NUG holds Martyrs' Day commemoration, resistance activities intensify across the country

National Unity Government (NUG) The People's Defence Force (PDF) auxiliary forces of the Ministry of Defence of the National Unity Government (NUG) and local residents jointly organized a commemorative ceremony ahead of the 79th Martyrs' Day in Sarlingyi Township, according to a statement released today by PDF Voice. Intense clashes are ongoing between the military council troops and allied revolutionary forces, including Strategic Division 32 led by KNU/KNLA, in the southern part of Myawaddy town in Karen State. The Jackal Battalion (Strategic Division 32) announced that some military council troops were captured alive along with their weapons and ammunition during these battles. A commemorative ceremony for the 79th Martyrs' Day will be jointly organized by the Committee Representing the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH) and the National Unity Government (NUG), and will begin at 9:30 AM on July 19, according to a notification. Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, Permanent Representative of Myanmar to the United Nations, delivered a speech at the ministerial-level general debate of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 2026, held at the UN Headquarters in New York. The People's Defence Army (PDF) medical units under the Ministry of Defence of the National Unity Government (NUG) are being organized and operating under regional and district commands, providing healthcare services to revolutionary comrades and the public, according to a statement from the PDF General Headquarters. A campaign to commemorate the 79th Martyrs' Day was led and organized by the Depayin Township CDM Council, according to the Sagaing Federal Unit CDM Civil Servants Council (CCSC-SFU). Competitions to commemorate the 79th Martyrs' Day are being led and organized by the Tanse Township CDM Council, according to the Sagaing Federal Unit CDM Civil Servants Council (CCSC-SFU). Revolutionary Activities The Bangladeshi government is planning to build a 108-kilometer-long barbed wire fence along the Myanmar-Bangladesh border, citing the increasing insecurity and cross-border crimes in Myanmar's Rakhine State, Nikkei Asia reported. More than 200 Myanmar civil society organizations (CSOs) have protested the renewed blocking of Starlink internet services in Myanmar, stating that it has severely impacted the public and humanitarian aid efforts. They have jointly sent an open letter to the US government, SpaceX, and the international community demanding action. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines, next week, aiming to reaffirm partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions are also expected to cover China's influence, the impact of the Iran conflict on energy security, the South China Sea issue, and the situation in Myanmar. Justice for Myanmar (JFM) announced on July 17 that a network linked to the military junta attempted to sell and launder approximately 800 kilograms of gold, valued at around US$48 million, through Thailand, Laos, and Hong Kong, a few months after the military coup. Burma Campaign UK has strongly criticized the UK government's decision to reduce humanitarian and development aid to Myanmar for the current fiscal year from £66 million to £55 million. An entertainment video contest aimed at providing relaxation for the public and revolutionary fighters has been temporarily suspended due to a technical attack and is scheduled to resume on July 21. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that the Myanmar junta's Foreign Minister will not be allowed to attend the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting to be held in Manila, Philippines, according to The Philippine News Agency (PNA). A commemorative lecture for the 79th Martyrs' Day was held at a community-based school in Kaney Township, Sagaing Region, according to the Kaney Township Strike Leading Committee. Leaflets were distributed in Shwebo Township, Sagaing Region, to commemorate the 79th Martyrs' Day, according to the Shwebo Township Strike Force. Ethnic Armed Organizations Sources indicate that Lieutenant General Saw Baw Kyaw Hla, who served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), has been elected as the Chief of Staff of the KNLA. Chinland Defence Force (CDF-Hakha) Chairman told Mizzima that Lieutenant Colonel Zaw Zaw Aung, commander of Police Battalion 14, and his personal officer were killed in an urban shooting incident that occurred on the morning of July 17 in Hakha town, Chin State. Two civilians were killed and injured in airstrikes carried out by the military junta on July 14 and 16 in Loikaw and Phasaung townships, Karenni State, according to the Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC). Military Council The Russian Ministry of Defence announced that Russian and Myanmar military council special forces conducted a joint military exercise codenamed "Tropical Storm" from July 6 to 17 at the National Defence University in Naypyidaw. U Khin Ri, the speaker of the junta's sham Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, told Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur during a meeting in Naypyidaw yesterday that the military council parliament wishes to increase engagement with the Indian parliament in all sectors, including legislation. In Shan State, loans totaling 1.7 billion kyats have been disbursed to 85 entrepreneurs, and those wishing to start businesses can contact the relevant authorities, according to the Deputy Director of the SME Department. A delegation led by Union Minister Tin Aung San, under the military junta, visited India from July 13 to 17 to attend the 5th BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs' Conclave held in New Delhi, India. Union Minister of Education Dr. Cho Cho Sein urged for the implementation of digital education platforms or video files for teaching in remote areas.