The Brotherhood Alliance re-launched Operation 1027 after a China-brokered ceasfire signed with the military on Jan. 11 broke down.
It’s been one month of fighting in Lashio, Shan State since Operation 1027 was re-launched by the Brotherhood Alliance after its ceasefire with the military broke down on July 3. Myanmar’s most powerful ethnic armed force, the United Wa State Army, deployed its troops to protect residents and assets in Lashio. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army claimed it had seized control of the northeastern Regional Military Command on July 25.
TRANSCRIPT—What’s happening in Myanmar’s northern Shan State is worth your attention. Let me take a minute to explain,
It’s been over one month since Operation 1027 Second Wave was launched by the Brotherhood Alliance.
Its members, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, blame the military for violating a China-brokered ceasefire.
The Brotherhood Alliance also includes the Arakan Army (AA) which launched its own offensive in Arakan State on November 13th.
They have seized over 300 military outposts and 13 towns along the China-Myanmar border. And another 10 towns in Arakan State.
On July 27th, Myanmar’s largest ethnic armed force, the United Wa State Army, deployed to Lashio.
Two days later the MNDAA claimed that it had taken control of the Northeastern Regional Military Command.
If confirmed, this would be the first time in Myanmar’s history that the military lost one of its command headquarters.
Nyi Yang, the UWSA spokesperson, told DVB that his forces would not interfere with fighting between the MNDAA and the military.
The UWSA stated that it only wants to protect residents, its liaison office, and properties it owns in Lashio.
On July 24th, the TNLA seized Mogok Township in Mandalay Region, which is known for its valuable ruby mines.
It warned residents to be ready for retaliatory airstrikes and artillery attacks from the military.
The TNLA announced that 125 civilians have been killed and 167 have been injured in northern Shan in the last 30 days.
Fighting between the TNLA and the military continues in Mongmit, Nawnghkio, and Kyaukme townships.
The MNDAA-led forces include the Bamar People’s Liberation Army and the People’s Liberation Army.
They have reportedly seized control of most of Lashio and freed over 200 prisoners from Lashio Prison.
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Min Aung Hlaing announces the extension of the state of emergency during a meeting in Naypyidaw on July 31. (Credit: Regime media)
Regime extends nationwide state of emergency
The military regime’s National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) announced that it is extending the state of emergency a sixth time during a meeting in Naypyidaw on Wednesday. It claimed that the extension was needed to give the regime time to stabilize the country before elections could be held.
This is the sixth extension of the state of emergency since the 2021 military coup. Under the military-drafted 2008 constitution, elections must be held within six months of the lifting of the state of emergency. Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to hold an election in 2025.
US lawmakers urge State Department to revisit Burma policy
A group of U.S. senators sent a letter to the State Department to develop new policies to help end the conflict since the 2021 coup and support Burma’s democratic forces on Tuesday. The group includes Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic Senator Ben Cardin, who is the chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
“As the risk rises of a prolonged stalemate in the conflict, resulting in a permanently fragmented state, it is imperative that the U.S. government has a comprehensive and forward leaning strategy on Burma. We urgently need a revitalized approach, which will better support resistance forces within the country who are courageously standing up to the brutality of the military junta,” stated the letter.
The New York City Burmese Community protests against China’s role in Burma in New York on July 30. (Credit: Terry Win)
Calls for Beijing to stop supporting Naypyidaw
The New York City Burmese Community (NYCBC) called on Beijing to stop supporting the regime on Tuesday. It held a protest in front of the Office of the Permanent Representative of China to the U.N. in New York.
Protesters chanted slogans and held signs stating: “China stop supporting the military” and “No broker can put a price on the people’s revolution.” The NYCBC sent an open letter to the Permanent Mission of China to the U.N. A solidarity protest was held in front of China’s Embassy in Washington DC on July 31.
News by Region
CHINLAND—The Chinland Defense Force-Hakha (CDF-Hakha) ordered pet owners in Hakha to remove their dogs from the town before Aug. 1. “Their barking seems to alert Burma Army soldiers when revolutionary comrades are working on public security and military affairs at night,” a CDF member told DVB.
It added that action would be taken against pet owners if they do not comply with the order. “People should cooperate with the CDF without complaint. I am thinking of taking my dog far away and abandoning it,” a Hakha resident said.
