Joe Kumbun explains why the victorious AA has halted its conquests in Rakhine, and three townships remain under junta control—for now.

Visiting Magwe, a resistance stronghold, the junta boss claimed his planned poll has international backing; he urged troops and locals to ‘do their duty’ and vote.

Locals fear fresh fighting and regime airstrikes, as public anger grows over mediator China’s silence on civilian casualties.

Karenni State’s Interim Executive Council said the airstrike was the deadliest ever in the state and urged global action in response to the junta’s war crimes.