Regime forces advance on Shan State’s Kyaukme
Residents of Kyaukme Township, in northern Shan State, told DVB that regime forces had reached the entrance to the town on Tuesday. The Burma Air Force has carried out an unknown number of airstrikes on the road leading into Kyaukme, according to residents. Kyaukme, located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio, was seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in August 2024.
“The gunfire sounded as if it was right outside my home,” a Kyaukme resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. A regime counteroffensive in Kyaukme began after it regained control of neighbouring Nawnghkio Township from the TNLA on July 16. A Burma Army defector told DVB that the counteroffensive will continue toward Hsipaw Township once Kyaukme is retaken from the TNLA.
Inmates from the Kyaukme Township Prison have been relocated to Hsipaw Prison, according to residents. Government offices, including the police station and fire department, were targeted by arson attacks on Sept. 30. The Union Election Commission (UEC) has scheduled polls in 38 of Shan State’s total 55 townships, including Kyaukme and Hsipaw, which is located 22 miles (35 km) east of Kyaukme.
US and UK pledge $96 million for Rohingya refugees
The U.S. and the U.K. announced that both countries pledged a total of $96 million USD in assistance for nearly 1.3 Rohingya living in refugee camps in Bangladesh during the “High-level Conference on the Situation of the Rohingya Muslims and Other Minorities in Myanmar” held at the U.N. headquarters in New York City on Tuesday.
“The world cannot keep the Rohingyas waiting any longer. Today, let us pledge to act together to resolve the crisis once and for all,” Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus told the conference on Sept. 30. He called for the repatriation of the Rohingya to Burma’s northern Arakan State to prevent a “catastrophic situation” in the refugee camps located in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char.
Annalena Baerbock, the President of the 80th General Assembly, described the Rohingya crisis as a “test for humanity.” Human rights activists from Burma, including Rohingya, said that since the 2021 military coup the crisis has worsened. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres called for the protection of civilians in Burma, as well as unhindered humanitarian access, and stronger international support.
Pro-regime armed groups in Karen State support elections
The Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), and the KNU/KNLA Peace Council announced that they will allow the regime elections – scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 – to take place in territory under its control in Karen State on Monday. The three pro-regime armed groups met in Thitkatae village of Myawaddy Township on Sept. 28.
“This decision reflects the interests of the armed group leaders, not the Karen people,” a political analyst in Karen State told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The armed groups added that elections “can bring forth peace and stability” to Karen State, which has seen intense conflict between regime forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) since the uprising to the 2021 military coup began.
The KNLA political wing, the Karen National Union (KNU), has rejected the regime elections and was designated a “terrorist” group by Naypyidaw on Aug. 28. Karen State has a total of seven townships with the first phase of the elections taking place in the state capital Hpa-An, Myawaddy, located 81 miles (130 km) east of Hpa-An, and Thandaunggyi, located 245 miles (394 km) north of Hpa-An.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The family of detained Border News Agency (BNA) reporter Mu Dra told DVB that they have been unable to visit with her since she was detained by the Arakan Army (AA) in Maungdaw on Sept. 20. This contradicts a report last week stating the family had met with Mu Dra on Sept. 22.
A family member told DVB that they are worried about her safety and want her released. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters without Borders (RSF), and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), have called on the AA to immediately release Mu Dra.
MANDALAY—Rescue teams in Kyaukpadaung Township told DVB that the Kyaukpadaung-Meiktila road, near milepost 51, has been closed since the Kyatmauktaung dam rose by over 5-6 feet (1.8 meters) on Tuesday. Kyaukpadaung is located 140 miles (225 km) southwest of Mandalay.
“The road is covered with flood water which has not receded,” a member of a rescue team told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Search and rescue operations are being carried out by the Fire Services Department and volunteers along the Kyaukpadaung-Meiktila road.
NAYPYIDAW—Rescue teams in Lewe Township told DVB that around 60 families living in Ngatpyawtaw village were evacuated from their homes on Tuesday due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall which began on Monday. Lewe is located 8 miles (14 km) west of Naypyidaw.
“The water level reached over five feet [1.5 meters], forcing us to leave our homes,” a Lewe resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Residents living in low-lying areas are at risk of serious flooding if the rain continues and if the water level does not decrease, according to rescue workers.
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