Search Results

Daily Briefing from Myanmar Witness Disclaimer: The following is a brief summary of the top 3 stories on the Myanmar Witness radar that day for daily reactive investigations. Information is subject to change as the stories develop. The briefing is a work in progress and should be seen as a starting point for further work, research, and potential collaboration. It is by no means exhaustive and incidents where the verification work of Myanmar Witness could be useful are prioritised for inclusion. Email social@myanmarwitness.org to get in touch about something in one of the briefs. 1) 2 Civilians and 5 PDF killed in Sagaing Summary Khit Thit Media reported that in the period 15-23 August, a column of SAC troops attacked 7 villages across Sagaing township, resulting in the deaths of 7 people. On 15 August, it is alleged that a woman was shot dead in the village of East Khet Kha (ခက်ခ (အရှေ့)). On 21 August, it is claimed that a 21-year-old woman was also killed after SAC troops fired on Mu Mandalay village (မူးမန္တလေး). In addition to these civilian casualties, Khit Thit Media have alleged that 4 villages were burned including Sa Mun (စမွန်း) and Kyun U Taw (ကျွန်းဦးတော). It is claimed that many people along the Sagaing-Myinmu border have left their villagers due to military activity. Location Various locations in Sagaing township, Sagaing. Reported date 15 - 23 August Source Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid02Xybys2r1ifpDYT5Vkx6JyVG5FEBuRpYXfcQ9Rmt8br6Gin291HAjfShdaBAZ76HDl Notes No geolocatable footage yet; check FIRMS/sentinel. 2) 8000 IDPS in Khin-U Summary Khit Thit Media have reported that on 22 August, SAC raids on villages in Khin-U prompted 4000 local people to abandon their houses, adding to the existing tally of IDPs across the township. It is further alleged that one elderly man died from asphyxiation as he attempted to flee his village. In total, Khit Thit claimed that there are 8000 IDPs from 13 villages in Khin-U. Location Various locations in Khin-U township, Sagaing. Reported date 22 August Sources Khit Thit Media Content warning: covered up dead body https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid02GZifcCLh1nDaNJGsFpZ92L1yQR53dd2HDfCz4MU6SzacLpVMhEmyeKk8AJRyhDdGl Notes No geolocatable footage; various locations. 3) 3 killed in Shwebo Summary Myaelatt Athan have reported that on 22 August, 1 civilian and 2 PDF were killed after SAC troops occupied the village of Chi Par (South) (ချီပါ (တောင်)). It is alleged that Myanmar Military soldiers entered the village on 21 August, before the bodies of the villagers were found the following day. Myaelatt Athan claimed that in addition to these deaths, over 100 villagers were arrested and the local school was burned down, having been searched for PDF equipment. Location Chi Par (South) (ချီပါ (တောင်)), Shwebo township, Sagaing [22.539690, 95.653633] Reported date 22 August Sources Myaelatt Athan https://www.facebook.com/myaelattathan/posts/pfbid0b1DQt9MmyFpaFBbhKVgipoULn2ZgNNpbPptWGf7Ru77x4rS6VtamSLj6EXho7eiWl Notes No geolocatable footage found so far. Other news in Myanmar today Prominent private hospital shut down by junta order in Mandalay https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/prominent-private-hospital-shut-down-by-junta-order-in-mandalay/ Backlash to Martin Griffith’s visit to Myanmar https://progressivevoicemyanmar.org/2023/08/22/civil-society-statement-on-the-visit-of-head-of-ocha-to-myanmar/

