Myanmar Military News Updates – Jul 21, 2025 Morning
๐ฉ๐ฉ 1. One Junta Warship Sunk, Three Set Ablaze in Irrawaddy River Attacks from Gawwon Port
July 20
Radio NUG
On July 17, a convoy of 14 vessels, including 5 military warships that departed from Gawwon Port in Mandalay and traveled south along the Irrawaddy River, was intercepted and attacked by the People’s Defense Forces (Mandalay) at various points in Madaya, Singu, and Thabeikkyin townships, according to an official announcement.
As a result of the coordinated river attacks, a junta tugboat transporting weapons, ammunition, and supplies was sunk. One warship and two other tugboats were also set ablaze and seriously damaged, reports said.
The terrorist military junta provided repeated aerial support for the advancing fleet along the river using Y-12 aircraft for bombing runs. Despite intense and repeated aerial bombardments with jet fighters and Mi-35 helicopters, the resistance forces reportedly succeeded in targeting and damaging the fleet.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 2. Junta Base in Eastern Phone Kan, Pakokku Attacked with 60mm and 40mm Shells; One Killed
July 20
Radio NUG
At around 10 a.m. on July 19, resistance forces attacked a junta military outpost stationed in Eastern Phone Kan Village, Pakokku Township, using 60mm long-range and 40mm close-range shells, according to a release by the Southern YSO PDF.
The attack reportedly killed one junta soldier and wounded two others. The wounded were transported to Pakokku through successive outposts including Thida Gate, Yebeh, and Phone Kan. Additionally, about 70 reinforcements were deployed to Phone Kan checkpoint following the attack.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 3. Clashes Continue for Over 10 Days in Nganzun Township
July 20
Radio NUG
Fierce fighting between People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and junta troops has continued for more than 10 days in several villages across Nganzun Township, Mandalay Region, since clashes first broke out on July 9, according to the Myoang Township People’s Defense and Security Organization (CDSOM).
According to reports, the fighting began when PDF units entered villages to distribute anti-election materials and encountered a large military column of over 300 junta troops, triggering combat.
While the clashes are ongoing, the junta forces have carried out daily airstrikes, causing thousands of civilians to flee their homes and seek refuge in surrounding areas.
“The junta has overwhelming numbers, and their troops here are not locals. They didn’t come expecting combat. As the days drag on, we're considering the hardships they'll face and asked them to return. But the locals have urged, ‘Please don’t go yet.’ So as long as they stay, we too must stay to keep protecting them. That’s why we deeply respect the People’s Defense fighters,” one source shared.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 4. Two Children Under 18 and Two Civilians Injured by Junta Heavy Artillery in Hpapun District
July 20
Radio NUG
According to the KNU (Karen National Union) in Hpapun District, Mutraw Township, on July 14, junta troops stationed at Natthankwin fired a total of four 120mm artillery shells—two landed in a village on the western bank of Yelal Village, and two more struck between Yelal Village and Taung Su Village.
As a result of this shelling, three civilians were wounded in the western bank village: U Kyi Naing (age 40), Maung Hein Zaw (age 17), and Ma Nhin Yati Moe (age 4), reportedly sustaining injuries from the explosions.
Furthermore, on July 18, the junta’s forces based in Natthankwin launched six more artillery shells: two between Ahnya Su Village and Yelal Karen Village, two to the east of Yelal Karen Village, and two more to its west, according to the report.
On the same day, one 120mm shell fired by Infantry Battalion 307 hit Thingan Kon Village, wounding Ma Saw Nan Wai (age 36), a local resident.
Similarly, in Hsaw Hti Township, on July 16, junta troops from LIB-598 based in Zalote Gyi deliberately shelled Winkon Village with four 81mm rounds. On July 18, LIB-20 fired five 120mm shells into Gway Kon Village.
