Six civilians killed by airstrikes on ruby mining hub
At least six civilians were killed and two others were seriously injured during airstrikes conducted by the Burma Air Force on Mogok Township, located around 129 miles (207 km) northeast of Mandalay, on Monday. The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Mandalay People’s Defense Force (MPDF) took control of Mogok, which is famed for its ruby mines, on July 24.
“There were no armed groups [in town], only civilians were present in the area that was targeted by the aircraft,” a Mogok resident told DVB. At least 15 homes and a Hindu temple were also destroyed. Another Mogok resident claimed that the airstrikes targeted three sites in the town despite there being no presence of resistance forces or active combat with the military.
The TNLA and the MPDF launched Operation Shan-Man, while attacking military targets in Mandalay and northern Shan State on June 25. The TNLA recently announced that it has allowed small gem businesses to resume mining in Mogok, which are a major source of revenue for both the regime in Naypyidaw and ethnic armed groups active in neighboring Shan State.
Inflation rises as regime attempts to stop currency depreciation
Jared Bissinger, a development economist who has spent the last 15 years specializing in Burma’s economy, criticized the regime for its economic policies. DVB data collected up to Nov. 6 states that the regime has sold $1.5 billion USD, 156 million Chinese yuan, and 4.5 billion Thai baht to combat the depreciation of the kyat.
“The regime is printing money. They’re operating this foreign exchange system, which can also contribute to inflation. And then there’s just increased costs for certain things like logistics due to conflict. And the combined effect of these things is very significant,” said Bissinger, who’s a visiting fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute (Institute for Southeast Asian Studies) in Singapore.
The regime sold the foreign currencies through online exchange trading platforms. The USD exchange rate reached a high of 7,000 kyat in August, but has now fallen to 4,520 kyat. The price of basic commodities have been on the rise since Chinese authorities closed most border gates in Shan and Kachin states. The military regime sold $74 million USD in 2023, $295 million in 2022, and $445 million in 2021.
Regime calls NUG passport renewal stamps ‘illegal’
The Burma Embassy in Seoul, South Korea stated on Sunday that it will take action against any Burma national who “illegally” renews their passports using stamps issued by the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG). The NUG Representative Office in South Korea announced that it would issue stamps to extend the validity of passports for an additional two years.
“We have discovered that some Myanmar nationals have been using unauthorized stamps for passport renewals. These individuals have been blacklisted, and we are working with South Korean authorities to take legal action,” stated the regime representative at the Burma Embassy in Seoul.
The NUG established its representative office in South Korea in September 2021, as its first in Asia. Similar offices have been opened in other countries, including the U.S., U.K., Australia, Japan and Czechia. The NUG added that it is assisting Burma nationals who have been detained in South Korea for visa-related issues.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) captured a checkpoint at the entrance of Ann town, where the Western Regional Military Command (RMC) is headquartered, on Monday. Ann Township is located 198 miles (319 km) southeast of the Arakan State capital Sittwe.
“We learned that the AA secured control of the checkpoint at around dawn,” a source close to the AA told DVB. The checkpoint is located on a bridge that connects Ann with Magway Region’s Minbu Township. The AA has captured most military bases in Ann since it launched its offensive to take control of the Western RMC on Sept. 26.
MANDALAY—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed that the regime has been sending military conscripts who’ve recently completed training to fight in Madaya and Thabeikkyin townships of northern Mandalay Region, where the PDF has wrested control from the military since June.
“Military troops deployed in the town fired artillery shells around the town despite clashes not taking place. They sent new recruits to Thabeikkyin by helicopter,” a Madaya PDF spokesperson told DVB. Telecommunication services are unavailable in Thabeikkyin, but some Madaya residents told DVB that they still have cellular service.
SHAN—Taunggyi residents said that the number of domestic tourists attending the 2024 Tazaungdaing Hot-Air Balloon Festival has increased compared to last year. Thousands have reportedly already attended the festival, which takes place Nov. 11-17 in Taunggyi.
“It is good for us to make business. I believe around 8,000 to 10,000 visitors are taking part in this year’s festival,” a Taunggyi resident told DVB. Tourism officials stated that hotels have been fully booked until Nov. 17. The festival was rescheduled due to poor weather conditions, according to organizers.
YANGON—A resistance group calling itself Dark Shadow claimed that it bombed an administration office in Insein Township on Monday to mark the one-year anniversary of ‘Operation 1111’ which was launched by resistance forces in Karenni State on Nov. 11, 2023.
“The office is located near Insein police station. Soldiers in a police car inspected the office after the explosion,” an Insein resident told DVB. The group urged people to avoid buildings and targets connected to the military. Dark Shadow reportedly attacked a military checkpoint gate in Mingaladon Township on Oct. 27.
