Hello and welcome to m.CDM Domestic News. Today\u2019s program covers flooding in Ayeyarwady Region, efforts to reunify Chin resistance groups, fighting in Magway and Mandalay regions, Thailand\u2019s military engagement with Myanmar\u2019s military authorities, and calls by ASEAN parliamentarians to protect Karen villagers from deportation, among other developments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A nine-year-old Grade 3 student, Maung Kaung Pyi Sone, drowned amid severe flooding in Laymyethna Township, Ayeyarwady Region, according to local rescue groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The boy went missing at around 4 p.m. on August 18 while returning home from school. His body was found near Kyoe Kone village at about 3:30 p.m. the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Residents say schools remain open despite continuing floods, raising concerns about the safety of children traveling to and from school.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Floodwaters have also entered Ngathaingchaung town, affecting several neighborhoods including Myothit, Toechae, Shwebo Tan and areas near the hospital. Residents estimate that about 80 percent of the wider Ngathaingchaung area is now flooded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Roads between Yekyi and Ngathaingchaung have also been inundated, making some bridges impassable for motorcycles, small cars and farm vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Flood-affected communities urgently need clean drinking water, food, medicine, emergency rescue assistance and temporary relocation support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Representatives of major Chin resistance groups held talks aimed at reconciliation and reunification in Aizawl, Mizoram, India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The three-day \u201cChin Peace Summit 2026,\u201d held from August 6 to 8, brought together representatives linked to the Chinland Council, Chin State government, Interim Chin National Consultative Council and Chin Brotherhood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The meeting was organized by the U.S.-based Chin Peace and Reconciliation Initiative together with the Advocacy Group for Peace, Mizoram, which was formed with support from the Mizoram state government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Senior political and military leaders from the Chin groups attended alongside Mizoram officials, religious organizations and civil society representatives, including the Central Young Mizo Association.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
No detailed agreements have yet been announced. However, the discussions reportedly focused on reconciliation and unity following serious political disagreements among Chin resistance organizations that had, at times, led to armed clashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minbu District Battalion 6 says it captured two soldiers alive after attacking a military column in Minbu-Saku Township, Magway Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The column had allegedly detained and killed three civilians and looted civilian property while operating in villages along the Mann Creek area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resistance forces ambushed the column near Myaung Oo village on August 6. At least two soldiers were reportedly wounded, while two others who fled the column were later captured alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The same column was accused of detaining more than 30 civilians, demanding money for their release and killing three villagers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, Myingyan Black Tiger, or MBT, said resistance forces ambushed a military convoy traveling from Myingyan toward Simeekhon on August 10.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group claimed that 14 military personnel, including a drone-unit commander, were killed. Another military convoy of seven vehicles sent as reinforcements from Ngazun was also attacked, leading to about 30 minutes of fighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two resistance fighters reportedly suffered non-life-threatening injuries. The operation involved MBT, local resistance organizations and allied forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Minbu District Battalion 5 says resistance forces attacked the Sin Kyon checkpoint near Wet Thae Kan in Salin, Magway Region, on the evening of August 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the group, a drone strike killed four members of military-aligned forces and wounded seven others. Those stationed at the checkpoint reportedly included soldiers, police and Pyu Saw Htee militia members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The operation was carried out by Minbu District Battalion 5 and its drone unit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Unity Government\u2019s Ministry of Defence says People\u2019s Defence Force units are increasingly conducting coordinated operations under regional military commands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resistance forces, including the Mandalay People\u2019s Defence Force, reportedly ambushed a military convoy near Tagaung in Thabeikkyin Township.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The convoy had departed from the military\u2019s No. 13 Advanced Training School and consisted of 12 vehicles carrying ammunition, military supplies and reinforcements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One vehicle was reportedly destroyed by fire, while the remaining 11 reached Tagaung. Casualties were also reported, although detailed figures have not yet been released.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Mandalay PDF\u2019s special operations force announced in July that it would intensify joint military operations with allied resistance organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thailand\u2019s armed forces reportedly plan to continue accepting officers from Myanmar\u2019s military for military education and training programs, including possible future participation in Thailand\u2019s Joint Staff Course.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The issue was discussed during an August 19 meeting in Bangkok between Thai Chief of Defence Forces General Ukris Boontanondha and Myanmar military commander General Ye Win Oo, according to The Nation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two sides reportedly discussed military education, security cooperation, border management, natural resources, environmental issues and energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