Daily Briefing from Myanmar Witness Disclaimer: The following is a brief summary of the top 3 stories on the Myanmar Witness radar that day for daily reactive investigations. Information is subject to change as the stories develop. The briefing is a work in progress and should be seen as a starting point for further work, research, and potential collaboration. It is by no means exhaustive and incidents where the verification work of Myanmar Witness could be useful are prioritised for inclusion. Email social@myanmarwitness.org to get in touch about something in one of the briefs. 1) Religious buildings damaged by airstrikes in Gangaw Summary The Irrawaddy reported that on 21 August, Buddhist religious buildings were damaged following MAF airstrikes on the village of Min Ywar (မင်းရွာ). It is reported that the incident came following clashes which saw the Min Ywar police station allegedly attacked by local PDF forces. The Irrawaddy has claimed that 5 policemen were killed during the confrontation. It is alleged that at around 0800, the village and nearby monastery were hit by heavy artillery and 5 bombs which were dropped by an MAF jet fighter. Location Min Ywar (မင်းရွာ), Gangaw township, Magway [22.029062, 94.093927] Reported date 21 August Source The Irrawaddy - Burmese Edition https://www.facebook.com/theirrawaddyburmese/posts/pfbid028EFB4WrDSggzfFWEJzgBXBius89JUge6zWm7Md8id9D3BmU8DtRDVXeRymj9J6F6l Notes Geolocated Event 2: House burned down in Demoso Summary Khit Thit Media have reported that on 22 August, SAC troops burned down a house in the village of Ta Nee Lar Le (တနီးလာလဲ). A KNDF Facebook post alleged that military council forces had been stationed to the east of Ta Nee Lar Le village for several months, and had frequently burned civilian houses without encountering direct resistance. Location Ta Nee Lar Le (တနီးလာလဲ), Demoso township, Kayah [19.520373, 97.232137] Reported date 22 August Sources Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid0AXNcAnmeZJSHhHTtyw9Pb5SuL6TVNj9ZuayWDMn1LYssjmPKnXa24PafQra8NJYSl?__cft__[0]=AZW2_a1m4VDfM3CM7EtXpdkj9CPm72umuYn7oIxZIB0f6FTcqUHk86Ki4bH-wv3wrNcN_0ghbBjleCwH552TqVWFmat_McuKoPMpSgVz_kyJx4qNyfIFsRn4iLwd3d-iWZDGpHImbl5cJE277Rx1QjHTZu95ioJ-0FtuHZZmSmU7uma49Qc-umMlnYVkR3yJtnhXhJuwXF15l4ne3WaAdC3_&__tn__=%2CO%2CP-R Karenni Nationalities Defense Force https://www.facebook.com/KNDF.HQ/videos/1452589572241667/ Kantarawaddy Times https://www.facebook.com/KantarawaddyTimes/videos/714858500482098/?__tn__=%2CO Notes Geolocated 3) Over 30 houses destroyed in Myaing Summary Khit Thit Media reported that on 21 August at 0830, more than 30 houses were burned down by SAC troops in the village of Htan Bone Taw (ထန်းဘုန်းတော). It is alleged that the remaining buildings were looted for food and valuables. Location Htan Bone Taw (ထန်းဘုန်းတော), Myaing township, Magway [21.64038086, 94.89031219] Reported date 21 August Source Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid0nQ9rkDjcnPXu5en7PL4ef133aohDUk4jtYLeM5Zj8KvTsvMkhdYv5aTpHP5JcMn7l

Daily News Briefing from Myanmar Witness. Disclaimer: The following is a brief summary of the top 3 stories on the Myanmar Witness radar that day for daily reactive investigations. Information is subject to change as the stories develop. The briefing is a work in progress and should be seen as a starting point for further work, research, and potential collaboration. It is by no means exhaustive and incidents where the verification work of Myanmar Witness could be useful are prioritised over other potentially more important stories. 