Two civilians killed by ‘indiscriminate’ attacks in Kachin State
Residents of Hpakant Township in Kachin State told DVB that two civilians were killed and seven others were injured by artillery and drone attacks carried out by regime forces on Sutbum village on Tuesday. Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the Kachin State capital Myitkyina and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters of Laiza.
A Hpakant resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that a 100-troop regime column shot indiscriminately into villages, killing one civilian and injuring three others on Aug. 25. Over 70 civilians have been killed and 250 others have been injured since fighting between the KIA and regime forces began in Hpakant’s Lonekhin village-tract on May 28, according to residents there.
The KIA seized the jade mining hub of Hpakant town in April 2024. Residents told DVB that around 600 regime troops have been deployed on the roads connecting Hpakant and Kamaing towns in Hpakant Township since early August. Kachin State has 18 townships and the KIA has seized control of Sumprabum, Injangyang, Shwegu, Chipwi and Tsawlaw townships since it launched an offensive on March 7, 2024.
Some Myanmar refugees legally allowed to work in Thailand
The Thai government passed a resolution on Wednesday that will allow 81,000 refugees from Burma living in nine refugee camps in Thailand to work legally in the country, The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) praised the Thai government and said that allowing refugees to work would bring a significant boost to the national economy.
“By unlocking the potential of these individuals, Thailand is not only upholding humanitarian principles but also making a strategic investment in its own future,” said Tammi Sharpe, the UNHCR Representative in Thailand. Roughly 108,000 refugees from Burma live in the nine camps, which have been sheltering people since the 1980s.
Nearly half of the total 108,000 were born in the Thai refugee camps. Work permits will only be available to about 80,000 refugees registered with the Thai government, an estimated 42,000 of whom are working age. Refugees will be required to apply for permission to leave the camps and for work permits valid up to one year. Read more
Strong wind damaged or destroyed 120 homes in two villages of Nyaungshwe Township surrounding Inle Lake, Shan State, on Aug. 26. (Credit: CJ)
Winds damage 120 homes in southern Shan State
Residents of Nyaungshwe Township in southern Shan State told DVB that a total of 120 homes in two villages around Inle Lake were either damaged or destroyed on Tuesday by strong winds caused by remnants of Typhoon Kajiki, which was downgraded to a tropical depression when it made landfall on Monday. Nyaungshwe is located 18 miles (28 km) south of the state capital Taunggyi.
“Six new houses rebuilt after the earthquake were destroyed by the winds,” a Nyaungshwe resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that only 85 percent of the homes destroyed during the March 28 earthquake have been rebuilt. The Pa-O Youth Organization (PYO) stated that nearly 100 residents from 25 villages around Inle Lake were killed and a total of 3,255 homes were destroyed on March 28.
Residents told DVB that they need materials to build temporary shelters following the storm. The regime’s Department of Meteorology and Hydrology estimated that heavy rain and wind will continue until Friday as the tropical depression weakened to a low pressure area as it crossed northern Thailand into Burma on Aug. 26. Heavy rain caused flash floods in Naypyidaw’s Tatkon Township on Aug. 27.
News by Region
KARENNI—The Karenni State Police stated on Wednesday that it has prosecuted a total of 641 cases, including homicide, rape, robbery, domestic violence, drug offences, and other crimes such as “advocating on behalf of the military,” over the last four years since it was established.
Six township police offices, six police stations, 16 security stations, 12 security posts, 10 gates, and one supervisory office have been opened since 2021 to provide law enforcement for residents. Shadaw, Hpasawng, and Mese were among 63 townships placed under martial law on July 31.
SAGAING—The Wesean Student Federation (WSF), which advocates for communities living along the Burma-India border, called on the Indian government to reverse the end of the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which allowed up to 16 km of travel on both sides of the border without a visa.
“We condemn in the strongest possible terms the central government’s decision to scrap the [FMR] and to push ahead with border-fencing and intrusive biometric mapping of border communities,” wrote Kerik Mech, the WSF public relations director, in a press release on Aug. 27.
SHAN—Residents of Kyaukme Township in northern Shan told DVB that fighting between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and regime forces continued in Nawngpain village, located 23 miles (37 km) south of Kyaukme, on Wednesday. Kyaukme was seized by the TNLA in August 2024.
Zin Yaw, a Burma Army defector, told DVB that regime forces struggle to advance due to a shortage of artillery and rations. A resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime troops have been relying on the Air Force and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones.
The Myanmar Defence and Security Institute (MDSI) told DVB that the suspension of weapons deliveries to ethnic armed groups announced by the United Wa State Army (UWSA) on Aug. 20 could lead to a ‘stalemate’ on the battlefield between regime and resistance forces.
“Resistance forces may struggle [to purchase new weapons],” Naung Yoe, an MDSI analyst told DVB, adding that the lack of unity is also to blame for this setback. “Intense pressure” from China was cited by a UWSA political leader as the reason it is halting all support to armed groups.
The Shan Human Rights Foundation (SHRF) reported that there are a total of 19 rare earth mining sites – up from three in 2021 – in National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) controlled Mong Yawng Township in eastern Shan. Mong Yawng is located 373 miles (600 km) northeast of Taunggyi.
The SHRF stated that all 19 mines are located in the mountains along the Burma-China border, which has caused contamination in tributaries of the Mekong River. Extracted minerals are exported into China, often without formal permits or oversight, according to the group.
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