Myanmar Situation: July sees clash between junta's pressure and resistance's challenges

(July 2, 2026) Mizzima. || Looking at the overall situation in Myanmar on the second day of July, it can be seen that the challenges of the revolutionary forces in expanding territorial control and building governance mechanisms are reaching a more prominent turning point, along with the military junta's military and political pressures. While the military junta is carrying out the demolition of historical statues of General Aung San in big cities like Yangon, residents in the border town of Tachileik are facing social and economic hardships along with natural disasters. On the other hand, demands for establishing justice and strengthening unity among the revolutionary forces are becoming widespread, and the concerns of civil society organizations regarding the military junta's relations with the international community are also increasingly impacting the military and political landscape of early July. Local residents reported that the military junta's troops destroyed two bronze statues of General Aung San in the Town Ulla Kapa and Thaketa townships of Yangon Region on the night of July 1. Among the two bronze statues in Town Ulla Kapa Township, the one destroyed this time was the bronze statue of General Aung San on the Padetha market side within Sumangala Park, and it is reported that the demolition began after 10 PM last night. Similarly, the bronze statue of General Aung San erected in Mya Kan Thar Park in Thaketa Township was also destroyed by the military junta's troops around 11 PM on July 1, according to reports. In the central Myanmar region, it is reported from the Yo Alin Tan group that about 100 members of the military junta's troops, who departed from Artillery Regiment No. 368 based in Kyauk Htu town, Gangaw District, Magway Region, entered Pan San village this morning (July 2) and have taken up positions. Local sources in the area have urged residents of Pan San village and surrounding villages to travel and live with full military awareness and caution. The Arakan People's Revolutionary Government (APRG), which is gradually expanding its autonomous governance mechanisms in the controlled areas of Rakhine State, is now preparing to implement its own banking system, which is the foundation of its financial mechanisms in the region. According to the announcement, APRG is initially recruiting 26 banking professionals to operate the banking system, including three township administrators, three assistant township administrators, and 20 market affairs officers. The announcement states that applications for these positions are open from June 30 to August 11 to the Rakhine State Public Service Selection and Appointment Commission. Residents from villages around Shwegu town reported being blocked on their way to Shwegu town. A local resident said that on July 1, between Seethaw village and Seingan village, members of the KIA and allied forces blocked passage. The Chin People's Council/Chin People's Army (CPU/CPA) announced today (July 2) that hundreds of military junta soldiers were killed and prisoners of war, weapons, ammunition, and military equipment were captured during clashes that have been ongoing for nearly two months in the southern Chin State townships of Mindat and Kanpetlet. According to the CPU/CPA, the military junta's troops launched an offensive with thousands of troops and People's militias from the Yo region and Saw township of Magway Region into the Mindat and Kanpetlet regions starting on May 16, and the Yo Region Defense Force (YDF), Yo Army (YA), and allied forces jointly intercepted and counter-attacked these columns. Residents in Tachileik town, eastern Shan State, reported that flooding has occurred again in some urban wards since this morning (July 2) due to rising water levels in the Mae Sai River. Heavy rainfall since June 28, and mountain runoff from the Myoma River and Wam Mai have caused flooding in low-lying wards, including San Sai in Tachileik town, starting on July 1. After the water receded, flooding has occurred again today due to the rising water levels of the Mae Sai River. It is reported that justice has not yet been served for over six months in the case of sexual assault against a female comrade within Battalion 20 of the People's Defense Force (PDF) in the Yemathin District of Sagaing Region. On July 2, a total of 172 civil society organizations and revolutionary forces issued a joint statement calling for effective action on this matter. Twenty-five international organizations active on Myanmar issues expressed concern on July 1 regarding the US government's consideration of potential law enforcement cooperation with the Myanmar military junta to combat online scamming camps. The organizations stated that the news that US officials met with representatives of the Myanmar military government in Tokyo to discuss potential law enforcement cooperation in combating scamming camps is extremely concerning. Myra Dahgaypaw, a board member of the U.S. Campaign for Burma, said that scamming camps and the military junta have a mutually dependent relationship. She warned that cooperating with the administration of General Min Aung Hlaing would be assisting criminal enterprises that profit from operations that defraud billions of people in the US and around the world. A report released on Wednesday by a US-based think tank revealed that over 2 million soldiers have been killed or injured due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with Russian forces suffering the heaviest losses. In Muang District, Mukdahan Province, Thailand, this morning (July 2), a pickup truck driven by an 11-year-old boy collided with monks returning from alms collection, killing at least eight monks and injuring 18. The accident occurred at 11:55 AM near the entrance of Huai Sai village, on the road where the monks were walking. In summary, today's situation in Myanmar shows that the military junta, facing attrition on various fronts, is increasingly resorting to historical erasure and psychological warfare in urban areas. However, in controlled territories like Rakhine, the revolutionary government is gradually building governance mechanisms such as its own banking system.