Regime seeks ‘help’ to hold elections in Shan State; Five civilians killed by airstrike on monastery in Mogok

Regime seeks ‘help’ to hold elections in Shan State

Sources close to the regime in Naypyidaw told DVB that a delegation led by Shan State Chief Minister Aung Aung met with the United Wa State Army (UWSA) in Pangsang, the capital of the Wa Self-Administered Division in northern Shan, as well as the National Democratic Alliance Army (NDAA) in Mongla, located in the Eastern Shan State Special Region 4, on Aug. 6-7.

“Regime delegates promised assistance in regional development in exchange for cooperation [in holding the December elections],” a military source told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The source added that the regime is “concerned” with the lack of control it has in eastern and northern Shan. The Pa-O National Organization (PNO) reportedly pledged to assist the regime with elections in southern Shan.

Pangsang is located 265 miles (426 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi. Mongla is located 336 miles (540 km) east of Taunggyi. Namtu, Mabein, Kutkai, Namkham, Hsenwi, Kunlong, Namhsan, Manton, Hopang, Laukkai, Konkyan, Momeik, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mongla in northern and eastern Shan were among 63 townships placed under martial law by Ming Aung Hlaing on July 31.