1) Village burns in Kale Summary Khit Thit Media reported that as of 21 August, the village of Thar Si has been burned by SAC troops for the sixth consecutive day, causing ash dust to blow up to Kale town. The burning of civilian infrastructure comes after a series of airstrikes which hit the village on 15 August, following clashes between SAC and PDF forces in the area. It is alleged that many civilians have fled the village, while others are sheltering in a nearby monastery. Location Thar Si (သာစည်), Kale township, Sagaing [23.156830, 94.047684] Reported date 15 - 21 August 2023 Source Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid02jEZyuqr75kysmsTMWQQEeFCPp69F6A6iDJPxPiXNug4ckGwE7haQLXDRZkNtPrZNl (OS4631) FIRMS LINK: https://firms.modaps.eosdis.nasa.gov/map/#t:adv;d:2023-08-17;@94.1,23.2,14z 2) Houses burned, civilians arrested in Myaing Summary It is reported that on 20 August, SAC forces entered the village of Shwe Lin Swea (ရွှေလင်းစွဲ) and looted food and valuables belonging to the residents. Khit Thit Media have claimed that following this incident, the troops entered the neighbouring village of Let Htoke Taw (လက်ထုတ်တော) and burned down several houses. It is alleged that more than 30 civilians from both villages were arrested and detained by the soldiers. Locations Shwe Lin Swea (ရွှေလင်းစွဲ), Myaing, Magway [94.94168091, 21.70763016] Let Htoke Taw (လက်ထုတ်တော), Myaing, Magway [94.92434692, 21.70145988] Reported date 20 August 2023 Sources Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid0piUtAGRJqaPQzKrpUqoBV6gkpA7zpCpYviEFTTHbAPdwNPWBFPnoa3YzNwhMUFGFl Notes Geolocatable footage limited; monitor FIRMS/sentinel for updates. 3) Civilian death following artillery strike in Palaw Summary It is reported that on 19 August, a 72-year-old woman died following an attack on the village of Let Ku (လက္ကူး). Khit Thit Media have alleged that SAC forces fired two artillery shells on the village. This incident comes amidst a series of attacks on villages in Palaw, which has resulted in a number of civilian injuries. Location Let Ku (လက္ကူး), Palaw township, Tanintharyi [12.91687012, 98.63773346] Reported date 19 August 2023 Sources The Tanintharyi Times https://www.facebook.com/TheTanintharyiTimes/posts/pfbid02jikE7ND4SaqLwRvEbQRiK1nxK7qUKNWgtwKN8gJMJ636gg183SUN2T2nv2HJSpAXl Khit Thit Media https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid0jhKwbxJ9oY33bpD5XTXV8CMd9YXjnsSCre5n7QjNoGmzxiDUkponegC2j27bwLAJl Notes No geolocatable footage found.

On Twitter/X 💥 Religious buildings damaged ☑️ Myawaddy, Kayin ☑️ 16.639590, 98.476092 18 August 2023 Myanmar Air Force airstrikes reportedly destroyed religious buildings on Lat Khat Mountain, near the Thai border. Karen National Union claimed that religious buildings within the Lawka Thitsar Buddhist Temple complex were hit by bombs from two Yak-130 fighter aircraft on 18 August at 1400. Conflict has reportedly escalated in this area since 21 July, when it was captured by KNLA joint forces. Myanmar Witness has geolocated footage which shows the aftermath of the incident. Sources https://facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid06U2MvLQ2QJgaAVEYJgUUbiGQXYK6o6vYvncLmQ88RoKaiDEeKSi9fsj69ieyQepfl https://facebook.com/KNUHQKTL/posts/pfbid02Qc9vhKXvQHw1PPqHvhaRG9neyPuTFYFSFuWP5Wm5PZuyEhDnKQzjiNoAAwUG7eL6l

Clashes between SAC and TNLA near the Chinese border and more clashes in Tabayin, with dozens of houses burnt down. EVENT 1 Fifth day of clashes between SAC and TNLA in Muse Date: 30 July - 3 August 2023 Coords: 23.829229, 97.937667 Military base camp in Muse 105 (Trade Zone): 23.981103, 97.979451 Incident summary: Fighting between SAC and Ta’aung National Liberation Army (TNLA) continued into its fifth day around the Nam Hkam, Muse and 105 miles (Muse) trade zone, according to a BBC report on 3 Aug 2023. It’s claimed that SAC attacked with heavy weapons from Muse 105 base and left a civilian wounded in 105 mile trade zone and some buildings destroyed on 2 Aug 2023. Local people fled to Muse downtown and Nam Um Kachin