Folks, so many developments have been observed in the past two weeks. Daw Aung San Suu Kyi was reportedly moved from Nay Pyi Taw prison to an unknown location to begin with. Her aide Vice President Henry Van Thio has also been removed from his position in the military council, and rumor has it he has been kept under house arrest. The regime’s second-in-command General Soe Win has not been in the public eye after the drone attack earlier this month. Read all about it in this week’s update.
Internal Politics
- Kokang’s MNDAA executed its commanders and soldiers
On April 24, the MNDAA (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army) announced the execution of a 36-year-old district commander and two soldiers in Laukkai, northern Shan State, before the public. Alongside the death sentences, seven soldiers, including two lieutenant commanders, received prison terms. The district commander, condemned to death, abused his authority by holding two Burmese drivers, over 10 Chinese nationals, and six Vietnamese hostages between July and September 2023. Two of the Chinese hostages were reportedly killed. Additionally, two soldiers from the support department and Brigade-311 were accused of stealing and selling weapons. According to a statement in Chinese by the Kokang Army, the death penalty was justified due to involvement in deadly kidnappings. A Lauk Kai resident mentioned that the execution took place in Tong Cham Ward amidst a crowd. This marks the first instance of Kokang troops receiving death sentences in Lauk Kai following the 1027 operation.
- The regime’s new year amnesty includes only 4% of political prisoners
The Political Prisoners Network of Myanmar (PPNM) reported that out of the 3,303 prisoners granted amnesty by the military council on the first day of the Myanmar New Year, only 101 are political prisoners, amounting to a mere four percent. Ko Thaik Tun Oo, head of the Political Prisoners Network, noted that not a single political prisoner was released in Sagaing, where the resistance groups hold significant influence. Those released under the amnesty are warned that if they reoffend, they will serve the remainder of their sentences under Section 401 (1). Ko Thaik Tun Oo criticized the military council for selectively excluding those who supported the resistance forces from the amnesty. Activists for political prisoners pointed out that those granted amnesty were primarily individuals nearing their release dates. As of April 18, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), over 26,534 people have been arrested, with nearly 10,000 receiving prison sentences.
- DASSK and U Win Myint moved from Nay Pyi Taw prison
According to the local Eleven news agency’s report, State Counselor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, both serving long-term sentences, were transferred from Nay Pyi Taw prison to high-security residences on April 16. When RFA reached out to U Kyaw Htwe, a member of the National League for Democracy (NLD) Central Working Committee, it was revealed that four security cars were dispatched to move her on Tuesday. She was then escorted by two special cars, leaving behind all her belongings. U Kyaw Htwe mentioned that the destination of her transfer remains undisclosed. Subsequent to the news, the VOA Burmese contacted General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the regime, who confirmed the prison transfer, citing the intention to alleviate the summer heat. However, he refrained from disclosing the new location. Despite claims by the regime regarding Daw Aung San Suu Kyi’s relocation, Nay Pyi Taw Prison continues to accept parcels for her. On April 22, the military council arranged for food and books requested by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi to be delivered to Nay Pyi Taw prison. According to a source close to her lawyer, the items were received by prison staff and police. The source stated, “(Daw Aung San Suu Kyi) is no longer in Nay Pyi Taw Prison. I am uncertain about her current whereabouts, but she remains within Nay Pyi Taw.”
- Speculations surround the absence of Lt Gen Soe Win from public eye
Lieutenant General Soe Win, the second-in-command of the military council, has been conspicuously absent from public sight for more than 20 days since April 3. His absence raised eyebrows particularly during the military council’s monthly meeting on April 22, where his non-attendance was noted. The disappearance of Lt. Gen. Soe Win coincided with the attack on the Southeast Regional Command in Mawlamyine, Mon State, by a drone on April 8 and 9. The Alpha Bats Drone Force claimed responsibility for the attack, which reportedly affected several senior officers, including Lt. Gen. Soe Win. Political analyst U Than Soe Naing told RFA that Lt. Gen. Soe Win sustained injuries in the drone strike, leading to his absence from public engagements. Despite inquiries, General Zaw Min Tun asserted that Lt. Gen. Soe Win continues to fulfill security and defense duties regularly. Lt. Gen. Soe Win’s last appearance was at the Army graduation ceremony in Ba Htoo on April 3.
