Hello and welcome. We now bring you today\u2019s m.CDM domestic news.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today\u2019s major stories include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These and other stories are included in today\u2019s program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 20 people, including the abbot of a monastery, were killed and many others injured when the military carried out an airstrike on a religious hall in Swal Lel O village, Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, according to local sources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The attack occurred shortly after 9 a.m. on August 21, an Uposatha observance day during Buddhist Lent, while the abbot and local residents were gathered to listen to sermons and observe religious precepts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Initial reports said a fighter jet from Tada-U Air Base bombed the village religious hall twice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myaung Township remains largely outside military control and has consequently faced repeated airstrikes, causing civilian casualties. On August 19, an airstrike on Hle Tin Oo village reportedly killed two civilians and injured 19 others. Further bombing on the night of August 20 reportedly killed several women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The military leadership has repeatedly portrayed itself as a protector of Buddhism and religion. However, critics point to continuing attacks and destruction affecting Buddhist monasteries and pagodas, as well as Christian churches, Muslim places of worship and other religious buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One civilian was killed and another injured in artillery and drone attacks by Military Council forces in Kyaukkyi and Paukkaung townships in Bago Region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the KNU, on August 17, a Military Council position based in Nat Than Kwin village, Kyaukkyi Township, fired a 120-mm artillery shell. It exploded in Thaung Pu village, killing 54-year-old Naw Kyi Htoo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Paukkaung Township, residents said Military Council troops stationed at Thet Kel Chan monastery attacked Kyo Pin Wine village using artillery and drones on the night of August 19 and again between about 10:05 and 10:23 a.m. on August 20. One civilian was reportedly injured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, at around 1 p.m. on August 21, a military flotilla consisting of two combat vessels, four barges and eight tugged vessels traveled upstream from Mandalay\u2019s Gaw Wein port and reached the area near Tha Phan Daunt village in Madaya Township.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the Wetlet People\u2019s Defense Organization, the vessels fired small arms indiscriminately while continuing northward toward Bhamo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resistance sources believe the convoy is transporting troops, weapons and ammunition to reinforce military positions around Bhamo. Residents along the Ayeyarwady River have been warned to remain alert to possible artillery and air attacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ponnawati Local Defense Force (LDF) has announced that it will operate under the command of the Taungdwingyi Township People\u2019s Defense Organization, or Pa Ka Pha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The group, which operates in Taungdwingyi Township in Magway Region, said it would continue participating in the Spring Revolution with the stated goals of ending dictatorship and establishing a federal democratic system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the new arrangement, the group\u2019s administration, management and operations will follow the command structure and directives of the Taungdwingyi Township Pa Ka Pha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ponnawati LDF also appealed to the public to continue supporting the organization after its formal transfer to the township-level command structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Korea has provided an additional US$5 million through the World Food Programme to assist vulnerable communities across Myanmar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The funding will support the second phase of the REACH program \u2014 Responding with Emergency Assistance for Conflict-Affected Households \u2014 following what South Korea and WFP described as positive results from its first phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Under the program, approximately 140,000 conflict-affected people will receive emergency food assistance, while nutritional support will be provided to about 15,000 children under five, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
REACH is a partnership between South Korea and WFP Myanmar aimed at working with communities to reduce hunger and malnutrition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to WFP, approximately 12.4 million people in Myanmar are currently facing hunger, while around four million people remain displaced. If food and fuel prices continue rising, as many as five million additional people could face food insecurity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first phase of REACH provided assistance to more than 420,000 people nationwide. South Korea and WFP say they will continue prioritizing urgently needed food and nutritional assistance for families affected by conflict and other crises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myanmar\u2019s National Unity Government (NUG) announced on August 21 that it has dissolved its Ministry of Human Rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ministry was established on May 3, 2021, with the aim of promoting respect for human rights while carrying out government responsibilities during the Spring Revolution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the NUG, the ministry documented human rights violations, conducted rights-based advocacy, promoted human-rights-oriented policies and provided human rights education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A draft Union Human Rights Commission Law has now been prepared and approved by the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), and is currently under review and discussion within the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the legislation is enacted, the NUG says an independent human rights commission will be established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NUG described the dissolution of the ministry as a step toward creating stronger and more independent mechanisms for protecting human rights. It