Shan State armed groups hold talks to ‘prevent friction’
The Shan State Progress Party and its armed wing, the Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), held talks with Brotherhood Alliance member the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Saturday in Panghsang Township, located in the Wa Self-Administered Division of eastern Shan State.
“The discussion was successful. In the future, we will prevent friction and misunderstanding,” Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, told DVB. Tensions between the SSA and the TNLA have intensified “in recent months,” which has reportedly resulted in casualties on both sides.
The United Wa State Army (UWSA) leads the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC), a coalition of ethnic armed groups who never signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the military. The SSA and the UWSA deployed troops to “protect” Mongyai and Tangyan townships, in northern Shan State, on July 11.
Regime appoints new Burma Navy chief
Military sources told DVB that the regime has appointed Major General Htein Win as the new Burma Navy commander-in-chief. The official appointment reportedly took place on July 12.
“General Htein Win was chosen among other generals who were rumored to be potential commanders. Because this is a probation period his rank has not yet been officially promoted,” a source told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
Former navy chief Vice Admiral Zwe Win Myint stepped down from his position after six months in the job. The navy has faced criticism from the regime for its losses during conflicts along Burma’s maritime borders, including the coast of Arakan State.
Thailand arrests over 80,000 migrant workers
Authorities in Thailand arrested 80,913 undocumented migrant workers from Burma in a nationwide 36-day crackdown, Thai media reported, citing the Ministry of Labour. The arrests were part of a 120-day campaign that ran from June 5 to July 11.
A total of 108,875 undocumented workers were detained by Thai authorities. This includes workers from various factories and businesses across Thailand. Other migrant workers arrested included 16,507 Cambodians, 7,804 Laotians, 104 Vietnamese, and 3,547 from other countries.
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Schools in Zalun Township were closed temporarily on Monday due to the flooding caused by rising water levels in the Irrawaddy River. Flooding has also occurred in Kachin State, as well as Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions since earlier this month.
“The water level of the river started increasing on Saturday and the schools were flooded. We are currently shutting down the schools for three days but we will have to increase the period if the water level does not decline,” said a teacher in Zalun.
ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) has warned residents of Thandwe, in southern Arakan, and Maungdaw, in northern Arakan, against the danger of landmines left behind retreating military personnel. It stated that soldiers have planted landmines around its outposts so that it can defend against AA attacks.
“We have to go foraging in the mountains because all our food supplies have been cut off. The military has planted mines everywhere, so people are risking their lives for basic survival,” said a Thandwe resident. The AA has seized control of 11 towns in Arakan, including Paletwa Township in southern Chinland.
MANDALAY—Three novice monks from Masoeyein monastery were killed and one woman was injured in an artillery attack carried out by the military in the east of Mogok town on Sunday. “One of the [novice monks] was cremated the next day,” said a Mogok resident. A shortage of doctors in Mogok hospitals has led to a lack of medical attention to civilians wounded in military attacks.
MON—Regime Chief Minister for Mon State Aung Kyi Thein said that land was purchased from residents on Bilu island in Chaungzon Township for the construction of a coal-fired power plant and a road on June 24. Residents claim that at least 50 out of 100 acres, located along the Dayal River, was purchased by the administration at a reduced rate.
“The price they offered to us is very low but we have no choice but to sell the land,” said a Chaungzon resident. Those living on Bilu island are concerned that waste produced from a coal-fired power plant will negatively affect the environment and their livelihoods.
KAREN—The Karen Environmental and Social Action Network (KESAN) launched a documentary film called “Seeds of Life” on Tuesday. It documents the community living in the Salween Peace Park, located in northern Karen, and how they are “preserving their native seeds in the face of political crisis, war, and climate change.”
