Internal Politics
- The military regime extended emergency rule for sixth time
The National Defense and Security Council convened in Nay Pyi Taw on the morning of July 31, where the military council announced a six-month extension of the emergency period. The meeting was presided over by General Min Aung Hlaing, who assumed the duties of Acting President U Myint Swe, currently on medical leave. Lieutenant General Soe Win and other council members were also in attendance. General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the extension was necessary to maintain peace and stability and to prepare for elections. This marks the sixth consecutive extension of the emergency period since the military seized power, in violation of the 2008 Constitution.
- Coup leader announced phased elections based on security conditions
At the National Defence and Security Council meeting, coup leader Min Aung Hlaing stated that elections will be conducted in phases, depending on the security situation in various regions. He emphasized that the elections will follow the 2008 Constitution, with voting beginning in areas where security permits. He added that security measures will be intensified in regions where elections have not yet been possible to ensure they can be conducted. Min Aung Hlaing also addressed recent armed conflicts in northern Shan State, specifically in Lashio, Naung Cho, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mogok, where resistance forces, including the MNDAA and the Three Brotherhood Alliance led by the TNLA, have launched attacks. He assured that the military council would accelerate efforts to restore stability and peace in these contested areas.
- Political prisoners released after Lashio prison capture
On the morning of July 28, following the capture of Lashio prison, the inmates held there were freed, including U Tun Tun Hein, the Deputy Speaker of the People’s Hluttaw and a central executive member of the National League for Democracy (NLD). Over 200 political prisoners had been detained in Lashio Township. According to an official from the National Unity Government (NUG), the PDFs and revolutionary forces played a key role in the operation. The NUG Defense Ministry spokesperson U Maung Maung Swe said that some of the prisoners sustained injuries, though none were critical, and they are now receiving medical care. For generations, political prisoners unjustly detained by the military have clung to the hope that their revolutionary comrades would one day liberate them. After more than three years since the military coup led by Min Aung Hlaing, that hope has finally become a reality.
- The NUG prime minister urged vigilance as military operations approached Mandalay
Mann Win Khaing Than, Prime Minister of the NUG, emphasized the need for constant vigilance as military operations near Mandalay. Speaking at the NUG meeting on July 30, he stressed the importance of closely monitoring the military, administrative, and political situations. He urged preparation in advance according to regional needs and highlighted the necessity of strengthening both military and administrative systems during the revolution. He warned that military and administrative systems must be strengthened while remaining aware of the crucial political developments. He also said that understanding the enemies’ movements is essential for the preparation for victory. The prime minister called for a timely plan to dismantle the crumbling military council and successfully conclude the revolution.
- AA imposed ban on fishing boats in Gwa and Thandwe
On August 1, the Arakan Army (AA) announced a ban on the movement of motorboats and fishing vessels in the coastal towns of Thandwe and Gwa in Rakhine State. The AA stated that this measure aims to disrupt the regime’s use of civilian boats to transport food, ammunition, and reinforcements. Despite the AA’s full occupation of key areas, including business centers, military camps, and the airport in Thandwe as of July 16, sporadic clashes continue with retreating military forces in areas like Mya Pyin, Jit Gaw, and Kwin Wine. The AA, which has vowed to seize all military bases in Rakhine State, already controls about half of the region, with ongoing attacks on military camps in Maungdaw and An. The statement also noted that the southernmost townships of Gwa and Taungup would be maintained.
International Affairs
- US senators urged greater support to Myanmar’s resistance forces
Due to the lack of sufficient U.S. support for Myanmar’s revolutionary forces, Senators Benjamin Cardin and Mitch McConnell, representing both Democratic and Republican parties, urged the U.S. government to adopt a more supportive policy. In an open letter dated July 29, addressed to the Secretary of State and the heads of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the senators emphasized the need for quicker implementation of the BURMA Act. This law, signed by President Joe Biden in December 2022, mandates over $120 million in aid for Myanmar’s democracy this year. However, the letter expressed concern that the U.S. government’s efforts are being hindered by a narrow interpretation of “non-lethal assistance.” The senators argued that non-lethal aid, such as medical supplies, bulletproof vests, air attack early warning systems, and drones, could significantly help the forces resisting Myanmar’s military council.
