Yangon residents report back-to-back quakes
The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology reported on Thursday that a 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck in Burma’s territorial waters, 54 miles (86 km) south of the earthquake monitoring center in Kabaraye Township, Yangon Region. This followed a 4.8-magnitude quake on Wednesday, which hit a point in the sea 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Pyapon in Ayeyarwady Region. No casualties were reported.
Residents across Yangon’s Botahtaung, Lanmadaw, Mingalar Taungnyunt and Kyimyindaing townships reported on social media that they felt the earthquake on Aug. 20 and 21. No damage was reported. Independent meteorologist Win Naing advised residents via social media to keep important documents and medicines ready to go in case of another major quake which could force people out of their homes.
At least 4,477 were killed and 11,366 were injured during the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in central Burma on March 28, according to DVB data. Mandalay, Sagaing, Magway, Bago, Naypyidaw and southern Shan State were the six hardest-hit regions. Residents near the epicenter of Sagaing and neighbouring Mandalay regions told DVB that the monsoon season has worsened living conditions for survivors of the earthquake.
Livelihood recovery initiative in quake-impacted areas
The International Labour Organization (ILO) launched an initiative on Tuesday to assist with livelihood recovery and to strengthen community resilience in areas of Burma devastated by the March 28 earthquake, which has affected more than 17 million people with more than nine million facing severe hardships since then, according to the U.N.
“This initiative is to mitigate the impact of conflicts and earthquake disasters on workers and enterprises. The ILO’s response is aligned with the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, ensuring that crisis responses contribute to long-term recovery and resilience of the social partners, communities and people of Myanmar,” said Kaori Nakamura-Osaka, the ILO assistant director-general.
The ILO initiative is funded by Japan to rebuild and repair schools, health centres, multi-purpose halls, roads, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. It seeks to restore livelihoods, and strengthen resilience in the 58 townships, where extensive damage occurred. It will prioritise job creation, decent work, and capacity-building in collaboration with affected communities, focusing on women.
Airstrike on northern Shan State kills 10 in Kyaukme
The Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) stated that 10 civilians were killed and 12 others were injured by an airstrike carried out by the Burma Air Force on Nawngping village of Kyaukme Township, in northern Shan State, on Wednesday. It added that the death toll is expected to increase. Nawnping village is under SSPP control. It is located 127 miles (204 km) southeast of its headquarters in Wanhai, Kyethi Township.
Rescue operations in Kyaukme remain hindered due to ongoing fighting between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and regime forces. Kyaukme town was seized by the TNLA in August 2024. It is located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of Lashio and 107 miles (172 km) east of Mandalay. The SSPP has declared that it would defend its territory if attacked but stated that it is not seeking confrontation with regime forces.
Thousands of civilians from villages in Kyaukme have fled their homes.
Sources close to the TNLA said that fighting has continued since a regime counteroffensive began in Kyaukme on Aug. 19. Regime forces have intensified ground operations since it took control of Nawnghkio from the TNLA on July 16. Kyaukme, as well as Hsipaw Township, and Mogok Township in Mandalay Region were seized by the TNLA in 2024.
News by Region
TANINTHARYI—Residents of Kawthaung Township told DVB that regime authorities had conscripted an unknown number of women from over 1,000 nationals deported from Thailand over the last eight months. Kawthaung is located 406 miles (653 km) south of the region’s capital Dawei.
The Myanmar Defense & Security Institute reported that the regime has been training its first batch of female conscripts over the last two months. The conscription law stipulates that women aged 18 to 27 must also serve in the military for at least two years. The regime had been excluding women since the law was enforced on Feb. 10, 2024.
SHAN—The United Wa State Army (UWSA) announced that it would no longer provide financial aid or weapons to any armed organization following a meeting with the TNLA, the SSPP, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Pangsang, located 123 miles (198 km) east of Lashio.
“China will not allow any further fighting in northern [Burma],” said Zhao Guoan, the vice chairperson and minister of foreign relations for “Wa State,” an autonomous region under UWSA control which is composed of six townships, including the Wa Self-Administered Division, in northern and eastern Shan.
SAGAING—An activist group in Kanbalu Township told DVB that five civilians were killed and homes in five villages were burned down and looted by a column of 200 pro-regime troops carrying out an operation since Aug. 16. Kanbalu is located 104 miles (167 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
The Kyunhla Activist Group told DVB that regime troops raped and killed an 80-year-old woman on Aug. 16. The group also accused regime troops of arson and looting empty houses after families had fled the township. Control of Kanbalu is contested between regime and resistance forces.
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