Myanmar Domestic News Updates – Jul 18, 2025 Evening
ππ 1. TNLA Urged to Pursue a New Political Path Based on Lessons from Taung Kham and Naung Cho Battles — Legal Aid Network Recommends
July 18
The Legal Aid Network issued a recommendation today, July 18, urging the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) to draw lessons from the battles of Taung Kham and Naung Cho and to advance along a new political trajectory.
According to the Legal Aid Network, this recommendation is based on a legal and governance perspective derived from the analysis of those military encounters. The statement recognizes TNLA as an ethnic armed organization that has persistently engaged in armed struggle for the abolition of the military dictatorship and the establishment of a federal democratic union.
Despite potential pressures, the Legal Aid Network commended TNLA's efforts to prepare for a transition toward rule of law, describing it as a commendable and valuable undertaking.
The network analyzed four key factors that contributed to TNLA’s retreat in the Taung Kham and Naung Cho offensives:
- Decreased involvement and strength of allied ethnic forces and PDFs under the National Unity Government (NUG),
- Lack of participation by PDFs not affiliated with the NUG,
- The military council's overwhelming superiority in manpower,
- The junta’s intensified and aggressive deployment of superior weaponry.
In light of these, the Legal Aid Network advised that the most effective way to neutralize the junta's military dominance and weapon superiority would be to initiate immediate political reform and implementation.
It emphasized that TNLA's active resistance against the authoritarian regime and the junta serves as a form of justice against war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the terrorist military led by Min Aung Hlaing.
Furthermore, TNLA was urged to respect and recognize the political rights and historical identities of other ethnic groups, given its own aspirations for establishing a Ta’ang state.
As the Ta’ang region lies within present-day Shan State, the Legal Aid Network also recommended that TNLA consult and coordinate with the major political and military stakeholders in Shan State when exercising governance over the territories under its control.
Additionally, since revolutionary forces from the plains have fought alongside TNLA in these offensives, the Network encouraged formal recognition not only of those organizations but also of individual fighters — through commendations, assignments to political, military, or administrative posts, and support to families of fallen comrades.
It concluded that if these suggestions are implemented, TNLA would be able to retain control over its current territories and possibly reclaim Taung Kham and Naung Cho.
The Legal Aid Network further advised TNLA that if it allies with other southern Myanmar resistance forces, such as the Arakan Army (AA), which is waging a sustained counteroffensive, they could together advance as far as Naypyitaw. This, it claimed, could render the junta's planned elections obsolete and irrelevant.
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ππ 2. KNU Commends Successful Development and Launch of Kōthu Lei Unicode System
July 18
The Karen National Union (KNU) officially expressed commendation today, July 18, for the successful development and launch of the Kōthu Lei Unicode system.
According to KNU’s statement, the success represents a major milestone in preserving the Sgaw Karen, Eastern Pwo Karen, and Western Pwo Karen languages, strengthening cultural identity, promoting self-governance, and enabling integration of Karen languages into global digital platforms.
The Kōthu Lei Unicode system was spearheaded by the KNU’s Economic Committee Support Office (KECS) and the Karen Education and Culture Department (KECD), with key contributions from skilled Karen youth in the IT sector.
First officially released on April 20, 2023, the system faced initial limitations, but following its recognition by Facebook–Meta on July 15, 2025, it has now become globally usable and widely adopted — marking a significant milestone.
The Unicode system not only enables the digital representation of linguistic heritage but also revitalizes the language through the creation of new content, strengthening cultural identity and continuity.
It also enhances digital ownership, artificial intelligence integration, and community empowerment, enabling Karen language speakers worldwide to participate in the digital world. It paves the way for mother-tongue education materials, improved literacy, and unrestricted global communication for Karen people, the statement said.
Furthermore, by integrating with digital platforms, the Unicode system affirms the official status of the language, strengthens community outreach and mobilization, and opens promising prospects for digital economy and governance models, the KNU emphasized.
The KNU acknowledged the vision, dedication, and technical expertise of the KECS, KECD, Karen IT professionals, and those who contributed to the Kōthu Lei Unicode Movement, extending formal recognition for their roles in the success and promotion of the system.
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ππ 3. Chinese State-Owned Arms Conglomerate and Subsidiaries Involved in Enabling Junta to Mass-Produce Aerial Bombs
July 18
The Chinese state-owned conglomerate, China South Industries Group Corporation (CSGC), along with two of its subsidiaries, has played a major role in enabling the Myanmar military junta to mass-produce aerial bombs, according to a report released on July 16 by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar (SAC-M).
The report identifies Hunan Vanguard, a subsidiary of China South, as a key supporter assisting the junta. SAC-M stated that Chinese state-owned companies are involved in the production and maintenance processes of CAP-21 aerial bombs, which are currently among the most extensively deployed munitions by the Myanmar Air Force.
Based on photographic evidence and other documentation, SAC-M confirmed that CAP-21 aerial bombs have indeed been manufactured and equipped with the assistance of Chinese entities.
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ππ 4. Vogue Italia Removes Article Featuring Rachel Tayza Following Letter from Justice For Myanmar to Parent Company CondΓ© Nast
July 18
Following a letter sent by Justice For Myanmar (JFM) to CondΓ© Nast, the parent company of top fashion magazine Vogue Italia, the magazine’s website has removed a page featuring Rachel Tayza, daughter of U Tayza, a sanctioned Myanmar crony.
The article was taken down after JFM highlighted Tayza’s connections to Myanmar’s military regime and her role within the Htoo Group, which has profited from its ties to the junta.
JFM welcomed Vogue Italia’s removal of the article, stating that the action aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the OECD Guidelines for Responsible Business Conduct.
JFM emphasized that Rachel Tayza is not only an executive within the Htoo Group but also a beneficiary of the group’s profits linked to the military’s violent repression of civilians. The Htoo Group has been involved in brokering arms deals and financially supporting the junta through land leases and other dubious agreements, JFM stated.
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ππ 5. Revolutionary Film by Director Ko Pauk and Academy Award Winner Min Maw Kun Set to Premiere in August
July 18
A new revolutionary film created by director Ko Pauk and Academy award-winning actor Min Maw Kun is scheduled to premiere this August, according to an announcement from Yaung Ni Lar Yar Lan – Pag on July 18.
The film, described as a commemorative revolutionary project, marks the first cinematic collaboration between Ko Pauk, serving as director, and Min Maw Kun in a lead acting role. It will debut in August.
The Yaung Ni Lar Yar Lan film has received strong support from the Myanmar diaspora, and funds raised from the screenings have been channeled directly to critical needs inside Myanmar.
This news update was provided by Radio NUG reporters Ko Khant and Tharki.
#SpringRevolution
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