Baptist Church in Nam Um. Source: BBC: https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/695729015933098 Shan News: https://www.facebook.com/shannewsburmese/posts/611887327717649 Shwe Phee Myay (Fighting video): https://www.facebook.com/shwepheemyaynews/videos/242211828690353/ Category: Clashes, Artillery, TNLA Alleged Actor: SAC, TNLA EVENT 2 Thousands of locals fled after clashes and arson in Tabayin township Date: 2 August 2023 Coords: 22.333629, 95.340820 Incident summary: After clashes between SAC and PDF near Ma Ya Kan village in Tabayin township, SAC troops burnt down the village during the evening of 2 August 2023. According to reports, thousands fled while the SAC burnt down the village. Source: https://www.facebook.com/deltanewsagency/posts/681106557395758 Category: Clashes, IDPs, Arson Alleged Actor: SAC, (PDF) EVENT 3 27 houses burnt down in Tabayin township Date: 2 August 2023 Coords: 22.624710,95.396652 (Ma Ya Kan village (မရကန်) ) Incident summary: SAC troops raided Ma Ya Kan village in Tabayin township, Sagaing region on 2 Aug 2023, burned down 27 houses and stole people's property. Source: https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/642152878012322 Category: Arson, Theft Alleged Actor: SAC

2 cases of burning villages and one incident involving the arrest and execution of two young people. EVENT 1 SAC troops burnt down 6 houses from Kyaw Zay Yar village Date: 31 July 2023 Coords: 22.063510, 95.776947 Incident summary: About 100 SAC troops raided Kyaw Zay Yar village which is located on the Shwebo-Mandalay road at around 0400 on 31 July 2023, burning down 6 houses and stealing civilian property. Source: https://www.facebook.com/myaelattathan/posts/pfbid0ywbn2TdTriazDbt6gnoSkyCDTcdXWvdVQbt25bggyn2gPHa5QmrFQG3H3wtB3uEEl Category: Arson, Clearance Operations Alleged Actor: SAC EVENT 2 An SAC column raided Baw Kone village, Ayadaw township, burning houses and arresting locals Date: 2 August 2023 Coords: 22.333629, 95.340820 Incident summary: On 2 August 2023, at around 0500, an SAC column who had camped at Naung Gyi Aing village raided Baw Kone village and rounded up around 30 local people from the village. They burnt down 17 houses. At around 1030, they released the women and children. before taking 10 men still captive back to Naung Gyi Aing village. Source: https://www.facebook.com/myaelattathan/posts/pfbid0JhYzzfCTiBuCniMPHQWZhjaFyAFaQ736CAcLvy11oBS2HYee36JbkUmHzLKjs39tl Category: Arson, Detention, Human shields Alleged Actor: SAC EVENT 3 Two youths were arrested and killed near Nam Aum village Date: 25 July 2023 Coords: N/A Incident summary: Two youths who are members of Kachin Baptist Church from Tee Ma village were arrested on the way home near Nam Aum village on 25 July 2023. They were killed by SAC troops and the dead bodies were buried in the forest. When the dead bodies were found, the dead bodies were wearing TNLA uniforms. Source: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=264336679646132 Category: Arrest, Detention, Execution, Cover-up Alleged Actor: SAC

🔥 Bodies burnt in a house ☑️ Kanpetlet, Chin ☑️ 21.005317, 94.021870 02 August 2023 SAC troops reportedly placed bodies of alleged SAC soldiers inside a house in Ma Sar Twi village of Kanpetlet township and set them on fire. The troops allegedly looted the civilian properties before they burnt the house. Myanmar Witness investigators were able to confirm the location of the incident by using satellite imagery. The footage from the scene showed there was an inscription ‘Ogre Column’ on one of the walls. The term is often used for spreading fear in Myanmar in relation to the killers notorious for their cruelty in the military. Sources https://facebook.com/mandalayfreepress/posts/pfbid02QRfNgPveKqEZDUVrXy1SDV6Y5PwXUnRbWUMt35TvMxTMLXzLMFtMBNrDR8y1L1p6l… https://facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=305289365345481&id=100075932605845#Myanmar…

