One civilian killed by attack on hotel in Mandalay Region
Residents of Mogok town in Mandalay Region told DVB that one civilian was killed and seven others were injured during an attack by the Burma Air Force on the Golden Butterfly Hotel on Saturday. Mogok, famed for its ruby mines, is located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of the region’s capital Mandalay. It came under the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) control on July 23, 2024.
“A fighter jet opened fire on the hotel for 10 minutes. The hotel and homes around it were destroyed,” a Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Pro-regime media reported that the hotel was attacked because TNLA senior officials were inside. Residents living along the Mogok-Mandalay highway claimed that the military closed it down to all traffic on July 26.
Regime forces retook Thabeikkyin Township in Mandalay Region in a counteroffensive against resistance forces on July 23. It had been held by the People’s Defence Force (PDF) since August 2024. The regime also retook Nawnghkio in northern Shan State from the TNLA on July 16. It has now set its sights on reclaiming Mogok and Kyaukme Township in northern Shan from the TNLA.
Another civilian killed by airstrike in Sagaing Region
Sources in Sagaing Region told DVB that one civilian was killed and five others were injured by airstrikes carried out by six Air Force jets escorting 17 Burma Navy vessels through Katha Township along the Irrawaddy River on Saturday. Katha is located 223 miles (358 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
A PDF member told DVB that there were no resistance forces in the villages that were struck by the Air Force, nor was there any ongoing fighting. The PDF claimed that it attacked the fleet, sinking one boat and setting fire to three others, including a warship, on July 20. Sources told DVB that the naval fleet is headed toward Bhamo Township in southern Kachin State.
Bhamo is where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has been fighting regime forces over control of the town since Dec. 4. The naval fleet reportedly reached Kyaukkyi village of Shwegu Township in Kachin State on July 26, according to the PDF. Shwegu is 64 miles (103 km) west of Bhamo and 181 miles (291 km) south of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina. Read more
Monsoon season worsening conditions for earthquake survivors
Residents in Sagaing and Mandalay regions told DVB that the current monsoon season is worsening conditions for survivors of the March 28 earthquake. At least five people have been killed in Myanmar during Tropical Storm Wipha, which has impacted several countries in the region since it made landfall and was downgraded from a typhoon on July 22.
“Our village has been flooded since July 13. The waters have not yet receded from my home,” a resident of Salingyi Township told DVB. “The monsoon season has made everything worse. Floods are damaging fragile shelters, contaminating water sources, and increasing the risk of disease outbreaks in overcrowded displacement sites,” the U.N. said in a statement on July 7 marking 100 days since the devastating quake.
The regime stated that the death toll from the earthquake was 3,770 with 5,104 injured and 38 missing as of July 17. At least 4,520 were killed and 11,366 were injured by the quake, according to DVB data. There has been no official count of life‑changing injuries caused by the quake. The U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has distributed over 2,000 assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, crutches, and walkers. Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—Fighting between regime forces and the Arakan Army (AA) resumed in Kyaukphyu Township on July 21 following an 11-day pause, which the regime used to bring in reinforcements via sea routes. Kyaukphyu is located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe.
“Fighting in Kyaukphyu Township had been nearly silent since July 10, but clashes have flared up again recently, especially as the junta has resumed operations and begun using aircraft and drones for bombing,” a Kyaukphyu resident told Development Media Group (DMG). Read more
MANDALAY—The PDF stated on Thursday that a regime counteroffensive was launched to re-take outposts seized by resistance forces in Htanbingon, Thayatkine and Myakanthar villages, located 10 miles (16 km) north of Chanayethazan Township, along the Mandalay-Madaya highway.
Regime forces carried out retaliatory air and artillery strikes against the PDF in Madaya and Patheingyi townships from July 20-23 after 15 regime troops were killed and 16 were detained by resistance forces following the seizure of the three outposts on July 20.
SAGAING—A group in Shwebo and Depayin townships told DVB that it is building underground clinics and schools after air and artillery attacks earlier this year shut down those above ground. Shwebo and Depayin are located 40-63 miles (64-99 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
A spokesperson from a group called S&C Fire and War Education Relief and Care Team told DVB that the underground facilities were built for civilians to use for educational and healthcare purposes without having to go above ground as attacks have become more frequent.
TANINTHARYI—Residents of Palaw Township told DVB that 15 civilians were killed and at least 16 others were injured by air and artillery attacks carried out by regime forces on Friday. Palaw is located 97 miles (157 km) south of the region’s capital Dawei.
A PDF member told DVB that fighting between regime and resistance forces have intensified near Pala town. Residents claimed that many vehicles have been stuck along the Myeik-Palaw highway after two military checkpoints were closed on July 25.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,460 MMK)
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