- Karen border guard force leaders accused of associating with money laundering rings
According to a review article published on April 22 by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), leaders of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) are allegedly linked to Chinese money laundering syndicates in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, along the Thai-Myanmar border. The individuals implicated in these activities include BGF leader Colonel Saw Chit Thu, Lieutenant Colonel Saw Moat Thon, and Major Tin Win. The article further claims that the BGF, besides providing security, has facilitated electricity and internet access for these criminal operations in Shwe Kokko, Myawaddy Township. Led by Saw Chit Thu, numerous money laundering gangs are said to operate within BGF-controlled areas, focusing on maximizing profits. It is alleged that the BGF receives a substantial annual income of US$192 million from the Shwe Kokko project, where numerous money laundering activities take place, with 50 percent of this sum reportedly going to the military. Authored by Jason Tower, USIP’s country director, and Priscilla A. Clapp, senior advisor, the article concludes by clarifying that the views expressed therein represent those of the authors and not necessarily of USIP itself.
International Affairs
- UN high commissioner voiced concerns on Rakhine State
Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, has expressed deep concern over the escalating violence in Rakhine State, emphasizing the threat it poses to civilian security. He called upon the international community to exert pressure on all parties involved to prevent another wave of appalling torture and killings. Turk warned of the heightened risk of further bloodshed as clashes intensified between the military council forces and the Arakan Army (AA), exacerbating tensions between local Arakanese and Rohingya communities. Following the military’s clearance operations in 2017, over a million Rohingya fled to Bangladesh, with thousands more seeking refuge in Malaysia and Indonesia annually. In Rakhine State, ongoing fighting between the military’s troops and AA since November 2023 has affected hundreds of people across 15 out of 17 townships, displacing over 300,000 individuals, as reported by the United Nations High Commissioner’s Office.
- Thailand proposes ASEAN troika for Myanmar peace dialogues
According to the Bangkok Post, the Thai government has proposed the involvement of three or more ASEAN member states in negotiations with the Myanmar military council to facilitate peace restoration in Myanmar. Nikorndej Balankura, spokesperson for Thailand’s foreign ministry, revealed that the offer was extended through ASEAN’s current chair, Laos, to establish a three-member coalition known as the troika. This coalition would comprise Indonesia, the previous ASEAN chair, Laos, the current chair, and Malaysia, the upcoming chair, with their respective foreign ministers leading the negotiations. Other interested ASEAN members may also join the troika. Nikondet Balankura stated that Thailand would host the talks, aimed at fostering dialogue between the military council and revolutionary groups in Myanmar. He emphasized that Myanmar’s current crisis impacts not only Thailand but also all neighboring nations, prompting Thailand’s intervention efforts for peace. Nikondet Balankura, speaking on behalf of the Thai Foreign Ministry, affirmed Thailand’s readiness to facilitate negotiations if accepted by the involved parties.
- Bangladesh repatriates the regime’s defectors and exchanged detainees
According to a report by Bangladesh’s bdnews on April 25, 288 military council troops and border guards who had fled to Bangladesh have been repatriated. They were handed over to a military navy vessel in Bangladesh’s territorial waters on the morning of April 25. The report also mentions that on April 24, a vessel dispatched by the military council transported 173 detained Bangladeshis back to Myanmar. Bangladesh Foreign Minister Hasan Mamat stated in a press conference on April 19 that 285 military council members seeking refuge in Bangladesh would be exchanged for 150 Bangladeshi citizens trapped in Myanmar. These military personnel sought refuge in Bangladesh during the fighting in the north of Maungdaw Township from February 4 to 10. On February 15, the Bangladeshi government repatriated over three hundred employees and family members to the military council.