Large number of hostages taken by SAC forces in Mandalay, civilians flee five villages in Sagaing and a mental patient executed in Magway. EVENT 1 Nearly 100 civilians taken hostage by Military in Thabeikkyin township Date: 27 July 2023 Coords: 23.325410, 96.014862 Incident summary: Nearly 100 civilians were taken hostage by military troops in Se Zin Kone village, Thabeikkyin township in Mandalay region on 27 July 2023, according to a Myanmar Now report. It’s claimed that SAC troops stationed in Se Zin Kone village and took civilians hostage in the village’s monastery. SAC troops also burnt down houses in the village. Source: https://myanmar-now.org/en/news/some-100-civilians-held-hostage-by-myanmar-military-for-days-in-mandalay-region-monastery/ Category: Arson, Hostages, Monastery Alleged Actor: SAC EVENT 2 Locals from five villages in Shwebo fled due to military offensive Date: 30 July 2023 Coords: 22.551429, 95.591651 Incident summary: Locals from five villages including Seik Khun in Shwebo township, Sagaing region on 30 July 2023 after the military stationed in Seik Khun village and fired heavy weapons. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/693966162776050 https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=292647040102952&id=100080729739791 Category: Artillery, IDPs Alleged Actor: SAC EVENT 3 SAC killed a mental patient in Myaing township Date: 31 July 2023 Coords: 21.483379, 94.828132 Incident summary: SAC column killed a mental patient in Pan Taing Taw (west) village in Myaing township, Magway region while they entered the village on 31 July 2023. A mental patient was killed by a headshot and SAC also burnt down some vehicles in the village. Source: https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid0zcb5gp51HaQsRcwNvY2djXtBC5wHYXqR1pkaGXb7T43chttZougjhZWPBZ7Ky482l Category: Execution, Vulnerable Victim, Burning Vehicles Alleged Actor: SAC

Big explosion on a checkpoint bridge, a child injured by a landmine and mass arrests to use people as human shields. EVENT 1 Heavy explosion near the Salween Bridge military checkpoint Date: 31 July 2023 Coords: 16.837532, 97.618863 Incident summary: The SAC gate at the Salween Bridge in Hap-an township, Karen state where inspections were regular carried out by SAC forces , exploded this morning on 31 July 2023. 11 people were reportedly injured in the explosion. Sources: https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/693811006124899 https://www.facebook.com/MeKongNewsMM/posts/313718187681299 Geolocation by Myanmar Witness: Category: Bridge, Explosion Alleged Actor: PDF(?) EVENT 2 Nearly 50 people arrested to be used as human shield by SAC troops Date: 27 July 2023 Coords: 14.508460, 97.991546 Incident summary: Multiple local media reported that nearly 50 people were arrested in Zar Di village, Yebyu township in Tanintharyi region on 27 July 2023 by SAC troops after the offensive into the village. Those arrested were reportedly denied contact with their families until 30 July 2023. It’s also claimed that SAC forced the arrested local people to wear military uniforms and to carry weapons. Those arrested included men and women between the age of 18 and 60 years old from four villages in Yebyu township. No footage of the incident was so far found. Sources: Mizzima: https://www.facebook.com/MizzimaDaily/posts/615578550716407 Delta News Agency: https://www.facebook.com/deltanewsagency/posts/678870317619382 Dawei Watch: