Kachin leader ready for talks with regime in Myitkyina
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Deputy Chairperson Gunmaw Sumlut claimed that the regime in Naypyidaw requested a meeting with the KIO online, but that he refused twice preferring to hold in-person talks in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina. This follows meetings he held with the National Unity Government (NUG), the Chin Brotherhood, and the Yaw Army, at undisclosed locations on Aug. 9.
Salai Yaw Man, the Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, told DVB that the talks with the KIO leader were meant to discuss possible “strategic” cooperation with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA). Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, told DVB that he was not informed of any meetings between the KIO and the NUG, Chin Brotherhood, or Yaw Army. None of the resistance groups disclosed details of the talks.
Gunmaw confirmed meeting for the first time with the Chin Brotherhood, which operates in Chinland, and the Yaw Army, which operates in Magway Region. In Kachin State, Sumprabum, Injangyang, Shwegu, Chipwi, and Tsawlaw, as well as Mabein in northern Shan State, are under either full or partial KIA control. These six towns are among 63 townships placed under martial law by Min Aung Hlaing on July 31.
Video streaming services targeted by Naypyidaw
Thuta Khit Entertainment announced that its streaming service Thuta Khit™ will shut down temporarily in order to obtain a broadcast license from the regime Ministry of Information even though it permanently revoked licences belonging to AWS+ and Channel Myanmar, two video streaming services which are broadcasting foreign films with Burmese subtitles, on Aug. 7.
A translator from Channel Myanmar told DVB on the condition of anonymity that he thinks that Naypyidaw only wants people to watch regime media television channels. The ministry issued a statement that it would permanently revoke business licences of any company if they fail to submit films they intend to broadcast on television or online to its Motion Picture Censor Board.
On March 13, 2024, the regime issued an order requiring registration for all video streaming services under the Essential Supplies and Services Law. It states that all entities must submit content intended to be broadcast to the ministry, or face the revocation of business licenses. Human rights groups criticized this new order, stating that the regime is restricting freedom of expression.
UN report says senior military figures involved in torture
U.N. investigators stated that they have found evidence of systematic torture and identified some of the most senior perpetrators. The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), formed in 2018 to analyse evidence of serious violations of international law, said victims were subject to beatings, electric shocks, gang rape, strangulation and other forms of torture like the removal of fingernails with pliers.
“We have uncovered significant evidence, including eyewitness testimony, showing systematic torture in Myanmar detention facilities,” said Nicholas Koumjian, the head of the IIMM, in a statement accompanying his 16-page report. The torture sometimes resulted in death. Children, who are often unlawfully detained as proxies for their missing parents, were among those tortured, the report added.
Myanmar’s military regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Reuters on this story. The regime in Naypyidaw has not responded to over two dozen requests by the U.N. team for information about the alleged crimes and its requests to access the country, according to the IIMM report. Read more
News by Region
CHINLAND—The Chin National Front (CNF) told DVB that there could be conflict between residents in Paletwa Township and the Arakan Army (AA) administration, which took control of the town in January 2024. Paletwa is located 287 miles (461 km) southwest of the state capital Hakha.
Salai Htet Ni, the CNF spokesperson, told DVB that the AA administration in Paletwa is not supported by its residents, adding that there has been no response by the AA to “repeated” requests for talks. Paletwa is now officially recognized by the AA as a district of Arakan State under its control.
KACHIN—The KIA told DVB that the Bhamo Airport in is still under its control, dismissing rumours circulating online that it was taken by regime forces during fighting in Bhamo Township on Tuesday. Bhamo is located 120 miles (193 km) south of Myitkyina and 56 miles (90 km) south of the KIA headquarters at Laiza.
“They reached the northern or southern part of the [Bhamo] airport and [shared] photos [online],” Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, told DVB. He confirmed that the KIA had withdrawn from Artillery Battalion 366 in Bhamo. Sources told DVB that 10 Burma Navy vessels reached Bhamo on Aug. 1.
SHAN—Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) General Secretary Tar Bhone Kyaw criticized China in a social media post on Tuesday. He stated that Beijing is an obstacle to peace because it “only looks after its own interests” in dealing with resistance groups and the regime in Naypyidaw.
Regime forces retook control of Nawnghkio in northern Shan from the TNLA on July 16. The TNLA refused to cede control of it during China-brokered talks with the regime. A third round of talks are scheduled to take place this month after the previous two failed to reach any agreement.
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