- UN envoy: over 1,000 Rohingya forced into Myanmar military
Tom Andrews, the United Nations special rapporteur for human rights in Myanmar, revealed on April 24 that over 1,000 Rohingya youth were forcibly recruited into the Myanmar military after the military council activated mandatory military service last February. Participating in an online discussion hosted by Southeast Asia Junction, a Thailand-based Southeast Asia Studies Center, Andrews highlighted the plight of Rohingya who were banned from traveling and unable to escape. The army has consistently denied forcibly recruiting Rohingyas, insisting that only citizens are compelled to serve. However, Andrews, drawing from his observations, condemned the unimaginable experience of Rohingya being coerced into the army, particularly considering the military’s history of genocide against their own people. He denounced the move as particularly heinous, given that it was the military’s actions that forced millions of Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh and endure harsh conditions. Furthermore, Andrews pointed out during the discussion that the military service law targeted young people from across Myanmar, as they are leading the anti-coup movement.
Business Matters
- EU extends Myanmar sanctions amidst persistent rights violations
The European Union (EU) announced on April 26 the extension of sanctions against Myanmar for another year, citing the lack of progress in the country’s situation. The sanctions, which were due to expire, have now been prolonged until April 30, 2025, as per the EU statement. The decision comes in response to ongoing suppression of democratic efforts and escalating human rights violations in Myanmar. The EU sanctions target 103 individuals, including Burmese military leaders, and encompass 21 organizations, with restrictions on controlling their assets and prohibiting any financial or economic transactions that may lead to profit. Additionally, individuals on the sanctions list are barred from traveling to EU countries.
- A new beer brand with alleged ties to the military
A notorious Burmese beer brand owned by the military, highly targeted in the public boycott of military products, has reportedly launched a new beer called Keen since early April this year. This release coincides with the military struggling to make profits with Myanmar beer, as beverage shops refrain from stocking it due to decreased demand. The new beer, purportedly produced and distributed by Super Six International (SSI), seems to have affiliation with the military-owned Myanmar Brewery Limited (MBL) factory in Mingaladon Township. While SSI is registered as a beverage company according to Directorate of Investments and Companies (DICA) records from October 2022, details about its ownership and potential military ties remain undisclosed. The new brand has been available for sale in liquor stores and bars since early April, ahead of the Thingyan festival, prompting some anti-coup activists to call for a boycott. Mike, an official of Blood Money campaign, expressed intentions to investigate any military involvement with the new beer, warning that if confirmed, it would be added to the list of boycotted items.
- The regime revealed new border trade route after the losing Myawaddy
The Ministry of Trade and Commerce of the regime announced on April 11 the introduction of a new trading route between Ranong, Thailand and Yangon, using the container system. This decision comes in the wake of the losing Myawaddy border due to ongoing conflicts. The establishment of container ship trade along the Yangon-Kawthaung-Ranong coastal route marks a significant departure from previous practices. The military council emphasized that this represents a fresh approach to border trade, urging exporters and importers to adhere to the prescribed procedures. With the Myawady route inaccessible to container trucks, exporters speculate that this new allowance is primarily for exports. The Kawthaung-Ranong maritime border trade primarily involves the importation of cement, fertilizer, gasoline, diesel oil, and industrial raw materials into Myanmar, while Thailand exports various aquatic products and oil palm pulp. Data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the regime indicates that the trade volume of the Ranong-Kawthaung border during the 2023-2024 financial year approached nearly two hundred million US dollars over eleven months.
- Closure of India-Myanmar border crossing affects trade and movement
Residents of Rikhawdar town in Chin State, Myanmar, reported the closure of the bridge connecting Mizoram, India, since April 17. As of 5pm on April 19, the Assam Rifles, under the guidance of the Indian central government, halted trade and movement along the India-Myanmar Border No. 2 Trade Route. The ongoing conflicts in Chin and Rakhine states have led people to rely heavily on goods imported from India. The administration chief of Rikhawdar stated, “The closure commenced on April 17 and intensified due to elections on the 19, becoming complete after 5pm. This closure is presumed to be a result of the central government’s termination of the Free Movement Regime.” Despite opposition from the Mizoram state government, control over the international border rests with the central government. This closure, intended to mitigate conflict risks, is expected to significantly impact individuals requiring medical treatment and the daily lives of border residents.
