National Unity Government completes construction of 10 underground hospitals, earthquakes reported, military operations progress

The National Unity Government (NUG) has completed the construction of a total of 10 underground hospitals across Myanmar, Dr. Daw Shwe Pone, Union Minister of Health of the NUG, told Mizzima in an exclusive interview. According to a statement from the National Unity Government (NUG), Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management (MOHADM), earthquakes of magnitude 5.2 and 4.1 occurred on the morning of July 17, centered near Naungcho Township in Shan State and Sintaw Township in Mandalay Region. The National Unity Government, Ministry of Defence, announced that it had captured 9 terrorist group facilities in June and killed 644 terrorist soldiers. Revolutionary Movements It is known that the number of displaced persons due to conflict in the Tanintharyi region has increased to over 83,700 in 2026, and the displaced persons are facing difficulties in long-term survival, health, and education. The Anya Myay United Force announced today (July 17) that the military forces, which entered Myain Township in Magway Region on a military expedition, tortured and killed a local man from Warinchai village and ransacked houses. While discussions on the crisis in Myanmar are being pushed forward in Bangkok, Thailand expects that the ASEAN special envoy will be allowed to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi, who is being detained, during their upcoming visit. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) are particularly concerned about the news that two boats carrying over 500 Rohingya may sink off the coast of Ayeyarwady, IOM announced yesterday. The Karen Peace Support Network (KPSN) announced that the military junta launched airstrikes on the area under the control of Brigade 5 of the Karen National Union (KNU) Phapoon District (Mutraw District), destroying school buildings and houses. Justice For Myanmar (JFM) announced that a network linked to the military, led by Khin Thiri Thet Mon, daughter of military leader Min Aung Hlaing, attempted to launder approximately US$48 million worth of 800 kilograms of gold through Thailand, Laos, and Hong Kong, a plan that was uncovered a few months after the military coup in Myanmar. The Network of Political Prisoners of Myanmar (PPNM) announced that the incident in which two convicted criminals, who were on death row, collectively attacked political prisoner Ko Arkar Min Ko at the Molaik Prison in Kale Township, Kale District, Sagaing Region, was facilitated and ignored by prison authorities. Fortify Rights urged on July 15 that democratic organizations, including Karenni revolutionary forces in Myanmar, should establish war crime investigation units that can freely investigate war crimes and violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Ethnic Armed Organizations It has been reported that the Mon State Revolutionary Army (MSRF) launched a guerrilla attack on the guard post of Infantry Regiment 31, based in Khoza Town, southern Ye Township, Mon State. The Jamestown Foundation, a US-based defense policy think tank, announced yesterday that the Arakan Army (AA), which controls most townships in Rakhine State, is expanding its military operations to build a buffer zone and has become the most powerful ethnic armed organization in Myanmar. It has been learned from ground military sources that the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and the People's Defence Force (PDF) attacked a column from Light Infantry Division 13 that encroached on KNU's police camp and Kyun Hnaht Pin south of Myawaddy on the Thai-Myanmar border, resulting in casualties including the deputy commander of Light Infantry Regiment 556. The KNU released record photos announcing that the anniversary ceremony of the formation of the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO), a subordinate force of the Karen National Union (KNU), was held at the KNDO headquarters. It is known that the Arakan National Organisation (ULA) / Arakan Army (AA) continues to provide food assistance to flood-affected villages in the townships of Buu Thae Dong in Arakan State. The KNU Central announced that the terrorist army launched airstrikes in Moun Township, Bago Region, killing two civilians and damaging two market stalls. Military Council The military junta issued a new announcement dated July 6, stating that under Section 167 (1) of the Maritime Customs Law, individuals importing goods from abroad without an import license could face imprisonment of up to 3 years, depending on the type of goods. According to military news outlets, the city of Thantlang in northern Chin State, which has been alternately controlled by the Chinland Defence Force and the military since 2023, has been completely recaptured. U Ko Ko Lwin, the junta-controlled Minister of Electricity and Energy, said that calculations and plans are underway to determine an appropriate generation mix based on domestic electricity and energy resources. U Aye Kyaw, Deputy Minister of the junta-controlled Ministry of Electricity and Energy, said that there are plans to proceed with the Manipur Hydropower Project in Kale Township, Kale District, Sagaing Region, if there are companies willing to cooperate on a JV/BOT basis when the region is peaceful and stable. U Htun Lu, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Transport, said that applications from individuals, entrepreneurs, or companies and organizations for the lease and use of port land and the construction of jetties to allow fuel tankers to dock in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region, will be reviewed and processed. It is known that coup leader Min Aung Hlaing attended and inaugurated the opening ceremony of the Institute of Nursing (Naypyidaw) and the Institutes of Nursing in the 14 regions and states.