- Fortify Rights called to end military conscription
On July 26, Fortify Rights demanded an immediate halt to the Myanmar military’s illegal conscription in Rakhine State and other areas. The organization also called on Muslim armed groups in Bangladesh to stop forcibly abducting Rohingya refugees from camps and transporting them to Myanmar. According to a new investigation by Fortify Rights, these abducted refugees are being forced into military service by the Myanmar military, which constitutes both a violation of law and human trafficking. Ejaz Min Khant, a Human Rights Associate at Fortify Rights, stated that the Rohingya who have escaped genocide by the Myanmar military council are now being coerced into joining the very army responsible for these atrocities. Fortify Rights claims that protecting the rights and security of the Rohingya in Rakhine State and camps in Bangladesh should be a global priority.
- Cambodia’s Hun Sen urged the regime to include all stakeholders in dialogues
Cambodian Speaker of Parliament Hun Sen urged Myanmar’s military council to consider all political and diplomatic options and to involve all stakeholders in efforts to achieve peace in the country. According to the Khmer Times, Hun Sen, former Prime Minister of Cambodia and current Speaker of the Parliament, made these remarks on August 1 during a meeting with U Ko Ko Hlaing, a minister of the military council. He emphasized the importance of including all parties in discussions to end the conflict in Myanmar, stating that even those reluctant to engage in talks should not be excluded. Hun Sen also recommended that the military council send non-political representatives to ASEAN meetings. Drawing on Cambodia’s own experiences, he stressed that Myanmar must avoid prolonged suffering similar to that endured by Cambodia during its own conflicts.
Business Matters
- NUG and China discuss future of Chinese invested copper factory seized by the PDF
U Kyaw Zaw, spokesperson for the NUG’s president’s office in Sagaing Region reported that following the seizure of the Chinese-invested Tagong copper factory by the NUG’s armed forces, the PDF, discussions are underway between the NUG and China regarding the factory’s future. The PDF took control of the factory in Htigyint Township at the end of July. U Kyaw Zaw, the NUG presidential office spokesperson, told Myanmar Now that approximately 50 soldiers from the military council, stationed at Myanmar’s largest nickel production site—backed by an $855 million investment from China’s China Nonferrous Metal Mining and Construction—surrendered their weapons during the last week of July. The Chinese side has since reached out to the NUG to discuss the soldiers’ surrender and the factory’s future. The PDFs ensured the soldiers’ safe departure from the factory area.
- Gold and USD prices continued to rise
This week, the price of gold has increased to 7 million Myanmar Kyats per Kyattha (Tical), and the exchange rate for one USD has risen to 5,500 Myanmar Kyats. The regime’s forces have continued to crack down on the market, arresting over 93 people, accusing them of causing market instability.
- Another fuel outage under the regime
Starting July 29, the public has experienced a third fuel outage under the regime. It has affected Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and other major cities. Hundreds of vehicles have once again queued up in front of gas stations to purchase Octane 92 and 95. The gas stations have restricted sales, limiting them to between 12 liters and 20 liters per vehicle. The outage is due to the regime’s restriction on selling USD that businesses use to buy fuel, as well as forcing businesses to sell fuel at minimum prices.
- 20,000 MMK currency notes circulated among pubic
Amid the fuel outage and the skyrocketing price of gold and USD, the regime’s newly introduced 20,000 MMK currency notes have been circulated among the public. On July 31, 2023, the junta printed and distributed the 20,000 MMK notes, marking the first birthday of a white elephant. Back then, the junta said it was only printed in limited quantities. However, these notes have been widely distributed now. A person who recently withdrew money from a military-controlled bank said 10 percent of the withdrawn money was in 20,000 MMK notes.
Humanitarian Affairs
- More than 600 civilians were killed in Karenni State after the coup
On August 1, the Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) reported that during the three-and-a-half years of military rule, 667 civilians, including displaced people, were killed in Mobye, Southern Shan State, and the cities of Phekhon and Karenni (Kayah) states. The PKPF statement highlighted that there have been 1,189 battles and 1,655 airstrikes conducted by the Military Council Army since the coup. Additionally, the military has targeted 52 religious buildings with aerial attacks and artillery fire, while also damaging 25 schools, 16 clinics, and 2,682 homes.
- More than 300 civilians killed in Sagaing in 2024
On August 2, the Association for the Assistance of Political Prisoners (AAPP) announced that 334 civilians were killed by military council troops in Sagaing from January 1 to July 31, 2024. The casualties included 111 women and 223 men, with 39 victims under the age of 18. The AAPP reported that 105 of the deceased were killed using various methods after being captured and detained by the military. In the first seven months of this year, 161 individuals, including 12 minors, were sentenced to prison under the military council in Sagaing. Among those sentenced, one person received the death penalty and 14 were given life imprisonment. According to AAPP statistics, over 5,472 civilians have been killed, and more than 27,141 arrested due to military actions since the coup, up until August 2, 2024.
