Six killed by airstrikes on northern Shan State’s Kutkai
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated that six civilians were killed and seven others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Kutkai town of northern Shan State on Wednesday. Kutkai, located 47 miles (75 km) north of the regional capital Lashio, was seized by the TNLA in January 2024.
Residents told DVB that the airstrikes killed a five-year-old living in a house next door to the Hotel Yarsuthit in Kutkai, which the TNLA claimed was the target. It added that a total of 28 airstrikes have killed 15 civilians and injured 48 others in areas under TNLA control in Kyaukme, Mongngaw, Nawnghkio, Hsipaw and Mogok towns during the month of July.
Sources told DVB that the regime launched its anticipated counteroffensive in Kyaukme, located 114 miles (183 km) southwest of Kutkai. The TNLA Spokesperson Lway Yay Oo told the media that the TNLA and the regime will meet for a third round of talks in China in August after the two sides failed to come to an agreement in the first two rounds of talks in February and April.
Naypyidaw enacts an ‘Elections Protection’ law
The “General Elections Protection Law” was enacted by the regime in Naypyidaw on Tuesday ahead of elections it is planning to officially announce after a state of emergency, which has been in place since the military coup on Feb. 1, 2021, is lifted today. Min Aung Hlaing announced that he wants regime-run elections to begin by December during a visit to Belarus in March.
The law threatens anyone caught “disrupting” elections with 3–7 years in prison, which increases from 5–10 years if in a group. Damaging facilities or equipment used in elections is punishable by 5–10 years in prison. Preventing candidates from campaigning, voters from casting their ballots, or election commission members and staff from performing their duties, is punishable by 3-20 years in prison.
Each offence may also carry fines of an unspecified amount. The law states that if any of the offences referred to result in a death, those involved will receive the death penalty. Nay Phone Latt, the National Unity Government (NUG) Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, has called on all citizens to boycott the regime’s planned polls.
Trade union leader’s daughter and six members arrested
The daughter of Solidarity of Trade Union Myanmar (STUM) founder Myo Myo Aye, and six other STUM members, were arrested on Monday – three days after Myo Myo Aye’s own arrest at her home in Shwepyitha Township on July 25, according to sources close to the STUM leader.
An STUM member told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the whereabouts of Myo Myo Aye, her daughter Chu Chu Thwe, and six other STUM members are currently unknown. Regime media have not reported the arrests or any of the charges brought against them.
As a trade union leader, Myo Myo Aye has led several strikes demanding wage increases for workers from their employers following the 2021 coup. She was arrested on April 15, 2021 at her office in Yangon and convicted of sedition under Sec. 505 (A) of the Penal Code but was released in a prisoner amnesty on Oct. 25, 2021.
News by Region
BAGO—Residents of Pandaung Township told DVB that training is being provided to ex-military personnel, former police, and administration officials at the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 92 outpost since May in an effort to boost the defense of regime weapons factories.
“Each batch consists of at least 100 trainees,” a resident told DVB. Pandaung is located 188 miles (302 km) north of the region’s capital Bago. This is where the regime reportedly refines raw materials for manufacturing arms and ammunition for the military. Read more
KACHIN—The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Spokesperson Naw Bu told DVB on Tuesday that the 17-vessel Burma Navy fleet has been stuck on the Irrawaddy River in Shwegu Township after being attacked by KIA-led resistance forces on July 26.
The naval fleet is reportedly travelling toward Bhamo, located 64 miles (102 km) east of Shwegu, to provide support to regime forces fighting the KIA over control of the town. Sources in Bhamo told DVB that airstrikes were carried out on riverside villages under KIA control.
MANDALAY—The People’s Defence Force (PDF) stated that at least 22 civilians were killed and 30 others were injured by an airstrike in Singu Township on Tuesday. Singu was seized by the PDF in July 2024. It is located 57 miles (91 km) north of Mandalay along the Mogok road.
A PDF member told DVB that the number of casualties may increase. Singu’s Letpanhla village police station, where several inmates were being held, was reportedly hit in the airstrike. The PDF accused the regime of targeting civilians as there was no fighting in the area.
SHAN—Residents of Nawnghkio Township told DVB that regime officials have seized at least 10 homes belonging to people allegedly supporting the TNLA and the PDF. Regime troops recaptured Nawnghkio, located 96 miles (154 km) south of Lashio, on July 16.
A resident told DVB that those who had their homes seized and sealed off by the authorities did not have any ties to the resistance forces. A DVB request for comment from the regime’s Shan State Economic Minister Khun Thein Maung went unanswered.
YANGON—A regime healthcare professional told DVB that at least 20 residents have died from dengue fever, with cases surpassing 1,300 since May. He claimed that most cases were reported in Hlaingthaya, Shwepyitha and Thaketa townships.
A source close to the regime told DVB that its efforts to eradicate dengue in 44 townships were “insufficient” due to a lack of cooperation from health officials. At least 15 dengue-related deaths and 6,452 cases were reported last year, according to the regime Ministry of Health.
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