Development Media Group - English Edition

Under the scorching summer sun, 47-year-old Daw Oo Saw Nwe and three members of her family strain to push bamboo rafts that have become stranded after drifting down from the upper reaches of the Lay Myo River.

At this same time last year, this section of the river was about six feet deep. This year, however, it is barely three feet deep and has turned into a shallow sandbank.

“A journey that used to take three days now takes about five days. Because the water is shallow, boats get stranded. When we cannot move forward, we have to stop at villages and wait for the tide to rise,” said Daw Oo Saw Nwe, who is over 50 years old and lives in Rwamani Village, Mrauk-U Township.

Her family has relied on cutting and selling bamboo from the Lay Myo River area for more than a decade.

Residents say that over the past 10 years, the river channel has become noticeably shallower year by year, while riverbank erosion in nearby villages has also worsened annually.

For local people like Daw Oo Saw Nwe and her family, who depend on the Lay Myo River for their livelihoods, the river is no longer a lifeline. It has become a “river of anxiety” that threatens both their livelihoods and their safety.

Read more: https://www.dmediag.com/feature/thcoo.html

Arakan Army donates K10 million for rehabilitation of blast-hit village in northern Shan State

DMG Newsroom

10 June 2026, Namhkam, northern Shan State

The Arakan Army (AA) has donated K10 million to support rehabilitation efforts in Kaung Tat Village in Namhkam Township, northern Shan State, following a deadly explosion in the area, according to local coordinators.

An official statement released on June 10 said the donation was handed over to the Kaung Tat Village Rehabilitation Committee by representatives of the Arakan Army's Fire Dragon Military Region, based in Muse's 105-Mile area.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), which administers the area, previously reported that an accidental explosion involving commercial gelignite stored in Kaung Tat Village on May 31 killed 43 people and injured 75 others.

The United League of Arakan/Arakan Army (ULA/AA) and the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta'ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) are members of the Brotherhood Alliance and maintain close military and political cooperation.

In a statement issued on June 8, the TNLA expressed condolences to the victims and their families and apologised for the incident. The group said it had provided K10 million in emergency assistance to the family of each person killed in the explosion.

The TNLA also said its administrative and healthcare departments are continuing to provide medical treatment, healthcare services and other forms of assistance to those injured in the blast.

Local administrative sources said the Kaung Tat Village Rehabilitation Committee has already begun efforts to rebuild homes and infrastructure damaged or destroyed by the explosion.

Photo: Kaung Tat Village Rehabilitation Committee

Junta moves to tighten control of key waterway near besieged naval station in Kyaukphyu

DMG Newsroom

9 June 2026, Kyaukphyu

Myanmar military regime forces are seeking to tighten control over the Kyaukphyu-Ramree waterway near the besieged Taung Maw Gyi naval station, with troops reportedly opening fire on civilian vessels using the route, local sources said.

On June 7, a junta navy speed boat opened fire with a machine gun on a civilian motorboat travelling from Ramree Township near Minkyaung Creek, injuring two men on board.

"The targeted boat belonged to traders from Ann Township and was transporting livestock," a Kyaukphyu resident told DMG. "Junta warships have recently increased the deployment of speed boats in the Thanzit River. Anyone travelling toward the Ramree side must exercise extreme caution."

Previously, junta naval movements were largely limited to the area surrounding the Taung Maw Gyi naval station in the middle of the Thanzit River.

However, regime forces have expanded patrol operations using small speed boats in the outer sections of the river and around the mouth of Minkyaung Creek on the border of Ramree Township.

The waterway has been under the operational control of the Arakan Army (AA) since resistance forces captured Ramree Town earlier this year. Local residents said junta naval vessels attempting to enter the area have frequently come under attack.

"During the battle for Ramree, the Arakan Army successfully repelled approaching junta warships, forcing the regime to withdraw from the waterway for a period," another resident said.

Military observers believe the regime's renewed naval operations are aimed at preventing the Arakan Army from launching an assault on the Taung Maw Gyi naval station, which is currently under siege.

"The Taung Maw Gyi naval station is completely cut off by the Arakan Army on land," a Ramree resident said. "The waterway is the regime's only remaining supply route and defensive lifeline. They are reinforcing security on the river because they fear an Arakan Army assault from the water."

The shipping route is a key transportation corridor linking Ramree, Kyaukphyu, Ann and Myebon townships. Local traders said the junta's restrictions have effectively disrupted travel and the transport of goods in the area.

Fighting around the Taung Maw Gyi naval station has intensified over the past month, with the Arakan Army reportedly capturing several forward defensive positions within a one-mile radius of the base.

Residents also reported that junta forces have stepped up air and artillery attacks using fighter jets, drones, paramotors and naval weapons against nearby villages, resulting in civilian casualties.

Caption: An illustration depicting the positions of junta warships within the Thanzit River. Photo: DMG

https://dmediag.com/news/jmttc.html

Junta holds talks with seven NCA signatory groups in Nay Pyi Taw

DMG Newsroom

9 June 2026, Nay Pyi Taw

The Myanmar military regime's National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) held talks on Tuesday with seven ethnic armed organizations that are signatories to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA), according to a statement released by the 7 EAO Alliance.

The alliance said the meeting was aimed at seeking political solutions to the country's ongoing crisis and creating opportunities for free and unconditional dialogue to advance the peace process.

According to the 7 EAO Alliance, its member organizations reviewed the regime's invitation to peace talks through individual assessments and collective discussions among their leadership before agreeing on a common position to participate in the meeting.

The alliance also expressed its willingness to cooperate in restructuring the peace process to reflect current political realities.

It said its goal is to ensure the participation of all relevant stakeholders and establish a framework for long-term and sustainable peace.

During the meeting, both sides were expected to exchange views and discuss agendas related to peacemaking efforts. The 7 EAO Alliance urged all parties involved to engage constructively to achieve positive outcomes.

The 7 EAO Alliance comprises the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the New Mon State Party (NMSP), the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), the Karen National Union/Karen National Liberation Army-Peace Council (KNU/KNLA-PC), the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO), the Arakan Liberation Party (ALP), and the Lahu Democratic Union (LDU).

While the military regime has repeatedly invited ethnic armed organizations and resistance groups to peace talks, major revolutionary forces have continued to reject the offers and maintain military operations against junta forces across the country.

Photo: 7 EAO Alliance