Resistance forces claim control of Tabayin in Sagaing
The People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed that it had taken full control of Tabayin Township of Sagaing Region, 40 miles (64 km) from the state capital Monywa, on Sunday. Monywa is where the Northwestern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters is located.
Fighting between the military and the PDF began in Tabayin on Aug. 15. Residents told DVB that the military carried out retaliatory airstrikes Aug. 16-17. The PDF claimed that the military dropped nearly 60 bombs. “We still don’t know the amount of destruction caused by the military’s airstrikes,” said a Tabayin resident.
A total of 123 people, including military personnel and family members, reportedly surrendered to the PDF. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) stated that over 4,000 military personnel, including three senior officers, surrendered when it seized control of the Northeastern RMC on Aug. 3.
US continues its support for pro-democracy groups
The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday that the U.S. will “continue to expand direct support and assistance to pro-democracy groups to help build their cohesion [and] improve their capability to provide vital public services and humanitarian aid to those in need.”
The NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La and officials from the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Karen National Union (KNU), the Karenni National Progressive Party (KNPP), and the Chin National Front (CNF) met virtually with U.S. State Department Counselor Tom Sullivan and USAID Assistance Administrator Michael Schiffer on Thursday.
All sides also agreed to maintain pressure on the military regime in Naypyidaw, and to work together with the international community, including the U.N. and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to bring an end to the crisis in Burma, which has unfolded since the 2021 military coup.
China repeats regime election endorsement
Beijing claims that it will support the democratization process in Burma through a general election, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Burma on Friday.
China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi made a statement after the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Thailand on Aug. 16. “He expressed his support for fostering internal political reconciliation and restarting the process of democratization through general elections,” read the statement.
Wang Yi reiterated Beijing’s support for the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus, which was signed by Min Aung Hlaing in April 2021 and included an end to all violence, the release of all political prisoners, and dialogue among all parties to the conflict.
News by Region
ARAKAN—At least 11 civilians, including two children, were killed and 11 were injured by an airstrike on Kyeintali town of Gwa Township on Thursday. A church was hit as civilians were sheltering inside during fighting between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military, which began Aug. 11.
“Without any fighting, the military sent a jet fighter and bombed the area. The AA is now treating the injured,” a Kyeintali resident told DVB. Kyeintali is reportedly under AA control after the military retreated on Aug. 13. More than 20,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Gwa Township, according to residents.
NAYPYIDAW—Min Aung Hlaing promoted lieutenant generals Ye Win Oo, Aung Lin Dwe, and Nyo Saw to the full rank of general. Ye Win Oo is regime joint secretary and chief of military security affairs. Aung Lin Dwe is regime secretary, and Nyo Saw is a regime advisor and chairperson of the Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC).
“It is not yet known where they will be assigned. I don’t know if the regime will create new positions, similar to what happened during Than Shwe’s time,” a source close to the military told DVB. The promotions came after the regime dismissed allegations of an internal coup attempt last week.
SHAN—The MNDAA claimed that it released over 2,000 military personnel, including family members, it took as prisoners of war in Lashio, northern Shan State, Aug. 6-14. The MNDAA seized control of the Northeastern RMC in Lashio after a month of fighting which began on July 3.
“The Shan State Progress Party also assisted with their transportation,” a source close to the MNDAA told DVB. It stated that the prisoners of war were taken to a “safe area” after they received medical care and travel expenses.
TANINTHARYI—The Yephyu PDF claimed that it killed three soldiers in a car carrying Min Min Latt, the regime Tanintharyi Region minister of security and border affairs, in Dawei on Aug. 15. “The minister was sitting in the front, while we could only fire from behind, hitting the back of the car,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB.
