Myanmar or Burma

Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) — which is known as the offshore bank of choice for Myanmar generals — has told Myanmar banks that it will cut off ties with them by September 1, Nikkei Asia reported on Wednesday.

It will also impose tough new curbs on Visa and Mastercard transactions by Myanmar individuals and banks, restricting their dealings to accounts within UOB.

The latest clampdown was also seen as a response to US pressure on Singapore to curb offshore banking and financial services for Myanmar’s military regime.

Chinese mining firm Wanbao, which is operating copper mines in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, has seized neighboring farmland.

The company has fenced-off farms in old Wethmay village to the east of the mining compound.

The Kachin Independent Army (KIA) says it seized two Myanmar junta outposts and one held by the regime-allied Shan Nationalities Army (SNA) in Hpakant Township, Kachin State, on Monday.

Myanmar’s civilian Nation Unity Government (NUG) claims 3,012 junta soldiers were killed and 4,021 wounded during clashes with its armed wings and ethnic rebel allies in the first half of 2023.

Two columns of 400 junta soldiers, police officers and members of the Pyu Saw Htee junta-aligned militia were attacked by Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) led defence forces at about 12:00 p.m. on 19 July, according to the NUG MOD statement.

It said that the fighting lasted for about one hour. 33 junta personnel, including army captains were killed on the battlefield and a further 8 died later in hospital, bringing the junta death toll from the fighting to 41. Another 40 junta personnel were injured and are being treated at Taungoo Hospital. One defence force fighter was also killed and another one was injured.

The casualty numbers were confirmed by Comrade Tin Oo, the second-in-command of the NUG’s Military Region No.2 (Bago).