also thanked the ministry\u2019s former ministers, deputy ministers, advisers, staff and civil society partners for their work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tensions are reportedly increasing in Hpa-An Township, Karen State, as Military Council forces intensify seizures of vehicles linked to ceasefire armed organizations and trucks transporting goods from Thailand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources said around 80 cargo trucks had been seized during the third week of August. Security forces also reportedly entered river-crossing points guarded by KNA\/BGF forces near the border between Hpa-An and Hlaingbwe townships and seized dozens of vehicles carrying Thai goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some of the seized trucks were reportedly connected to the DKBA and KNLA-PC, and some members of those organizations were also detained. Attempts by the armed groups to negotiate their release have reportedly been unsuccessful, raising tensions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although the Military Council reopened the Asia Highway and the No. 2 Myawaddy\u2013Mae Sot Friendship Bridge, strict import restrictions remain. Traders have therefore increasingly relied on alternative routes controlled by ceasefire armed groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelers also report vehicle seizures and demands for large payments at military checkpoints along routes through Hlaingbwe, Kawkareik, Hpa-An and Mawlamyine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On August 18, authorities reportedly seized a Ford Ranger worth more than 700,000 Thai baht belonging to a KNLA-PC officer who had traveled to Hpa-An with family members seeking medical care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another businessman linked to the KNLA-PC reportedly had a vehicle, a weapon and other property confiscated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sources also allege that some goods seized from trucks \u2014 including televisions, air conditioners and refrigerators \u2014 are being resold illegally at discounted prices. The disruption has reportedly contributed to rising prices for Thai products in Hpa-An and Mawlamyine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The World Food Programme has warned that up to five million additional people in Myanmar could face food insecurity if food and fuel prices continue to rise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around 12.4 million people are already facing food insecurity, while approximately four million people remain displaced by conflict.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More than 360,000 children under the age of five are also suffering from malnutrition. Prices for basic food items have reportedly risen by between 20 and 43 percent compared with February.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
WFP says fighting has disrupted transportation routes, while unstable fuel prices have pushed up transportation and other costs, making basic food increasingly difficult for families to afford.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Korea has provided an additional US$5 million to WFP to address the worsening crisis. The funding will support the second phase of the REACH program, prioritizing families affected by conflict and natural disasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. government has formally designated Myanmar-born American citizen Min Zin, who is being held by Chinese authorities, as \u201cwrongfully detained,\u201d according to an August 20 announcement by the U.S. State Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The designation means efforts to secure his release will become a priority for the U.S. government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Min Zin, who heads a Myanmar-focused political and policy research organization, traveled to Yunnan Province in early June after being invited to attend an academic discussion in Kunming. He was subsequently detained by Chinese authorities despite holding a valid Chinese visa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has now reportedly been detained for approximately 11 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Institute for Strategy and Policy \u2013 Myanmar (ISP-Myanmar), where Min Zin serves as founder and executive director, welcomed the U.S. designation, saying it demonstrates that securing his release has become a high priority for Washington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The U.S. Embassy in Yangon also called on the Chinese government to release American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
m.CDM, August 21<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Russia and Myanmar\u2019s military authorities are reportedly planning to establish a satellite navigation monitoring station in Myanmar with potential civilian and military applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During military leader Min Aung Hlaing\u2019s visit to Moscow, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding at the Kremlin on August 18 to expand cooperation in space and satellite technologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposed ground station would receive signals from Russia\u2019s GLONASS satellite navigation system, Russia\u2019s counterpart to the U.S.-operated GPS system, allowing precise measurements of positioning and timing data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
GLONASS has both civilian and military applications and has been used by Russian forces for navigation and weapons guidance, including during the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Critics and some military and political analysts argue that a GLONASS facility in Myanmar could deepen Russia\u2019s strategic presence in Southeast Asia and potentially improve the Myanmar military\u2019s technological capabilities. The precise military implications, however, would depend on the station\u2019s configuration and how the system is ultimately used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2e3b<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That concludes today\u2019s m.CDM Domestic News.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The reports presented today were contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the latest news and updates, please subscribe to our channel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Hello and welcome. We now bring you today\u2019s m.CDM domestic news. Today\u2019s major stories include: These and other stories are included in today\u2019s program. m.CDM, August 21 More than 20 people, including the abbot of a monastery, were killed and…<\/p>\n