieve the rations from a military vessel,” a resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A Burma Navy fleet consisting of five warships and several cargo boats has been travelling upstream along the Irrawaddy River since July 17. It came under attack by the PDF on Sunday. One of the boats sank and three others, including a warship, caught fire.
PDF-led resistance forces seized most of Thabeikkyin in August except for the Advanced Training Depot 13 near Twinnge village, the Basic Military Training Camp 2 in 7-Mile village, and technical units stationed in Kyaukkyi village, which have all remained under regime control. Regime forces launched its counteroffensive against the PDF to retake Thabeikkyin in March.
Bago town flooded as Sittaung River dam
Residents of Nyaunglebin Township in Bago Region told DVB that the Sittaung River surpassed Madauk town’s critical threshold by four feet (121 cm) on Wednesday. This caused the Payarzu dam to break and the flooding of the town. Madauk is located 60 miles (96 km) north of the region’s capital Bago.
“The dam was eroded by the [flood] water over the previous year. There has been little maintenance done [since then],” a Madauk resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that the floodwaters are at least five feet high. Another Madauk resident told DVB that an evacuation from homes in low-lying areas has already begun.
Residents told DVB that it has been raining continuously since July 20 and that it is usual for the Sittaung River to overflow in July and August every year. The regime Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported on Thursday that the levels of the Sittaung River will increase to over one foot (30 cm) in the next 24 hours.
At least five killed during Tropical Storm Wipha
Rescue teams and residents of Yangon’s Botahtaung and Dala townships told DVB that three people are missing or feared dead after a motorboat carrying 10 passengers capsized in the Yangon River on Thursday. Regime media reported that two residents of Mongpauk town in eastern Shan State were killed due to flooding on July 23.
“The weather was terrible this morning. A whirlwind caused the boat to overturn, and it also damaged a nearby housing complex,” a rescue team member told DVB. The Fire Services Department states that strong winds and floods have impacted townships in Karen and Shan states, as well as Tanintharyi, Bago, Yangon, Mandalay, and Sagaing regions.
Rains triggered by Tropical Storm Wipha caused the Thaungyin River to breach its banks in Karen State on Wednesday. The Shwegyin River in Bago Region was expected to surpass its danger level today. The U.N. has raised concerns about the worsening humanitarian situation in the country due to the annual monsoon season, particularly for those displaced from their homes since the March 28 earthquake.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Residents of the 14 townships under Arakan Army (AA) control told DVB that the rate of Starlink satellite internet use went from 10,000 to 2,000 MMK per hour ($2.2-0.4 USD). Civilians can access Starlink internet only at designated AA offices.
A resident told DVB that the lower rates has led to a nearly threefold increase in users, which in turn has slowed internet connection speeds. The AA reportedly cut off telecommunication services in its territory due to fears of regime airstrikes.
KACHIN—Residents told DVB that pro-regime forces, including the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), detained at least 15 civilians to “use as porters” in Mongnao and Mamonekai villages of Mohnyin Township, located 97 miles (156 km) southwest of the state capital Myitkyina.
A resident told DVB that ethnic Kachin people are being “strictly” inspected at SNA-controlled checkpoints on the Indawgyi-Hpakant road. Anti-regime forces, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), reportedly withdrew from the two villages on July 15.
MAGWAY—Residents of Pakkoku Township have accused regime forces of killing at least three civilians and setting fire to 150 homes in two villages since July 14. Pakkoku is located 72 miles (115 km) south of the region’s capital Monywa.
Pro-democracy activist Soe Htut told DVB that a regime column consisted of around 200 troops. An All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) spokesperson told DVB that it attacked the column on July 20 but did not disclose any casualty figures.
SHAN—Aid workers in Hsihseng Township told DVB that over 1,000 people displaced from their homes and living at Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps since June are in urgent need of food. Hsihseng is located 53 miles (85 km) south of the state capital Taunggyi.
An aid worker told DVB on the condition of anonymity that charity groups in southern Shan State are unable to access the IDP camps to provide assistance due to security reasons, as they are under the control of the pro-regime Pa-O National Organization (PNO).
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,440 MMK)
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