Hello and welcome to m.CDM’s domestic news program.
Today’s reports include:
- NUG Acting President says all those continuing to resist dictatorship without surrender are “living martyrs.”
- Displaced residents of Pauk Township honor Myanmar’s fallen national leaders.
- The military bombs Ma-Ei town with three 500-pound bombs on Martyrs’ Day, killing five civilians and injuring 14 others, including a monk and children.
- A military reinforcement convoy is attacked in Kawkareik, reportedly killing at least 15 soldiers, while KIA and KPDF forces give proper burials to six SNA members killed in battle.
- Britain, Germany and Norway commemorate the 79th Martyrs’ Day.
- The NUG provides 150,000 Chinese yuan in flood assistance for Rakhine State.
- A TNLA delegation meets the military council in Naypyidaw.
- More than 100 civil society organizations urge ASEAN not to allow the military regime to host environmental meetings.
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- NUG Acting President Calls Those Resisting Dictatorship “Living Martyrs”
m.CDM, July 19
NUG Acting President Duwa Lashi La said that members of the People’s Defence Force, other resistance fighters, political detainees including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, and everyone continuing to fight military dictatorship without surrender should be regarded as “living martyrs.”
He made the statement during a speech marking the 79th anniversary of Martyrs’ Day on July 19.
Martyrs’ Day commemorates General Aung San and other national leaders assassinated at the Secretariat in Yangon on July 19, 1947. The acting president said the day should also honor all those who sacrificed themselves for the country and the people, including those who fought for freedom from military rule and for the rights of ethnic nationalities.
He stressed that people should not wait until someone dies before recognizing their courage and sacrifice. Those who demonstrate the spirit and actions of a martyr while alive should also be respected and honored.
Duwa Lashi La also called attention to ethnic national leaders whose sacrifices have been neglected or hidden from the historical record.
“A martyr is someone who values the interests of the country and the people more than their own life and body,” he said.
He added that those who devote themselves to public service without considering personal benefit deserve recognition as martyrs.
The acting president said General Aung San stood firmly on the side of truth and emphasized unity among the people and ethnic nationalities. He urged revolutionary groups, armed organizations and ethnic communities to remain united and complete the work left unfinished by General Aung San and the fallen national leaders.
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- Myanmar’s Future Is in the Hands of Those Who Believe in Freedom and Democracy, Says Kim Aris
m.CDM, July 19
Kim Aris, the son of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, said Myanmar’s future lies in the hands of everyone who believes in freedom, justice and democracy.
He made the statement on the 79th Martyrs’ Day and honored his grandfather, General Aung San, and all those who gave their lives for Myanmar.
“Their generation won Myanmar’s independence. The new generation now has the responsibility to ensure that their sacrifices were not in vain,” he said.
Kim Aris said the struggle against fascism and for freedom did not end in 1947 and continues today. He added that his mother cannot carry that burden alone.
He described General Aung San as a leader who fought fascism, helped end British colonial rule, united the people and guided Myanmar toward independence. Although General Aung San was assassinated before his vision could be realized, his sacrifice laid an essential foundation for independence.
Kim Aris said the military may destroy statues of his grandfather, but it can never erase the respect and gratitude of the Myanmar people.
He accused the military regime of using weapons against civilians, carrying out arbitrary arrests, torture and airstrikes, and said Myanmar is now confronting another form of fascism. He also criticized forced military conscription, the use of civilians as human shields, violence against women and children, and sexual violence.
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- Displaced People in Pauk Township Honor Fallen Martyrs
m.CDM, July 19
Displaced residents of Pauk Township in Magway Region observed one minute of silence to honor Myanmar’s fallen national leaders and other martyrs, according to the township office of the NUG’s Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour and Humanitarian Affairs.
The commemoration was held on July 19 to mark the 79th Martyrs’ Day. Participants also honored those killed since the 2021 military coup, imprisoned political leaders and people who lost limbs during the revolution.
Military columns operating in northeastern Pauk Township have forced residents from nine villages in Zone 7 to flee. Around 1,505 households, or nearly 7,000 people, are currently displaced.
The Pauk Township People’s Administration said it would continue working to establish a federal democratic union based on freedom, equality, justice and the right to self-determination for all ethnic peoples.
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- Five Civilians Killed in Military Airstrike on Ma-Ei Town
m.CDM, July 19
Five civilians were killed and 14 others, including a monk and several children, were injured when the military bombed Ma-Ei town in Toungup Township, Rakhine State.
At around 11:30 a.m. on July 19, a fighter jet reportedly dropped three 500-pound bombs on Wards 2 and 3 of the town. More than 10 houses were damaged.
Those killed were identified as 17-year-old Maung Htun Lin Zaw, a displaced resident from Kyaukphyu Township, and Ma-Ei residents Ma La Pyae San, 19; Ko Nyi Nyi Htwe, 19; Ma Mu Mu Htay, 35; and Ko Nyi Nyi Zaw, 34.
A 47-year-old monk, Ashin Kawida, and five children under the age of 18 were among the 14 injured. Some were reported to be in critical condition.
The military had also bombed the Min Kyaung Chaung Bridge on the Ramree–Ma-Ei–Toungup road on July 14 and attacked Manaw Thiri village in Pauktaw Township on July 15.
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- Britain, Germany and Norway Commemorate the 79th Martyrs’ Day
m.CDM, July 19
Britain, Germany and Norway commemorated the 79th anniversary of Martyrs’ Day, while Britain and Germany expressed solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
The British Embassy in Yangon said it joined the people of Myanmar in honoring everyone who sacrificed their lives while striving for a better future for the country.