Additionally, on July 16, U Myo Min Thein (age 52), a resident of Thitphyaungtan Village in Ledo Township, was arrested at a junta checkpoint near Ngekpyaotaw while returning from shopping in Hpapun Town. On July 18, LIB-20 shelled three more 120mm rounds: two into a field in Yintinkon Village and one into Kanyinkyoe Village. On the same day, LIB-264 fired a 120mm shell into Lay Eain Su Village.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 5. KNU Urges People to Flee Forced Conscription as Two Soldiers Defect and Reveal Experiences
July 20
Radio NUG
In response to the junta’s ongoing forced military conscription and deployment of civilians to frontline combat zones, two defecting soldiers who sought refuge with the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 3 in KNU-controlled Hpapun District shared their testimonies on July 20 via a KNLA press release.
The defectors are identified as Soe The Aung from LIB-581 and Nhin Maung from LIB-20. They detailed how they were forcibly recruited and sent to the frontlines under harsh and inhumane conditions.
Soe The Aung recounted being stopped by junta troops at night while walking through his neighborhood. He was threatened at gunpoint, forced into a vehicle, and sent to a military training camp. After completing training, he was assigned to a road security detail at Natthankwin before being deployed to the frontline.
He also revealed that after his first escape attempt, he was re-arrested, detained in a military prison, and later forcibly redeployed to the front due to manpower shortages.
“If the junta calls you, run while you can. Avoid them. Only we who lived through it know how horrible it was. People are too afraid to escape because of the terror inside the military. But be brave. Reach out and defect,” urged Soe The Aung.
Nhin Maung shared that he too had been forcibly conscripted, first sent from the Natmauk detention center to a recruitment camp in Magway, then transferred to Hopong in Shan State for military training. After training, he tried to escape, was captured, and detained for a month. Later, under the pretext of "heavy weapon security," he was sent again to the frontline.
He encouraged his remaining friends inside the military to connect with resistance forces and defect as well.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 6. Junta-Ordered Destruction of Monasteries and Homes Confirmed by New Military Defector to AA
July 20
Radio NUG
A newly defected soldier who surrendered to the Arakan Army (AA) has revealed that the junta issued direct orders to destroy civilian homes and Buddhist monasteries in Rakhine State.
Private Nai Win Soe, a native of Kyaukphyu Township, said he was forcibly conscripted by the junta in January 2025 and sent for six weeks of military training in Ye Mon Military Town before being deployed to Rakhine State.
Following the collapse of his previous unit in Ngapali, he was reassigned to Division 55, re-formed in Sittwe, and served on the frontline near A Myint Kyun. While stationed there, he made contact with locals and ultimately surrendered to the AA.
He reported that upon arrival in Rakhine, he was ordered to build bunkers, dig communication trenches, and construct bomb shelters. More disturbingly, he said soldiers were instructed to enter villages and intentionally destroy homes and monasteries under direct military orders.
“They [commanders] told us AA forces were right in front of A Myint Kyun, and if we defected or got captured, they would beat us with rods, slit our throats, and starve us. That’s how they threatened us,” he said.
He further explained that soldiers' phones were confiscated, cutting them off from all contact with their families and outside news.
During training, the junta reportedly showed them distorted videos and photos of alleged AA atrocities to dissuade defection. Similar propaganda was circulated about other ethnic resistance groups, including claims that the Karen National Union (KNU) and Kachin Independence Army (KIA) would brutally execute any soldiers who defected to them.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 7. Two New Junta Recruits Defect with Weapons from Kyaitko Missile Battalion and Hmawbi Police Unit (5)
July 20
Radio NUG
On July 19, a newly conscripted junta soldier from Missile Battalion No. 602 in Kyaitko defected, carrying with him three firearms and surrendering to Strategic Command No. 2 under Military Region No. 27, according to an official announcement.
The soldier, who had been part of Weekly Batch 10, brought with him:
- 2 MA-1 assault rifles
- 1 MA-3 rifle
- 6 magazines
- 129 rounds of ammunition
- 1 Inaga grenade launcher
He was reportedly rescued through a joint operation between Region 27 forces and local Kyaitko People’s Defense Forces (PDF).
Similarly, on the same day, Maung Ngein Min, an individual conscripted by force into Police Battalion 5 of Hmawbi, Yangon, also defected. His ID number was L_306146, and he turned himself in to the Taungtha Township People’s Defense Group. He surrendered with:
- 2 hand grenades
- 250 rounds of ammunition
These military news updates were reported by Radio NUG correspondent Khur Shel.
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