Military responds to resistance gains in Chinland
The military conducted retaliatory airstrikes and arson attacks in Tedim Township on Monday after its outpost there was seized in an attack led by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) Zoland. Residents counted 20 airstrikes and 30 homes burned down, Chin World reported.
“We captured the station they were deployed at. There were about 20 soldiers there. Nine have been captured. The PDF led the attack by Chin allied groups,” a PDF Zoland spokesperson told DVB.
Around 10,000 Tedim residents have become displaced from their homes due to the fighting. The Chin National Army (CNA) launched an offensive in neighboring Tonzang Township earlier this month and captured the towns of Tonzang and Kyikha (Cikha) on May 19.
Regime refuses to respond to UN investigation team
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) stated on Monday that the military regime in Naypyidaw has refused to respond to its enquiries about alleged human rights abuses committed by both the military and other armed groups in Burma.
“I urge the Myanmar military to fully cooperate with the Mechanism, as called for in numerous resolutions by the United Nations Human Rights Council and the General Assembly, by giving us access to the country and sharing requested information,” said Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the IIMM team.
He recently enquired about a video that showed two alleged resistance fighters being burned alive by a pro-military militia in Myaukkhinyan village of Magway Region last November. The IIMM was established by the U.N. Human Rights Council in 2018 to investigate international crimes that are being committed in Burma.
People’s Goal encourages new military conscripts to desert
Thinzar Shunlei Yi, an executive member of a group advocating and supporting military defectors called People’s Goal, spoke to DVB. She said that the number of defections, surrenders and desertions from the military has been unprecedented since the 2021 coup.
“We suspect the actual number on the ground could be a lot higher. It could be like two times [higher] because there are so many soldiers who don’t trust revolutionary groups, or the National Unity Government for their own safety,” she said. The NUG has verified 14,000 military defectors.
A United States Institute of Peace (USIP) report released this month stated that the military has lost 21,000 service members through casualties, desertion and defection since 2021. Through its military conscription law, the regime has trained at least 5,000 new recruits since April, and seeks to have 5,000 added to its ranks per month. Thinzar Shunlei Yi added that she hopes many of the new recruits will become military deserters.
News by Region
YANGON—Anti-coup protesters said they were shot at by soldiers in Hlaing Township on May 26. A group called Yangon UG said three of its members hung a banner that read: “Only justice will win” from an overpass and burned a copy of the 2008 constitution. The protesters said they all escaped from the gunfire unharmed and evaded arrest.
ARAKAN—The military regime has threatened to cut the wages of teachers in northern Arakan State who do not return to their schools. Enrollment for the upcoming academic year began on May 23. A teacher from the state capital Sittwe said that those who do not return may have three months of wages cut from their salaries.
“They ordered us to arrive within this month and assured us that roads would be opened for teachers. However, it was also reported that these roads will be closed again once everyone has arrived,” added the teacher. Sittwe is under military control. The Arakan Army (AA) has seized 11 towns since it launched an offensive against the military on Nov. 13.
MAGWAY—At least five Pakokku PDF members were killed during a Burma Army raid on its camp located in a village of Pakokku Township on May 25. Another six PDF members were reportedly arrested and then killed after the raid. The whereabouts of the remaining PDF members at the camp is unknown.
NAYPYIDAW—The regime’s Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) issued a warning on May 24 that those engaged in “illegal foreign currency trading and speculation” would be prosecuted under the Foreign Exchange Management Law and sections of the Penal Code related to harming public interest.
The CBM told banks to adhere to its rules and regulations when conducting foreign currency exchange. It took action against 16 businesses that allegedly exchanged foreign currency on Facebook without a license. The value of the kyat has depreciated in the past week with 4,300 kyat being worth $1 USD on Tuesday.
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