Good day. We will now present today’s domestic news from m.CDM.
Today’s reports include military airstrikes in Kyauktaw and Gwa townships that killed at least 10 civilians, including a child; an airstrike in Wetlet that killed four people including a pregnant woman; urgent food shortages facing more than 30,000 displaced people in Kani; ambushes by resistance forces in Seikphyu and Monywa; defections by junta soldiers in Tedim; the disappearance of Sagaing PDF commander Ko Sit Nyein Naing and three comrades after being taken by NUG Military Region 1; and allegations by Justice For Myanmar that Canadian-owned Belpearl companies are helping keep “blood pearl” flows to the Myanmar military junta alive.
In Rakhine State, the military commission reportedly bombed residential areas in Kyauktaw town on June 17 with three fighter jets for nearly an hour. Bombs struck at least nine locations, including Paik The Ward and Lanmadaw Ward. At least eight civilians, including a five-year-old child, were killed, while more than ten others were injured. Rescue workers warned the death toll could rise, as some people remain missing. More than 20 shops, houses, buildings and vehicles were also damaged. Separately, on June 15, a junta fighter jet dropped three 500-pound bombs on Yamma Island village in Kyintali, Gwa Township, killing U Wai Lin, 50, and Daw Thuzar Moe, 38, and seriously injuring eight local residents.
In Sagaing Region’s Wetlet Township, a junta fighter jet from Tada-U Air Base bombed Nyaungbingyitaw village twice on June 17. Four people were killed, including a woman close to giving birth, her unborn child, her daughter, and another woman. Others were injured, including one person in critical condition. In Kani Township, more than 30,000 displaced residents from over 30 villages are urgently in need of food after a junta column continued burning villages for more than 40 days. At least 45 homes, chicken farms and cattle shelters have reportedly been destroyed, while shelling and airstrikes have killed four civilians and injured eight others.
In Bago Region’s Nattalin Township, clashes broke out after resistance forces attacked junta troops near Aung Yadana market. Later, junta troops entered Nyaung Hla village using heavy weapons, small arms and drones. A drone bomb killed three civilians and injured two others. Resistance fighters reportedly surrounded and attacked the column but withdrew after junta reinforcements arrived.
In Kachin State’s Shwegu town, a civilian man was killed when a junta artillery shell landed on a house near a preschool in Khon Kham Ward No. 1. Two others, including a Grade 10 student and a woman, were injured. The Shwegu K-PDF also warned residents that junta troops in the area were allegedly wearing KIA/PDF uniforms to mislead people and gather information. In Chin State’s Mindat town, a junta fighter jet from Naypyidaw’s Aela Air Base reportedly dropped two bombs on the eastern side of town, burning two homes and damaging others.
In Magway Region’s Seikphyu Township, resistance forces ambushed a six-wheel truck carrying 15 soldiers and a civilian vehicle carrying a junta captain near the entrance to Seikphyu at Nape Pin Phote Tat on June 16. Ten junta troops, including the captain, were reportedly killed. Resistance forces seized several weapons and ammunition, including MA-series rifles, a pistol, magazines, bullets, grenades, a phone, cash and identity cards. The operation was carried out by local People’s Defense Force units and allied battalions.
In Monywa, resistance groups attacked junta troops stationed at a monastery in the Industrial Zone Ward and later ambushed a reinforcement convoy of 13 civilian vehicles. Four junta soldiers were reportedly killed and two vehicles damaged. The operation involved Monywa District PDF battalions, the PLA, and local defense forces, with no reported casualties on the resistance side.
In Kalay Township, Kalay UG said it conducted a series of guerrilla and mine attacks over 30 days, killing seven junta personnel, including a deputy warrant officer and a sergeant major, and capturing three alive. The group said it also seized ammunition and grenades, and urged civilians to avoid junta vehicles and checkpoints.
In Tedim Township, Chin State, four soldiers from Light Infantry Division 77’s Battalion 101, stationed in Thaing Ngeng village, defected to CDF CDM Siyin with weapons and ammunition. The defectors included Sergeant Sithu Phyo, Corporal Razar, Private Win Hlaing and Private Aye Naing. They reportedly said their camp had around 70 troops and various heavy weapons. Separately, in Ye-U Township, Sagaing Region, seven young men forcibly recruited for military service escaped after attacking their guards. Five have been moved to safer locations, while two returned to their villages.
In Sagaing Region’s Indaw Township, Sagaing PDF commander Ko Sit Nyein Naing and three comrades have reportedly lost contact after being taken by NUG Military Region 1 officials on June 15. They had been returning from an ABSDF meeting when they were reportedly summoned by a district commander. Contact was maintained until the morning of June 16, but their whereabouts have since become unknown. Sagaing PDF, which operates independently of NUG command and is part of the Spring Revolution Alliance, has sent letters to the NUG Ministry of Defense and relevant groups seeking an explanation.
Justice For Myanmar has accused Canadian-owned Belpearl companies in Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong of helping sustain the flow of “blood pearls” to Myanmar’s military junta. JFM said Belpearl uses a Thai intermediary company to send pearl nuclei from Hong Kong and Japan to its pearl farming operations in Myanmar. These inputs are essential for pearl cultivation. Belpearl Myanmar reportedly operates pearl farms on Shwe Kyun and Zadekale Island in Tanintharyi under a production-sharing agreement with the junta-controlled Myanmar Pearl Enterprise. JFM said the arrangement helps generate revenue for the junta and undermines international sanctions against MPE.
Finally, ISP-Myanmar has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its executive director, U Min Zin, who was reportedly wrongfully detained in Kunming, China, while attending an academic discussion. ISP-Myanmar rejected what it called baseless allegations and stressed the importance of independent research free from intimidation. The organization said it will continue publishing research-based analysis in the public interest.
These reports were submitted by Ko Thit, Lu Lay and Khar Shell.