Spring Revolution – Mizzima Daily Notes

24 August 2026

Mizzima

Karenni and Rakhine: Conflict and Civilian Casualties

In Karenni State, 26-year-old Khu Phae Thu, a member of the Emergency Rescue Department under the Interim Executive Council’s Ministry of Home Affairs, was reportedly detained by military troops on 20 August while helping evacuate displaced civilians in eastern Hpruso Township. He later died from injuries allegedly sustained during beating and torture. His funeral was held on 22 August. He was also reported to be a police officer who had joined the Civil Disobedience Movement.

In Rakhine State, the Arakan Army said the military carried out coordinated air attacks involving 10 aircraft on areas sheltering displaced people and civilians in Ngapali, Thandwe Township, and Gwa Township on the night of 21 August.

One displaced person was killed and 22 others were injured, according to the AA.

Sagaing Airstrike and NUG Defence Ministry Statement

The death toll from a military airstrike on a meditation retreat in Swel Le Oh village, Myaung Township, Sagaing Region, on 21 August rose to 15, according to the Myaung Township People’s Administration Team. Four people reportedly lost limbs as a result of the attack.

The National Unity Government’s Ministry of Defence said on 23 August that 27 military personnel were killed and 19 captured during clashes in Mandalay, Magway and Bago regions in July.

Shan State Fighting and Flooding in Ngazun

In Mong Pyin Township, Shan State, fighting broke out on 22 August between military troops from Light Infantry Battalion 314 and the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS).

The approximately 20-minute clash left six military personnel dead, according to the RCSS.

Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Ayeyarwady River have caused serious difficulties for around 36,575 displaced households in Ngazun Township, Mandalay Region. Emergency food supplies and drinking water are urgently needed.

Thailand and International Developments

Thailand’s Royal Gazette published the Peaceful Society Promotion Act 2026, granting amnesty for certain political protests and expressions carried out between 2005 and 2025.

The law takes effect on 24 August 2026. However, it excludes corruption-related offences, cases under Section 112, and offences under Section 297 involving death or serious injury.

In Thailand’s southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, authorities issued security warnings after 51 incidents were reported on the night of 22 August. The public was advised not to approach suspicious persons, objects or vehicles and instead to notify authorities.

At a senior APEC customs meeting in Dalian, China, Myanmar and Chinese customs authorities signed a memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation.

Myanmar military leader Min Aung Hlaing returned to Naypyidaw on the evening of 23 August after an official trip to Russia and Belarus that began on 17 August.

Natural Disasters and Other Developments

Two earthquakes, measuring magnitude 4.7 and magnitude 4.0, struck in succession near Bago on the morning of 23 August.

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake also struck near Tokyo on the same morning, reportedly injuring 37 people.

In northern India, a 53-year-old elephant affected by flooding was airlifted to the Vantara rescue and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat for treatment.

Veteran Myanmar singer Khin Zaw, also known as U Nyi Nyi Win, who was prominent during the 1970s and 1980s, died in Yangon at the age of 65 from pneumonia.