AYEYARWADY—The Pyabon Prison court sentenced Than Lwin, the former chair of the National League for Democracy (NLD) party for Chaungdwin village, and two civilians, to 20 years for violating the Counter-Terrorism Law on Monday.
“We have been told that they will be transferred to Pathein Prison,” said a source close to the Pyabon Prison. Regime forces arrested the three at the home of a village chief in Pyabon Township on Dec. 11.
MON—Three people living in Bilin and Ye townships drowned in flood waters July 27-28. “The flooding is still going on and people need to be careful,” said a rescue worker. Bilin, Thaton, Paung, Thanbyuzayat and Ye townships have been affected by flooding. More than 5,000 residents are in need of emergency assistance.
YANGON—Motorists have formed queues at gas stations as the city has faced a fuel shortage since Monday. “It is difficult to buy 95 and 92 Ron, lately. I think the fuel stations don’t want to sell fuel at low prices as the USD exchange rate is on the rise. I saw that some stations are temporarily closed,” said a taxi driver in Yangon.
The regime’s Petroleum Products Regulatory Department on Tuesday set the price of one liter of 92 Ron at 2,630 kyat, one liter of 95 Ron at 2,750 kyat, and one liter of premium diesel at 2,770 kyat. Fuel prices have gone down over the last week despite the kyat continuing to depreciate in value.
Tun Tun Hein meets with then-U.S. Ambassador to Burma Scot Marciel in Naypyidaw on March 14, 2019. (Credit: Tun Tun Hein Facebook)
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.
A dog waits to be rescued from flooding caused by heavy rainfall in Hpa-An, Karen State in the past week. (Credit: CJ)
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)
Aung Myo Min, the Minister of Human Rights in the National Unity Government (NUG) co-hosts Human Rights Lens program at DVB.
Human Rights Lens is brought to you by the Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) and the National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Human Rights. It features NUG Minister of Human Rights Aung Myo Min. Episode four investigates war crimes committed in Myanmar.
“It is a great loss for the Karen people. I want to mention that throughout the peacemaking process, she was a very stable and strong leader whose approach was characterized by a focus on policy objectives,” Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the KNU spokesperson, told DVB.
Born in 1955, Naw Zipporah Sein has a life lived in the Karen revolution. Eight years before she was born, in 1947, the KNU was established. She rose through the ranks to become the first female leader to hold a significant position within an ethnic armed organization in Burma.
“The KNU acknowledges her as a heroine who dedicated her life to the revolution to liberate the Karen people and to serving the country and its people. May her legacy of courage and commitment continue to inspire us all,” the KNU stated.
Naw Zipporah Sein served as the general secretary of the KWO after it was founded in 1985. “We are heartbroken to lose her. She was a brave and wise woman,” the KWO stated.
Throughout her career, Naw Zipporah Sein received international recognition and awards for her work. She was recognized as one of the “1000 PeaceWomen” in 2005 by PeaceWomen Across the Globe, an organization promoting peace based in Switzerland.
In 2014, she was honored with a Peace Award, by the Women’s Organisations Network (WON) of Burma, which represents 30 organizations supporting community women’s groups in Burma.
She also led the KNU Concerned Group, which is a political organization primarily consisting of former senior KNU leaders, until her final days.
Her work during ceasefire negotiations between the Burma Army and ethnic armed organizations, which became the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in 2015, was called pivotal by many.
Following the 2021 military coup, she expressed her sentiments that the NCA was null and void. “The Myanmar military staged the coup by taking out the civilian government which signed the NCA. So the Myanmar army officially violated [it],” Naw Zipporah Sein told DVB in 2021.
“She is a person who stands on the values of diversity and mutual recognition rather than prejudice of her own ethnicity,” Mi Sue Pwint, a member of the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF) told DVB.
“Zipporah had an incredible determination to promote equality for women and promote human rights generally within Karen society and in the national democracy movement,” the Burma Campaign UK posted to its social media account.
The National Unity Government(NUG), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) have each issued messages of condolence to Naw Zipporah Sein’s family during her funeral in Thailand on July 27.
A funeral was held for Naw Zipporah Sein in Thailand on July 27. (Credit: DVB)
A young woman from Myanmar fled military conscription and sought refuge in Thailand. (Credit: DVB)
DW caught up with draft evaders fleeing conscription in Myanmar after the military activated a law calling up young men and women. A story collaboration between DVB English News and DW News.
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