Regime extends its ceasefire until the end of June
The regime in Naypyidaw extended its temporary ceasefire on Sunday until June 30. It stated that it would retaliate only if ethnic armed organizations, or other armed groups, destroy or attack communication routes and military outposts, cause harm or destruction to the lives and property of citizens, recruit or mobilize forces that could undermine peace, or for territorial expansion.
“The [regime] is tirelessly carrying out reconstruction and rehabilitation measures for quake-affected government offices and departments, public houses and road transportation facilities with the assistance of the international communities,” regime media reported on June 1. Naypyidaw announced its post-quake ceasefire April 2-30 which it renewed May 6-31 after letting the first five days of the month elapse.
DVB has documented that 544 people have been killed in 809 attacks—669 of them during the ceasefire period—since March 28. The National Unity Government (NUG) reiterated its calls for an international monitoring mechanism under the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which has called on the regime to expand its ceasefire and engage in dialogue with its rivals on May 27.
Listen to Newscast: Two months since a post-earthquake ceasefire began in Myanmar. Find and follow DVB English News wherever you get podcasts.
Union Solidarity and Development Party ready for elections
Khin Yi, the chairperson of the pro-regime Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP), told a meeting in Naypyidaw on Friday that his party has “more than enough” candidates for the regime general elections in December. The Union Election Commission (UEC) has yet to announce the number of constituencies, candidate criteria, or the exact timeline of when the elections will take place.
Khin Yi stated that the USDP had at least four potential candidates for each constituency and would select its final nominees based on popular approval. There were 330 constituencies for the Lower House, 168 constituencies for the Upper House, 644 constituencies for state and regional parliaments and 29 constituencies for ethnic minorities in state and regional parliaments in the 2020 general elections.
A total of 54 political parties have registered to contest the elections, with only 10—including the USDP—planning to run nationwide, according to the UEC. The USDP accused the ousted National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which won the 2015 and 2020 elections by a landslide, of voter fraud following its defeat in 2020. The NLD and 39 other parties were dissolved by the UEC in 2023.
Hotel collapse in India’s Mizoram State traps five from Myanmar
Merchants from Arakan State told DVB that at least five were trapped under a hotel that collapsed during a landslide in Lawngtlai District of Mizoram State in northeastern India on Saturday. Indian media reports that at least 32 people have been killed since Saturday as heavy rains triggered floods and landslides in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh.
“A hotel where the merchants from [Arakan] stayed and six homes collapsed,” a trader from Burma in India told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that rescue operations were ongoing. The regime has blocked all trade routes into Arakan since November 2023 due to its counteroffensive against the Arakan Army (AA).
Residents of 14 townships controlled by the AA in Arakan, as well as Paletwa Township in southern Chinland under AA control, rely on cross-border trade with India for basic food items, medicine and fuel. India shares a 1,020 mile (1,643 km) long border with Burma. Mizoram shares a 316 mile (510 km) long border with Burma’s Chinland.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Sources told DVB that the AA detained several regime troops, including a high-ranking officer, after it seized a military outpost in Mintat Taung village in Kyaukphyu Township on Friday. The port town of Kyaukphyu is located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe.
“The regime is in retreat in Kyaukphyu,” a source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Kyaukphyu serves as a strategic hub town for Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines, electrical power facilities, and transportation networks. Read more.
AYEYARWADY—Residents of Yekyi, Dedaye, and Pyapon townships told DVB that rain and wind have damaged or destroyed at least 78 houses May 28-31. Yekyi, Dedaye and Pyapon are located 59-152 miles (95-245 km) northeast and southeast of the region’s capital Pathein.
“Many traditional thatched houses were destroyed,” a Dedaye resident told DVB. Fifteen houses in Yekyi and 33 in Dedaye were damaged with 26 completely destroyed in Pyapon, where coastal erosion has swept away another 28 houses in three villages.
Residents in Thabaung, Yekyi, Kyonpyaw, Lemyethna, Hinthada, Kyankhin, Myanaung, Haigyikyun and Ngayokekaung townships told DVB that they have been unable to make digital payments due to lack of internet access since May 7.
“Agents are unable to provide mobile banking services without wifi or telecommunications services,” a Lemyethna resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The AA expanded its Arakan offensive against regime forces into Ayeyarwady in December.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,430 MMK)
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