No relief
The junta’s minister for social welfare, relief and resettlement outlined its plans to handle natural disasters during a panel discussion held in Naypyitaw on Wednesday to mark the annual International Day for Disaster Reduction.
As former Major General Soe Win spoke, tens of thousands of flood victims across the country had abandoned their homes and were struggling to survive amid a conspicuous lack of aid from his ministry.
The absence of an emergency response even extended to Naypyitaw, the junta’s nerve center, resulting in a major loss of life. At least 19 civilians were confirmed killed by floods in the administrative capital, with dozens more still missing. Many residents have been trapped on rooftops and in trees without food for days.
At least 10 towns across Naypyitaw, Mandalay, Bago, Mon, Karen, and Shan State have been hit by flooding, inflicting casualties and displacing tens of thousands. However, the only aid for victims is coming from local civil society organizations and Red Cross agencies. Neither junta boss Min Aung Hlaing nor his social welfare minister Soe Win have been seen in flood-hit areas.
In Thailand, where floodwater has also inundated communities, the military is using helicopters to rescue civilians. Meanwhile, Myanmar junta helicopters conducted indiscriminate airstrikes on villages in Hpakant Township, Kachin State on Thursday.
Junta airstrikes killed 359 civilians, including 61 children, during the first four months of this year, according to independent research group Nyan Lin Thit Analytica.
Beijing tightens military cooperation
Two junta ministers responsible for atrocities against Myanmar civilians visited China this week.
Junta Home Affairs Minister Yar Pyae attended the three-day Global Public Security Cooperation Forum in Jiangsu Province from Sept. 8-10 at the invitation of China’s Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong.
Defense Minister Admiral Tin Aung San is attending the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum from Sept.12-14 at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun. Representatives from over 100 countries and organizations are attending the three-day annual forum, featuring discussions on global security, regional stability, and innovative defense technologies.
Despite the scores of civilians, including pregnant women and children, killed by junta attacks in the run-up to Yar Pyae’s trip, Beijing signed a memorandum of understanding to provide police equipment and supplies worth 5 million yuan (about US$ 700,000) during his visit.
Two weeks before his visit to China, Tin Aung San held talks in Naypyitaw on Aug. 28 with Chinese ambassador Ma Jia, who described cooperation between the two militaries as a vital part of the China-Myanmar friendship. Tin Aung San thanked China for supporting the Myanmar military over successive periods.
The following day, China’s Ruili Security Committee issued a warning to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), one of the three ethnic armies of the Brotherhood Alliance that has seized most of northern Shan State, including its capital Lashio and the junta’s Northeastern Command located there. The warning told the TNLA to stop fighting immediately.
Home affairs minister in China
Myanmar Home Affairs Minister attends Global Public Security Cooperation Forum at the invitation of China’s Public Security Ministry. Read more
Warplanes kill 40 civilians
Warplanes kill scores of civilians in attacks on a school, bazaar, IDP camp and residential wards across Myanmar after regime boss vows retaliation following territory losses. Read more
More conscripts readied for battle
If the regime’s claims are true, it has drafted 25,000 recruits in the past six months.
