Myanmar Roundup: Rebel attack, Japanese leader arrested, command chief sacked

Rebels attack western Myanmar town

Rohingya minority face danger as rebels attack Maungdaw town in western Myanmar. Residents report armed drones, injuries, and worsening conditions. Thousands of Rohingya are trapped in the town with limited access to food and healthcare. The ongoing conflict has forced some Rohingya to flee to refugee camps in Bangladesh, according to the Indian Express. Myanmar's military junta and armed rebel groups have been clashing in the area, leaving the local population in fear for their lives.

Floods force thousands to flee homes

Floods in northern Myanmar have displaced 10,000 people, with many trapped on their roofs as rivers burst their banks. Heavy rain in Kachin state has caused widespread flooding, forcing residents to seek shelter in monasteries and evacuation facilities. The flooding has also affected camps for people displaced by fighting between insurgent groups and junta forces. According to reports, there are concerns that the flood will reach other river-side communities in the region.

Surge in violence in Shan state

Myanmar's Shan state has seen a surge in violence over 10 days, resulting in casualties and displacement. Rebels attacked military battalions, and airstrikes have caused extensive damage. The fighting has affected the operations of humanitarian groups. The upsurge has also led to unrest in other regions, including Rakhine and Chin states, UCA News reports.

Japanese leader arrested for price inflation

Myanmar's military junta has arrested a Japanese supermarket executive for allegedly inflating prices of basic necessities in response to public discontent over rising prices. The arrest comes amid a deepening economic crisis, with the World Bank forecasting minimal economic growth and persistent inflation due to civil conflicts and supply chain disruptions. The country's economy remains smaller than before the military coup, with shortages of essential imported components and electricity supply disruptions posing significant challenges for businesses, Agenzia Nova reports

Central command chief sacked after shooting monk

Myanmar junta has replaced its Central Command chief Major General Kyi Khaing after the shooting of  78-year-old Buddhist monk Sayadaw Bhaddanta Munindabhivamsa. Kyi Khaing was replaced by Major General Aung Khaing Win. The regime's forces were responsible for the killing of the senior monk. Aung Khaing Win previously led the Triangle Region Command. His transfer comes amid fighting with armed groups in the Mandalay Region. Kyi Khaing is the first Central Command chief to be dismissed since the 2021 coup, local media The Irrawaddy reported.