Nawnghkio in northern Shan State retaken by regime
Residents of northern Shan State told DVB that regime troops recaptured six urban wards of Nawnghkio town from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Wednesday following a counteroffensive that began in April. The TNLA, along with its allied resistance forces, had control of Nawnghkio for nearly one year.
“We learnt that the regime’s counteroffensive is continuing northward after the resistance withdrew from the town,” a Nawnghkio resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Kyaukme, another TNLA-controlled town, is 32 miles (51 km) northeast of Nawnghkio, which is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the regional capital Lashio.
Regime media reported the recapture of Nawnghkio on Thursday, highlighting its strategic importance due to its location on a key Burma-China border trade route. The TNLA reported on Wednesday that its administrative offices in Nawnghkio were relocated to a “safer place” and that fighting with regime forces in Nawnghkio continued. Read more
Crisis Group reports violence ‘likely’ if elections occur
A new report published today by the International Crisis Group called Myanmar’s Dangerous Drift: Conflict, Elections and Looming Regional Détente anticipates that regime-planned elections in Burma – set to begin in December – will lack credibility and likely trigger further violence. Richard Horsey, the Crisis Group senior advisor on Burma, said that Beijing is pushing Naypyidaw to hold the vote.
“The devastating earthquake in March has provided a further excuse for Myanmar’s neighbours to break with the post-coup consensus against political engagement with Naypyidaw,” said Horsey. “More aid is needed for vulnerable people in Myanmar, and countries in the region need to intensify diplomacy to ensure that planned military-held elections are not given unwarranted endorsement.”
The Crisis group report also analyzes Burma’s current political and humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the regime since the March 28 earthquake. It explains how shifting global dynamics, including China’s increased intervention and diminishing U.S. interest in Burma, are leading to a creeping normalization of relations with Naypyidaw despite worsening conflict since the uprising to the 2021 coup began.
‘Ek Khaale – Once Upon a Time’ Rohingya exhibit closes Saturday
The Ek Khaale – Once Upon a Time Rohingya visual storytelling exhibit closes Saturday at Alliance française de Chiang Mai in Thailand after a 10-day run July 9–19. The project was started by documentary photographer Greg Constantine in 2020 in collaboration with Rohingya living inside Burma, as well as in the Bangladesh refugee camps, and the diaspora living in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Malaysia and Europe.
“It’s trying to create a story and through visuals that shows a shared history, a shared identity, and also hopefully creates a space of shared solidarity amongst everybody in Burma, including the Rohingya community,” said Constantine. “This is the first exhibition where this project has taken on an analog format, where it can finally be shown on walls rather than on a screen.”
Ek Khaale means “Once Upon a Time” in the Rohingya language. It’s a historical narrative that counters the disinformation spread by successive military regimes in Burma about the Rohingya community in Arakan State. Materials from the exhibit were on display at the Rohingya Cultural Night hosted by the Rohingya Maiyafuinor Collaborative Network in Chiang Mai on Sept. 8.
News by Region
CHINLAND—The Chinland Defence Force (CDF-Hualngoram) reports that it has full control of Rikhawdar in Falam Township after 4,000 residents fled into India during fighting with the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF). Falam is 41 miles (65 km) north of the state capital Hakha.
“All residents have returned. We have also reopened schools to restore local governance, education, and healthcare services,” a CDF-Hualngoram official told Khonumthung News. The CNDF seized control of Rikhawdar from CDF-Hualngoram July 5-11. Read more
KACHIN—The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Spokesperson Naw Bu told DVB that 17 regime troops were killed by KIA-led resistance forces during fighting in Hpakant Township on Monday. He did not share the number of casualties from the resistance.
Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the state capital Myitkyina and the KIA headquarters of Laiza. Aid workers told DVB that over 1,000 Hpakant residents have been displaced from their homes due to ongoing fighting since June 16.
KARENNI—Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Deputy Commander Maui Pho Thaike told DVB that resistance forces have besieged the regime’s remaining Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 135 outpost in Hpasawng town of Karenni State since June 25.
Maui added that once LIB 135 falls, a stretch of territory from the Burma–Thailand border to the edge of Bawlakhe Township, 70 miles (112 km) south of the Karenni State capital Loikaw, would be fully under resistance control. Read more
NAYPYIDAW—Regime media reported that Charlie Than, the regime Minister for Industry, met with Russia’s Ambassador to Burma Iskander Azizov to discuss the resumption of operations at the No. 2 Steel Mill near Mount Pinpet in Shan State on Wednesday.
Mount Pinpet, located 10 miles (16 km) southeast of the Shan State capital Taunggyi, hosts one of the largest iron ore deposits in the country. The steel mill will resume operations in the 2025-26 financial year, according to reports.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,470 MMK)
Tune in today to Part 2 of our interview with human rights expert Khin Ohmar. Watch it on DVB English News YouTube or Spotify. Listen to it on Apple Podcasts.
