People’s Defense Forces urged to follow code of conduct
The National Unity Government (NUG) Acting President Duwa Lashi La urged the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and other resistance groups to follow the code of conduct during the third anniversary of the declaration of the ‘People’s Defensive War’ against the 2021 military coup on Saturday.
“I believe the victory for the people will surely arrive in the end. The waves of the defensive war will gradually erode and destroy the dictatorship. These are not just words, but have been proven by the work done over the last three years of revolution,” said Duwa Lashi La on Sept. 7.
He added that this current pro-democracy uprising is broader than previous ones in Burma as people from all ethnic nationalities have united against the military to build a federal democratic country. The NUG Ministry of Defense has documented that over 620,200 military personnel have been killed since the ‘People’s Defensive War’ was declared on Sept. 7, 2021.
UN called to take stronger action on Burma
Human Rights Watch issued a statement calling on the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) to refer Burma to the International Criminal Court (ICC). It called on the U.K., the current penholder on UNSC resolutions related to Burma, to take greater action to stop the ongoing violence in the country.
“The [UNSC] great-power deadlock means that it has been far too quiet on Myanmar for years. But if it chooses to let recent events pass without even a meeting or public show of concern, that neglect will stain the legacy of every ambassador sitting on the Council, particularly the UK, which is supposed to ‘lead’ on Myanmar,” said the HRW statement.
The ICC is currently investigating alleged human rights abuses committed in Burma, but its jurisdiction is limited to investigating within Bangladesh territory, which is an ICC member. Burma is not a signatory of the ICC. The military and Arakan Army (AA) may be investigated for alleged attacks committed against Rohingya civilians in northern Arakan State since May.
Pro-military militia rejoins Shan State Army
The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP/SSA) held a welcoming ceremony for a local militia that rejoined its ranks at the Shan State Army headquarters in Wahnai Village of Kyethi Township, 160 miles (257 km) northeast of the Shan State capital Taunggyi on Thursday.
“The SSPP/SSA warmly welcomes the Sein Kyawt local militiamen who have returned to serve in their original force,” it said in a statement shared with the media. “From now on, we are officially part of the SSA,” said Lwe Mong, the chairperson of the Sein Kyawt militia, at the ceremony on Sept. 5.
The SSPP/SSA reportedly gave the Sein Kyawt militia more than 40 million kyat ($7,400 USD) to have its hundreds of members rejoin with all of their weapons. The Sein Kyawt had split from the SSA to become a pro-military militia in 2010 “under pressure,” according to the SSPP.
News by Region
SHAN—The Shan State Frontline Investment Monitor stated that the United Wa State Army (UWSA) has allowed the construction of a China-backed dam along the Thanlwin (Salween) River in Tangyan Township. It added that the UWSA escorted 12 Chinese businessmen to the site in early August. Over 2,000 UWSA troops were deployed to northern Tangyan on July 11.
Civil society groups and residents are opposed to the Naung Pha dam, citing concerns that it will increase the risk of floods and earthquakes. Beijing and Naypyidaw signed Memorandum of Understandings for the project in 2009 and 2014. The Naung Pha dam is expected to export at least 50 percent of the power it generates to China upon completion.
ARAKAN—The Sittwe Prison Court sentenced a total of 93 residents of Byainphyu village in Sittwe Township to three years each on Friday. More than 80 residents were allegedly killed and over 300 were arrested during a military raid on Byainphyu village May 29.
More than 230 out of the 300 arrested were sentenced for violating the Unlawful Associations Act. Over 60 have been released. The court sentenced 141 of them to three years in prison each on Aug. 30. Sittwe residents claim that the military is blackmailing them after arrest.
MAGWAY—Six civilians, including a six-year-old girl, were killed and three others were injured as the military carried out airstrikes on Letyatma village of Myaing Township on Friday. Homes and a school sheltering Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) were destroyed.
“They opened fire on the school and then dropped bombs on it,” a PDF member told DVB. The total number of casualties is unknown as many Letyatma residents are still unaccounted for. The PDF told residents to beware of more military airstrikes.
NAYPYIDAW—Medicine shortages have occurred nationwide since the regime announced that pharmacy import licenses will only be granted upon proof of export earnings starting on Sept. 1. The cost of medicine has also reportedly surged. The regime’s Department of Trade announced changes to the pharmaceutical import licensing policies on Aug. 28.
“Drug prices in pharmacies fluctuate throughout the day, increasing at least three times daily,” a Yangon resident told DVB. Under the new restrictions, 116 companies that had their applications for pharmaceutical import licenses approved in October 2023 must apply for licenses again before they can import medicine into the country.