- Over 100,000 undocumented Myanmar workers arrested in Thailand
From June 5 to July 25, more than 110,000 undocumented Myanmar workers were arrested in Thailand, according to sources involved in migrant worker affairs. U Moe Kyoe, Chairman of the Joint Action Committee for Burma’s Affairs (JACBA), informed RFA that these arrests were part of a 12-day operation initiated in early June to target illegal foreign workers. Under this plan, undocumented workers found without a work permit or engaged in prohibited types of work face fines ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 Thai baht. In addition to deportation, these workers will be banned from re-entering Thailand for two years, and those who return during this period risk imprisonment for two years. Employers who hire undocumented workers will be fined between 10,000 and 100,000 baht per worker, and those with multiple offenses may face up to one year in prison and fines ranging from 50,000 to 200,000 baht. In total, nearly 150,000 foreign workers, including 658 from Myanmar, 147 from Laos, 141 from Cambodia, 21 from Vietnam, and 70 from other countries, have been arrested under this plan.
- Flooding displaces thousands of refugees along Thai-Myanmar border
Refugees reported that rising water levels in the Moei River along the Thai-Myanmar border have caused flooding, affecting around 5,000 individuals in need of food and healthcare. The situation has worsened due to ongoing fighting in Karen State, as families from seven villages near the river face repeated flooding. A healthcare worker at the Palao Ta Po IDP camp noted that from July 23 to 28, approximately 20 houses were damaged by river flooding and bank erosion. Continuous rainfall has led to outbreaks of seasonal flu, dengue fever, and malaria among the displaced. The Plao Ta Po camp is currently sheltering over 2,000 people who fled the conflict in Lay Ke Ko. Additionally, in the Thay Baw Boe refugee camp nearby, around 200 refugees were urgently evacuated to higher ground due to the flooding from the Moei River.
Attacks on the Junta’s Lackeys & Assets
- Junta’s military truck blasted on Yangon-Mandalay Express Highway
On the morning of July 29, three military trucks traveling on the Yangon-Mandalay Express Highway were hit by landmines planted by resistance forces near mile marker 322. One truck caught fire and was destroyed. Injured soldiers were reportedly sent to Meikhtila military hospital, but exact casualties are unverified. Approximately 40 troops were being transported in the convoy.
- Junta inspection gate and office targeted in Yangon
On July 30, Yangon-based Operation Flame (OF) Urban Guerilla Force announced that it had attacked two military locations in Yangon. The simultaneous attacks targeted a retired military office on the Yangon-Bago Highway and Infantry Unit 82’s inspection gate on No.3 Road in Mingladon Township. Casualties were reported, but exact numbers have not been released. OF rangers managed to escape without any casualties. OF has pledged full support for the second wave of Operation 1027 and commits to conducting its own missions in harmony.
- Nearly 90 gov staff joined CDM in Kanpetlet tsp, Chin State
On July 31, the Kanpetlet People’s Administrative Force in Chin State announced that about 88 government staff working under the junta’s command have joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in the township. The staff are mostly from health and education departments. The People’s Administrative Force had warned the staff in May to join CDM within two months or face consequences. Some who refused to join the movement have either fled the area or requested transfers. On August 1, the National Unity Government (NUG) reported that a total of 54 military officers, including two majors, joined the CDM in July.
- Regime’s colonel died in helicopter crash in Mhawbi tsp, Yangon
On August 2, a military helicopter crashed due to an engine fault at the military airbase in Mhawbi Township, Yangon. The crash claimed the lives of Maj-Gen Soe Tin Latt, head of the Southern Region Air Force Command, and his co-pilot, Col Myo Thaung. Two other crew members—a female pilot and a senior engineer—were injured but survived. The Eurocopter helicopter was conducting a training flight at Hmawbi Air Base, about 20 miles north of Yangon International Airport, when the crash occurred. Soe Tin Latt was linked to aerial bombing campaigns targeting resistance movements, including the Pazigyi incident, which killed over 165 civilians.
Arbitrary Arrests, Killings & Violence
- Over 42 civilians arrested for dissent in July
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) reported that the junta arrested 42 civilians in July for supporting resistance movements, including 25 men and 17 women. Yangon and Mandalay each have over ten people arrested. During the same period, the regime’s military tribunals sentenced at least 17 people to prison for counterterrorism acts, with Sagaing Region topping the list at eight sentences.