General Ye Win Oo is also expected to attend the ninth Thailand-Myanmar High Level Committee meeting on August 20 and 21.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, Thai authorities in Ranong transferred 184 Myanmar nationals back to Myanmar on August 13 after they completed prison sentences. The group consisted of 159 men and 25 women who had been detained for offenses including illegal entry and unauthorized employment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The National Unity Government\u2019s Ministry of Defence says 315 members of Myanmar\u2019s military, including 29 officers, were killed in fighting during July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the ministry, resistance forces carried out 16 attacks against military positions and captured 10 outposts. Another 473 military personnel were reportedly wounded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The statement did not provide detailed figures for casualties among resistance forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NUG also said 10 military personnel surrendered during fighting in Magway and Mandalay regions and that weapons and ammunition were seized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the same report, military airstrikes and artillery attacks killed 203 civilians, including 16 children, and injured another 284 during July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two soldiers serving under Myanmar\u2019s military conscription system defected to the Karen National Liberation Army\u2019s Brigade 7 on August 15.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two men, aged 24 and 25, had been serving with Light Infantry Battalion 357 and reportedly brought two MA-series rifles, six magazines, 200 rounds of ammunition and two bulletproof vests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
KNLA Brigade 7 awarded each defector one million kyat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Karen National Union\u2019s Hpa-an District urged other forcibly recruited soldiers to leave the military and join nearby resistance forces whenever possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights, or APHR, has urged Thailand to immediately halt plans to deport 26 ethnic Karen villagers to Myanmar and to release them from immigration detention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APHR warned that returning them could expose them to persecution or threats to their lives and could violate the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning people to places where they face serious danger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thai authorities raided Ban Pa Daeng village in Kaeng Krachan National Park, Phetchaburi Province, on August 10 and detained 28 people who lacked documentation proving Thai citizenship. Two were later released after their registration records were verified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The remaining 26, including eight children and two pregnant women, were transferred to an immigration detention facility in Bangkok and could face deportation to Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APHR also expressed concern that at least 10 villagers deported from the same community approximately two months earlier have not been heard from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APHR Chair and Indonesian parliamentarian Mercy Chriesty Barends warned that deporting vulnerable villagers, particularly children and pregnant women, could place their lives at risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The organization called on Thailand to individually assess the protection needs of those detained and demonstrate meaningful protection for Myanmar refugees ahead of Thailand\u2019s upcoming Universal Periodic Review.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
APHR also urged the Thai government to stop engagements that could confer legitimacy on Myanmar\u2019s military leadership and to avoid security cooperation that could contribute to attacks or repression against civilians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Arakan Army has handed over 24 Bangladeshi fishermen who had been detained for allegedly entering Rakhine territorial waters and fishing illegally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to local reports, the fishermen were transferred to Bangladesh Border Guard officials at around 1:30 p.m. on August 19 after signing undertakings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They had reportedly been detained during 2025 and early 2026 after entering waters near Kyauk Pandu and Inn Din in Maungdaw Township. They were subsequently convicted under the legal procedures administered by the Arakan authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The formal transfer took place along the Naf River, which forms part of the Myanmar-Bangladesh border.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although Bangladesh has not formally recognized the Arakan authorities as a legal government, such cross-border cooperation suggests an increasing degree of practical engagement with the Arakan administration as the de facto authority controlling much of the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That concludes today\u2019s m.CDM Domestic News. The reports presented today were contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the latest updates, please subscribe to our channel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello and welcome to m.CDM Domestic News. Today\u2019s program covers flooding in Ayeyarwady Region, efforts to reunify Chin resistance groups, fighting in Magway and Mandalay regions, Thailand\u2019s military engagement with Myanmar\u2019s military authorities, and calls by ASEAN parliamentarians to protect…<\/p>\n