Police to arrest anyone involved in ‘Flower Strike’
Sources close to the police in Burma told DVB that the regime in Naypyidaw has ordered the arrest of anyone caught participating in a “Flower Strike” to mark the 81st birthday of jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi on June 19. Over the last five years, netizens have shared photos with flowers on Aung San Suu Kyi’s birthday to raise awareness of her detention since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021.
A source in the regime’s Yangon Region Police told DVB on the condition of anonymity that plainclothes police officers will be deployed to pedestrian bridges, markets, pagodas, and shopping malls to monitor any activity suspected to be associated with the “Flower Strike” up to June 19. This involves “wearing or sharing flowers in public and posting photos of flowers on social media,” the source added.
Aung San Suu Kyi was reportedly moved from Naypyidaw Prison to house arrest at an undisclosed location in the capital on April 30 following a reduction to her sentence. Her son, Kim Aris, launched a global fitness and solidarity campaign called the “81 for 81” challenge June 1-19 as a part of the global “Proof of Life” campaign demanding Burma provide independent verification that Aung San Suu Kyi is still alive.
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Last vestiges of NLD party headquarters in Yangon removed
Residents of Yangon’s Bahan Township told DVB that regime authorities removed the National League for Democracy (NLD) party signboard and flagpole at its headquarters, located at No. 97B West Shwegondaing Road, on Friday. The NLD was dissolved by the regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) for “failing to re-register” in 2023 despite all party members being driven underground or into exile to avoid arrest.
A Bahan resident, who witnessed the incident, told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime soldiers arrived late at night to take down the remaining vestiges of the NLD party from the building that housed its base of operations from its establishment in 1988 up to the 2021 coup. The NLD central committee did not respond to a DVB request for comment.
The NLD has documented that regime authorities have damaged or destroyed its party’s office buildings nationwide “167 times” since 2021. It added that homes belonging to 261 NLD members and 199 Members of Parliament (MPs), elected in 2020 but ousted during the coup, have been confiscated, while 118 NLD members and eight elected MPs have been killed by pro-regime forces.
Military retakes village along Myanmar-India trade route
A regime counteroffensive against resistance forces recaptured Yazagyo village and its namesake dam in Sagaing Region’s Kalay Township from the People’s Defence Force (PDF) over the course of Saturday and Sunday, regime media reported. No casualties were reported by the PDF. The regime doesn’t disclose its casualty figures. Kalay is located 144 miles (231 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.
The PDF is accused of forced recruitment, extortion, and building bunkers in civilian buildings such as homes, schools, and religious buildings in Yazagyo village after it was seized in 2022. The regime added that this is part of its ongoing counteroffensive to retake control over the 81-mile (130 km) long Kalay-Tamu road which lies on the trade route with northeastern India’s Moreh town in Manipur State.
Manipur’s Moreh sits adjacent to Sagaing’s Tamu town, which is partially controlled by the PDF under National Unity Government (NUG) command. The NUG administers Sagaing’s Khampat, Shwe Pyi Aye, Myothit and Pinlebu towns. Regime forces regained control of Mawlu town on May 5, and Indaw town on April 30 from the NUG/PDF.
News by Region
BAGO—Residents of Letpadan Township in Thayawaddy District told DVB that five civilians were shot to death by unknown armed gunmen in their homes on June 10. Letpadan, located 89 miles (143 km) northwest of the region’s capital Bago, is partially controlled by the PDF.
A PDF member told DVB that it is investigating the murders as Thayawaddy District is home to both pro-regime militias and various resistance forces. A Letpadan resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the five killed had no ties to any armed pro-regime or resistance groups.
CHIN—An unknown number of homes were destroyed in Mindat Township after six bombs were dropped by the Burma Air Force on Saturday, residents told DVB. No casualties were reported. Mindat, located 127 miles (275 km) south of the state capital Hakha, was seized by the Chin Brotherhood in 2024.
Mindat residents claimed that daily regime airstrikes have forced thousands of residents to flee their homes. At least 25 rounds of airstrikes have been documented in Mindat June 8-13, sources told DVB. Fighting between Chin and regime forces has been ongoing since 2,000 troops arrived on May 12.
KACHIN—Residents of Hpakant Township told DVB that heavy rain has triggered floods due to “poor drainage” since June 10. One resident reported that the Uru river hasn’t breached its critical threshold. Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the state capital Myitkyina and the KIA headquarters of Laiza.
Independent meteorologist Soe Khun Arkar forecast on June 13 that more rainfall was expected in Hpakant over the next 48 hours. Over 31,000 residents living in low-lying areas of Myitkyina Township were evacuated from their homes due to flooding that damaged 45 wards and 29 villages in 2025.
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