Daily Stories from The Irrawaddy for 05/19/2026

The Irrawaddy — Myanmar Regime Deploys Starvation Strategy in Magwe Region

DAILY BRIEFING Tuesday, May 19, 2026 News Opinion Burmese Donate Myo Pyae Myanmar Regime Deploys Starvation Strategy in Magwe Region Tens of thousands flee their homes as troops launch an offensive after cutting food and medicine supplies to Pakokku District. Continue Reading The Irrawaddy Myanmar Military Builds New Pipeline to Recruit High School Students Analysts say the regime is building a new recruitment pipeline by tapping demand for education and jobs—conditions worsened by its own economic mismanagement. Continue Reading The Irrawaddy KIA Announces Shift to Defensive Strategy as Regime Troops Pour into Kachin State Ethnic army braces for battle across five townships after military recaptures key highway. Continue Reading Than N. Oo Myanmar’s Misunderstood SCEF Alliance Deserves Closer Attention Unlike past democratic alliances, the SCEF brings together ethnic armed organizations and Bamar-led resistance groups under a unified political and military structure. Continue Reading The Irrawaddy Myanmar Regime Tells TNLA to Surrender Another Four Towns In a fresh round of China-brokered talks, the military regime is demanding that the Ta’ang rebel group hand over Namtu, Monglon, Mongngawt and Namhkam. Continue Reading Kavi Chongkittavorn Will Myanmar’s ASEAN Gambit Work? Thailand is pushing to re-engage Myanmar through ASEAN, but deep divisions and lack of progress on the ground threaten to derail the effort. Continue Reading Support Press Freedom Independent journalism needs your support. Help us hold power to account. Donate Now Facebook · Twitter · Website © 2026 The Irrawaddy · Chiang Mai, Thailand Unsubscribe · Update preferences · Forward to a friend