Min Aung Hlaing meets with Xi Jinping in China
Regime leader Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Tianjin, China, on Saturday. He arrived in Tianjin earlier the same day to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1. Regime media reported that the two discussed the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC), a road and rail transportation network connecting China to the coast of Burma at Kyaukpyu in Arakan State.
Min Aung Hlaing and President XI also discussed aid following the March 28 earthquake, which killed over 7,000 and injured over 11,000, according to DVB data. He thanked China for opposing “external interference” in Burma’s politics, and Beijing’s pledge to send observers to regime elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28. President Xi reportedly pledged to support Burma’s entry into the SCO.
BBC Burmese reported that Min Aung Hlaing mentioned Beijing’s pressure to bring ethnic armed groups in northern Shan State to the negotiating table with Naypyidaw. The Brotherhood Alliance–consisting of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA)-seized 75 towns during Operation 1027, which had the tacit support of China.
Read our latest op-ed by Harry Myo Lin: Myanmar and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation on DVB English News Opinion.
Fifteen regime troops ‘killed’ by resistance in Karenni State
Karenni resistance forces claimed that they had killed at least 15 regime troops during fighting at Ngwetaung village in Demoso Township on Friday. A source on the frontline told DVB that regime forces controlled only half of Demoso town. Pro-regime media reported that it was taken by the regime from the Karenni resistance on Aug. 19. Demoso is located 11 miles (17 km) south of the Karenni State capital Loikaw.
A resistance commander from a group called the “Karenni Regional Tactical 11” told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces are attempting to resupply the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 531, 428 and No. 14 military training school in Hpruso Township, as well as its positions in Bawlakhe Township, from Demoso. Hpruso and Bawlakhe are located 11-41 miles (17-66 km) south of Demoso.
The Karenni Interim Executive Council, a provisional government established by resistance forces in 2023, told DVB one civilian was killed by a regime Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or drone, at a camp for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Hpruso on Aug. 29. Fighting between Karenni resistance and regime forces was reported on the 11-mile-long (17 km) Demoso-Hpruso road on Aug. 28.
Naypyidaw designates Karen National Union as ‘terrorist’ group
The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that it is not surprised to be labelled a “terrorist” organization by Naypyidaw. The regime Ministry of Internal Affairs applied the declaration against the KNU–one of the country’s oldest ethnic armed groups–and claimed that the “intentions and actions [of the KNU] endanger the rule of law, stability and the public’s peace and prosperity.”
Padoh Saw Taw Nee, the KNU spokesperson, told DVB that labelling the group as a terrorist organization enables the regime to prosecute anyone with ties to it under the Unlawful Associations Act. The regime accuses the KNU of killing civilians, destroying state property, as well as firing artillery and UAV, or drones, at towns under its control.
The KNU was previously designated a “terrorist” group following the 1962 military coup by Burma Army General Ne Win. It was removed from the list in 2015 by the Thein Sein government to allow it to become a signatory to the 2015 Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). But since the 2021 military coup, it has taken up arms against the military. It called on the people of Burma to boycott the regime elections on Dec. 28.
News by Region
Regime troops at the damaged section of the Gokhteik Viaduct, a colonial-era bridge connecting Nawnghkio to Kyaukme townships, in northern Shan State, on Aug. 29. (Credit: CINCDS)
SHAN—Regime media reported on Saturday that the military killed 24 “terrorists” and recaptured the Gokhteik Viaduct and its surroundings in Nawnghkio Township from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Nawnghkio is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the regional capital Lashio.
The report added that engineers are repairing the damaged section of the bridge, which connects to Kyaukme Township. Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun blamed the TNLA for the damage on Aug. 24. Regime forces took control of the bridge after 12 days of fighting with the TNLA, which began on Aug. 19.
AYEYARWADY—Residents of Lemyethna Township told DVB that at least 15 civilians, including an unknown number of teachers and students, were injured by a drone attack at a school in Yinse village on Wednesday. Lemyethna is located 75 miles (120 km) north of the region’s capital Pathein.
A Lemyethna resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that nobody was killed. Regime media reported that the Arakan Army (AA) and the People’s Defense Force (PDF) were behind the attack. Yinse village is under regime control. Residents added that no resistance groups are in the area.
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