It said the British government stands in solidarity with Myanmar people seeking a peaceful, free and democratic future.
The German Embassy honored General Aung San and the eight other national leaders assassinated in 1947. A German Embassy representative said their courage and commitment to the country continue to inspire people today.
The representative also said Myanmar’s history should be studied and learned from, rather than manipulated for personal benefit. Germany reaffirmed its longstanding friendship and solidarity with the people of Myanmar.
The Norwegian Embassy said Martyrs’ Day was an occasion to remember General Aung San and his eight colleagues, as well as everyone who sacrificed their lives across generations for Myanmar’s future.
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- Military Convoy Attacked in Kawkareik; KIA and KPDF Bury Six SNA Members
m.CDM, July 19
Resistance forces reportedly ambushed a military reinforcement convoy traveling from Kyondoe toward Myawaddy in Kawkareik Township, Karen State.
The attack occurred at around 11:20 a.m. on July 18 along the Myawaddy–Kawkareik section of the Asian Highway. The convoy consisted of eight military trucks, and one vehicle carrying soldiers reportedly overturned.
At least 15 military personnel were reportedly killed and more than 20 injured. Ambulances, civilian vehicles and military trucks were used to transport the casualties to Myawaddy Hospital.
The military has been sending reinforcements toward Myawaddy after suffering losses in fighting near Phalu, Min Let Pan, Yae Kone and Lay Kay Kaw. KNLA-led allied resistance forces have continued attacking these columns.
Separately, KIA and KPDF forces gave proper Buddhist burials to six SNA members killed during the battle for Lonton camp in the Indawgyi area of Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
KIA and KPDF forces captured the camp from combined military and SNA forces on July 17. The six bodies were found at the camp and buried the following day.
KPDF members also provided 500,000 kyats each to two households in Hepan village whose homes were damaged by artillery fire during the fighting.
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- NUG Provides 150,000 Yuan for Rakhine Flood Victims
m.CDM, July 19
The National Unity Government provided 150,000 Chinese yuan in initial assistance to the Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government to support communities affected by flooding in Rakhine State.
The money is intended for emergency rescue operations, food, medicine and post-flood rehabilitation.
The Arakan People’s Revolutionary Government reportedly expressed gratitude on behalf of the people of Arakan and sent a certificate of appreciation.
Heavy rain since early July has caused flooding across several townships in Rakhine State. More than 100,000 people have reportedly been affected, while homes, farmland and infrastructure have suffered extensive damage.
The NUG said it would continue providing humanitarian and reconstruction assistance.
Meanwhile, continued heavy rain in Hpakant, Kachin State, has caused landslides and flooding. One house was reportedly destroyed by a landslide, and several urban wards have been inundated.
Local residents and rescue groups are conducting relief operations but urgently need boats, life jackets, rescue equipment, food, drinking water and medicine.
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- TNLA Delegation Meets Military Council in Naypyidaw
m.CDM, July 19
A delegation from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army met representatives of the military council in Naypyidaw on July 19.
The TNLA delegation was led by Vice Chairman Lieutenant General Tar Jut Jar, according to spokesperson Lway Yay Oo.
Although the meeting had concluded, no details were immediately available about the topics discussed or whether any agreements had been reached.
The TNLA said the meeting was not an unusual development but part of regular negotiations. The two sides also met in May, and the latest talks were reportedly arranged during that earlier meeting.
According to Shwe Phee Myay News Agency, the TNLA delegation included Lieutenant General Tar Jut Jar, Brigadier General Tar Gu Zar and Major Kun Naw. The military delegation was reportedly led by Lieutenant General Yar Pyae, chairman of the National Solidarity and Peace Negotiation Council.
The TNLA reached a Chinese-mediated ceasefire agreement with the military in October 2025 and has since held repeated discussions.
The TNLA also sent a message to Min Aung Hlaing after he appointed himself president in April, expressing a desire to resolve political problems through political means.
In June, the military’s peace delegation also met ethnic armed organizations belonging to the FPNCC, including the UWSA, SSPP and NDAA.
Reports also indicate that China has encouraged some border-based ethnic organizations to participate in the military council’s peace negotiations.
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- Civil Society Groups Urge ASEAN Not to Let Military Regime Host Environmental Meetings
m.CDM, July 19
More than 100 civil society organizations have urged ASEAN not to allow Myanmar’s military regime to host regional environmental meetings.
A total of 123 organizations issued the appeal in response to plans for Myanmar to host the 37th Meeting of ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment and related meetings from August 4 to 7.
In an open letter to the Philippine government, which currently chairs ASEAN and ASOEN, the groups called for seven meetings on climate change, biodiversity and environmental affairs to be moved to the Philippines or held online.
The organizations also sent letters to ASOEN member states and dialogue partners, including the European Union, the United States, Japan and South Korea. They called for the military regime to be excluded from future ASOEN meetings and processes.
The appeal came days after an informal meeting between ASEAN foreign ministers and the military-appointed foreign minister in Thailand on July 12.
The civil society groups said they oppose attempts to normalize relations with the military regime through environmental platforms.
“The Myanmar military regime is not the legitimate representative of the Myanmar people,” said Ko Mike, a spokesperson for Defend Myanmar Democracy.
He accused the regime of exploiting forests, rivers and mineral resources to finance international crimes and said it should not be permitted to host ASEAN environmental meetings.
The groups also urged dialogue partners, including Japan and South Korea, to publicly announce that they would not send representatives to meetings hosted by the military regime.
That concludes today’s m.CDM domestic news program. These reports were contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.
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