National League for Democracy member freed from Lashio Prison
Maung Maung Swe, the spokesperson for the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defense, told DVB that more than 200 political prisoners were released from Lashio Prison on Sunday. A source from the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) told local media that it is vetting the prisoners after it took control of the prison.
“The situation like this has never existed in the past, and I would say victory for the people is approaching,” said Maung Maung Swe. Tun Tun Hein, a member of the Central Executive Committee of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party – who had been sentenced to 33 years in prison – is among those released.
The NUG claimed that Tun Tun Hein is in good health while other prisoners are receiving medical treatment after being injured by retaliatory artillery attacks by the military. Fighting between the MNDAA and the military began in Lashio on July 3. It has reportedly seized control over most of the town with fighting against the military in certain areas.
Former DVB reporter dies at Insein Prison
Nay Lin Htike, 45, who formerly worked as a freelance reporter for DVB, died from cancer inside Insein Prison on Monday. “He suffered from oral cancer since he was in Kyaiksakaw [Daik-U] Prison. Prison authorities transferred him to Insein Prison when his condition worsened to give him treatment,” said a former political prisoner who was jailed with him at Daik-U Prison.
He was transferred to Yangon’s Insein Prison in July 2022. He worked for DVB for several years from his hometown of Nyaunglebin in Bago Region before he joined the resistance to the 2021 military coup. He was arrested in early 2022, and sentenced to eight years in prison under Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code for spreading misinformation and Section 52 (A) of the Counter-Terrorism Act.
More than 50,000 people affected by flooding nationwide
More than 50,000 people have been affected by flooding in at least 13 towns nationwide and are in urgent need of emergency assistance. The affected regions include Ayeyarwady, Bago, Karen, Mon, and Magway. The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology issued a flood warning on July 29, indicating that the water levels of the country’s major rivers, including the Irrawaddy, have exceeded “danger” levels.
“I think the locals will have to endure this situation for at least five days. They need food and drinking water. The water levels of the Bago River are particularly concerning as it has risen from 880 to 1,000 [centimeters],” a Bago resident who assisted flood victims told DVB.
Thousands of affected residents have sought shelter at monasteries, schools, and sports stadiums. A resident in Ayeyarwady Region said that there has not been any proper assistance from regime authorities since flooding began in early July. “As of yet, there has been no relief and no support from any department,” he added.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Regime authorities have stopped shipments by sea from Ayeyarwady Region to Arakan State. Residents in Pathein Township have said that goods have been seized almost daily. The Southwest Regional Military Command instructed administrators in Chaung Tha and Ngwesaung beaches to inspect goods sent to Arakan since June 30, according to a source close to the administration.
“The team, including administrator Thiha Aung and Major Zaw Naing, held a meeting to enforce the seizures, claiming locals were smuggling illegal cargo. They have only seized Arakan cargo ships,” the source told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
KACHIN—Fighting between the Kachin Independence Army (KIA/KIO) and the military has restarted in Momauk and Bhamo townships since July 24. “They have conducted daily airstrikes. The KIA is currently attacking the Light Infantry Battalion 437 in Momauk and Tarmonglong village [near Bhamo University],” said a source from the KIA. Telecommunication networks are currently unavailable in Bhamo and other parts of the state.
SHAN—A woman and her four-year-old grandson were killed, and five other family members were injured, after artillery landed on their home in Hsenwi Township, located in northern Shan State on Sunday. Homes were also destroyed by the shelling.
“We are the relatives of the victims. They said they heard their [grandmother and grandson] calling for help, but we were not able to rescue them. We lost them by the time the rescue team arrived four hours after the incident,” said a Hsenwi resident. The injured family members are unable to cover medical expenses. The MNDAA seized control of Hsenwi on Jan. 7.
Read our obituary for Karen leader Naw Zapporah Sein. DVB English News is on X, FB, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube. Find us on YouTube Music.
Thet Htar Thuzar congratulates Michelle Li after she won their women’s Group C badminton match at the Paris 2024 Olympics on July 29. (Credit: Reuters)
