Two killed by airstrikes during Chin State counteroffensive
The Chin People’s Army (CPA), which is the armed wing of the Chin People’s Union (CPU), stated on Saturday that two civilians were killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in Chin State’s Matupi Township on May 19. It added that a total of 25 airstrikes hit Matupi, Mindat and Kanpetlet towns, located 171-189 miles (275-304 km) south of the Chin State capital Hakha, over the last 10 days.
Matupi, Kanpetlet and Mindat were seized by the Chin Brotherhood in 2024. The Chin Brotherhood is a member of the CPA, which is an alliance of four Chin Defence Force (CDF) units formed in southern Chin on Jan. 12. Yaw Man, the CPA spokesperson, declined to give a comment to DVB when requested, citing military confidentiality during the regime counteroffensive against the CPA in southern Chin.
Htet Ni, the Chin National Army (CNA) spokesperson, told DVB that the counteroffensive in southern Chin has a strength of at least 6,000 regime troops. The military regained control of Tonzang from the CNA on May 19, and Falam from the Chin Brotherhood on April 25. The Chin Brotherhood and the CNA have held unification talks in Aizawl, India, but no progress has been announced publicly since Feb. 26, 2025.
Middle East crisis deepening hunger in Myanmar
Rising fertilizer prices and fuel shortages linked to the crisis in the Middle East, since Feb. 28, could reduce Burma’s agricultural output by up to 15 per cent, worsening food insecurity into 2027, stated the E.U. and the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) on May 18. In response, the E.U. announced an eight million Euro ($8.7 million USD) contribution to support emergency food and nutrition assistance across the country.
“The humanitarian situation is no longer just driven by domestic factors such as the ongoing conflict; global shocks are now reaching markets, farms and households across the country,” stated Michael Dunford, the WFP Country Director for Burma, adding how fuel prices have tripled nationwide in the last 90 days, while the cost of a basic food basket has increased by an average of 18 per cent.
Magway Region faced an increase of 38 per cent, followed by Karen and Arakan states at 32 and 31 per cent. One in four people, which is 12.4 million citizens, are experiencing acute food insecurity, while 3.7 million have been displaced by conflict. The WFP announced that it is providing emergency food and nutrition assistance to conflict-affected families, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and children.
Mun Awng’s Japan concert tour raises funds for resistance
Singer-songwriter and pro-democracy activist Mun Awng, 66, performed at the “Melody of Freedom” fundraising concert tour in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday to support Burma’s anti-coup movement, as well as communities impacted by the conflict since 2021. Organizers estimated that around 260 people attended the concert and additional shows are scheduled for Nagoya on May 31 and Okinawa on June 7.
“Both younger and older generations drew strength from Mun Awng’s performance at the event,” Khine Myat, one of the “Melody of Freedom” concert organizers, told DVB. He added that the youth from Burma and the diaspora continue to connect with Mun Awng’s songs of resistance. Many of them have become popular since the 2021 coup due to their association with the 1988, or “8888”, pro-democracy uprising.
Mun Awng, born in 1960 in Myitkyina, Kachin State, rose to prominence in Burma during the 1980s before joining the pro-democracy movement and later continuing his activism in exile following the 1988 military crackdown and coup. Since 2021, Mun Awng has performed at fundraising events in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia in support of those in exile for opposing the 2021 coup.
News by Region
BAGO—The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) reported that Htay Aung Naing, a jailed National League for Democracy (NLD) member, died of complications from coronary artery disease at the 500-bed hospital in Pyay Township on Friday. Pyay is located 180 miles (289 km) northwest of the region’s capital Bago.
PPNM added that Htay Aung Naing was transferred from Pyay Prison to the hospital on May 22 after suffering from a shortness of breath and bloating on May 21. He was convicted by the Pyay Prison court under Section 50(j) and 52(a) of Counter-Terrorism Law on Jan. 17, 2024 and sentenced to 15 years, according to PPNM.
MAGWAY—The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Myaing Township stated on Monday that it rescued 49 civilians from a pro-regime militia camp in Thayetkan village on Saturday. Myaing is located 130 miles (209 km) north of the region’s capital Magway, and is contested between the PDF and pro-regime forces.
A PDF member told DVB that four pro-regime militia members were killed and 70 others fled the camp. The PDF did not disclose any casualty figures. The PDF warned Myaing residents not to enter Thayetkan village due to the possible presence of landmines and unexploded ordnance.
MANDALAY—Three people, including a fuel station owner, were arrested and 1,890 gallons (7,154 liter) of fuel were seized by police in Madaya Township May 20-22, residents told DVB over the weekend. Madaya is located 25 miles (40 km) north of the regional capital Mandalay.
The three are accused of illegal fuel storage and charged under the Myanmar Petroleum and Petroleum Products Law, which was enacted in 2017. A Madaya resident told DVB that the three were also accused of supporting the PDF. A fuel station owner and a salesperson were also arrested in Madaya on April 30 and May 1.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,200 MMK)
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