- Two political prisoners died in Thayet and Insein prisons
Two political prisoners detained in Magway’s Thayet Prison and Yangon’s Insein Prison have died. On the night of July 26, Ko Nyi Nyi from Thayet Prison suffered from hypertension. Due to insufficient medication and lack of coordination from prison authorities, he died in his cell without being sent to the hospital. Ko Nyi Nyi, aged 39, was arrested in November 2022 and sentenced to 11 years for political charges. On July 30, Ko Nay Lin Htike, aged 41, died of throat cancer in Insein Prison. He suffered stage 4 cancer and was treated both inside the prison and in outside hospitals. Ko Nay Lin Htike was arrested in February 2022 and sentenced to 9.5 years for counterterrorism acts. He previously worked as a journalist at DVB before 2021.
- Junta restricted youths traveling overseas
Since August 1, the regime has restricted youths from traveling overseas, with many being sent home from Yangon airport due to “insufficient” documentation. Police have camped at the departure gate, conducting thorough checks of identifications. Those carrying a Passport for Job (PJ) and aged between 23 and 35 are mainly targeted. On August 1, only men were sent home, but on August 2, women were included. Some managed to leave after bribing the police. Starting August 3, those carrying a Passport for Visit (PV) have also been questioned and sent home.
- Regime’s airstrike casued casualties in Laukkai area, Shan-north
Around 1 am on August 2, junta forces conducted an airstrike in Laukkai Town, northern Shan State. The aerial attack targeted Tonchain and Kyinmauk areas, including a hospital in Laukkai, which is under the control of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The offensive came as the MNDAA was making progress in occupying Lashio. Hospital buildings were burned down and some patients were killed, but exact casualty numbers are unverified.
Armed Resistance
- Over 200 regime soldiers and family members captured by Chin forces in Matupi
Chin forces reported capturing over 200 regime soldiers and their family members following the seizure of Matupi Town in southern Chin State. On July 25, a clash occurred near Matupi, causing regime soldiers to retreat. Following the clash, a large number of soldiers and their family members came under the command of Chin forces. The detainees included the battalion commander, children, and women. Some detainees died during the retreat due to a lack of food and medicine.
- KNU seized junta military station in Pulaw tsp, Tanintharyi Region
On July 31, the Karen National Union (KNU) reported that its armed forces had conducted an offensive in Pulaw Township, Tanintharyi Region, seizing a military station in Pulaw Kone Village. The KNU rangers blocked regime reinforcement routes before the regime soldiers abandoned the station on July 29. Multiple weapons and ammunition were seized. The regime soldiers had camped in the village since the coup. Clashes have intensified in Tanintharyi Region since June, with the regime conducting artillery attacks and airstrikes.
- KIA occupied three regime stations in Myitkyina tsp, Kachin State
On August 2, a spokesperson for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) reported that the KIA and allied forces had occupied three regime stations located in Tiyanzoot Village, Myitkyina Township, Kachin State. The offensive began on August 1, and the complete takeover occurred the following day. One of the stations is located on the border of Myitkyina and Sumprabum, manned by about 40 regime troops.
- MNDAA seized Junta’s Northeastern Command in Lashio, Shan State (north)
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) claims to have seized the headquarters of the junta’s Northeastern Command base in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, after a month of fighting. The armed group claimed the seizure on July 25, but fighting continued until the morning of August 3 due to remaining scattered stations inside the compound. In the month-long clash, over 100 civilians, including social volunteers, were killed by artillery and airstrikes, while more than 200 were injured. Hundreds of households were destroyed and over 200,000 people have been displaced.
- AA continued to occupy Maungdaw tsp, Rakhine State
The Arakan Army (AA) reportedly continues to occupy the last remaining regime station in Maungdaw Township, Rakhine State. AA has seized the entire township, but the junta’s border guard station has resisted their offensive. The regime has armed Rohingyas to defend the township, intensifying clashes around the town and fueling tensions between the AA and the Rohingyas. Junta forces have bombed the town multiple times. If AA seizes Maungdaw, they will control the 168-mile Myanmar-Bangladesh border.
- Over 200 regime soldiers and family members captured by Chin forces in Matupi
Chin forces reported capturing over 200 regime soldiers and their family members following the seizure of Matupi Town in southern Chin State. On July 25, a clash occurred near Matupi, causing regime soldiers to retreat. Following the clash, a large number of soldiers and their family members came under the command of Chin forces. The detainees included the battalion commander, children, and women. Some detainees died during the retreat due to a lack of food and medicine.
Sources: Myanmar Now, Khit Thit Media, RFA Burmese, DVB, Irrawaddy, Mizzima News