https://www.facebook.com/DaweiWatch/posts/653014420311243 RFA: https://www.facebook.com/rfaburmese/posts/674597661368306 Category: Arbitrary Arrest, Human Shields Alleged Actor: SAC EVENT 3 Three women including minor wounded by a landmine in Karen state Date: 29 July 2023 Coords: 21.483379, 94.828132 Incident summary: Three women including a 12-year-old girl were injured after stepping on a landmine near Aung Mingalar village, Kawkareik township, Karen state on 29 July 2023. Source: https://www.facebook.com/deltanewsagency/posts/678991574273923 Category: Landmine, Child, Women Alleged Actor: SAC

Weekly News Briefing 24th - 31st July 2023 The SAC is facing growing resistance, even in its core stronghold of Naypyitaw, with widespread clashes across the country and an airstrike in Shan state. Rumours emerge that the junta may make conciliatory moves around the detention of popular leader Aung Sang Suu Kyi. Event 1: Mortar Attack in Kyauktaga Township, Bago Allegedly, the SAC's LIB 264, LID 307, LID 308 fired heavy weaponry, resulting in 4 civilian deaths in Tha Min Inn Kone village, Kyauktaga township, Bago. The attack was reportedly prompted by information suggesting the arrival of revolutionary forces in the vicinity. The event mirrored a similar attack in early June, which also resulted in 4 civilian deaths. https://www.facebook.com/khitthitnews/posts/pfbid028U6g9KPmSdeFxWVzzgRGYoruA2QPkjMT6UtYXY5NqnFM7nZGMyJaZURUba3SJXUyl Event 2: Violence and Evacuation in Salingyi Township Local villagers from 10 villages in Salingyi Township had to flee due to a raid by the SAC column. The displacement happened amidst heavy rain, amplifying the hardship of the affected population. https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/pfbid0E4Lz2jNzt5mthob4rJ9VYEC6HCJQcPD9tDjRq1hrCDPGd1qgJcA4nnbVyppDt83Ml Event 3: Property Destruction in Ma Sar Twi Village A SAC convoy was reportedly stationed in Ma Sar Twi village for two days, during which they destroyed and stole civilians' properties, including schools and churches. https://www.facebook.com/KhonumthungBurmese/posts/pfbid0z8dFuLpbPg3K6KvNTeuJXQpxTeNuJSbFtXgYwLt1HXZrnQQB45vapuSocysDYaRYl Event 4: Destruction in Launglon Township Myanmar military forces reportedly raided the Taung Min Pyaung village after clashes with PDF near Kha Maung Taung village. During the raid, SAC troops burnt down three houses and destroyed more than 50 others. https://www.facebook.com/DaweiWatch/posts/pfbid02HmpGqNaB86zcDPd8JdaWeu47Cvxi2jG8Ck4btbUegUgq4SybBQvXLGR1TGyEkrV1l Event 5: Airstrike in Muse, Shan State An airstrike allegedly conducted by the SAC was reported in Nam Aum village, Muse Township, Shan State. This airstrike followed an artillery attack on the village the previous day, which reportedly resulted in one casualty. https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=803761111237776 Event 6: Discovery of a Dead Body in Myingyan Township A dead body, suspected to have been killed by the SAC, was discovered on the road at the entrance of Hle Ku Ma village, Myingyan Township. The man had reportedly been shot in the forehead. https://www.facebook.com/mandalayfreepress/posts/331728725852921 Event 7: Military Supply Transport along the Ayeyarwady River Nine military ships carrying supplies began traveling along the upper Ayeyarwady river from Gaw Wein Jetty in Mandalay, reportedly headed towards Bamoh- Katha Township. https://www.facebook.com/mandalayfreepress/posts/332104322482028 Event 8: Rumour of Aung San Suu Kyi's House Arrest News emerged that Daw Aung San Suu Kyi may have been transferred from jail to house arrest. Further confirmation is awaited. https://www.facebook.com/BBCnewsBurmese/posts/690348456471154