Humanitarian Affairs
- Diarrhea outbreak claims over 80 lives in IDP camps in Rakhine State
Refugee aid workers and residents in Rakhine state reported to Myanmar Now that more than 80 people have died from diarrhea in the first three weeks of April in Rohingya refugee camps and villages in Sittwe. The fatalities occurred in IDP camps and villages such as Aung Mingalar, Bu May, Da Pai, Basara, Ohn Taw Gyi, and Ohn Taw Shae, attributed to unclean water and poor sanitation. Aid workers expressed concern over the rising death toll due to inadequate medical treatment. The reported death toll has reached 86, with nearly 10 elderly individuals among the victims. According to a refugee helper, the recurring diarrhea outbreak persists due to limited access to medical facilities, exacerbated by irregular cleaning efforts by NGO organizations in the camps. Moreover, in most areas of Rakhine State, including Sittwe, restrictions on the free transportation of medicine and food further hinder relief efforts.
- Over 80,000 homes destroyed by the regime’s arson attacks since the coup
On April 15, the Data For Myanmar group, which tracks burnings, reported that more than 80,000 homes have been burned and destroyed across Myanmar in the over three years since the military coup. According to the statement, as of the end of March 2024, a total of 83,746 homes had been destroyed by arson perpetrated by the military council army. While the number of house burnings decreased after August 2023, there has been a resurgence since December. In March 2024 alone, nearly 30,000 homes were burned down, with 1,851 in Sagaing and 628 in Mandalay, according to the report.
- More than 450 houses burned down by the military in Sagaing
Residents of Sagaing Region villages have reported that since the second week of April, military council troops have burned down five villages in the northern part of Kalay Township. Between April 8 and 23, over 450 homes were destroyed, with approximately 200 in Pyin Khon Gyi village, 13 in Hantha village, 31 in Kan Tha village, and about 50 in Yauk Cho Kwin village. On April 22, a local resident, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, informed RFA that the military continued to burn down Mai Nwe village in Tedim Township, adjacent to Kalay Township. The troops, allegedly responsible for patrolling villages and setting houses ablaze, were reportedly stationed in Pyin Khon Gyi village as of the latest update.
- More than 4000 residents fled in Thandwe due to the intensified clashes
In Rakhine state, a fierce battle erupted between the Arakan Army (AA) and the regime in Thandwe Township on the morning of April 26. Local residents reported that the military council’s forces were fiercely resisting with heavy naval weapons near the Shwe Hlay Bridge, Pale Kyun, and Maung Shwe Thway. Additionally, naval gunfire was reported near Tha Byu Chai and Gaw beach. Due to the ongoing fighting, over 4,000 residents from villages such as Shwedoe, Thandwe Township, Su Bote Hill, Hpayar Hmaw, Yay Kauk, Payit, Daw Mya and Kyaung Kone have fled to safety. This confrontation follows reports from April 25 of warships and helicopters attacking the vicinity of Shwe Hlay village in Thandwe Township.
Attacks on the Junta’s Lackeys & Assets
- Defense Service Academy attacked with several injured in Pyin Oo Lwin
On April 14, at least two explosions reportedly rocked the compound of the regime’s Defense Service Academy (DSA) in Pyin Oo Lwin, Mandalay Region. The incident occurred around 9:30 pm, as two free-flight rockets struck buildings, resulting in 19 injuries, including two high-ranking officials. Significantly, the explosions coincided with the arrival of coup leader Min Aung Hlaing in the town for the Thingyan vacation. The following day, Min Aung Hlaing conspicuously abstained from attending the water festival ceremony, with only his wife observed participating in the traditional event.
- Regime’s airbases targeted in Myitkyina and Tada-U
On April 17 and 19, the resistance forces launched offensives against junta-controlled airbases in Tada-U, Mandalay Region, and Myitkyina, Kachin State, respectively.In the early hours of April 17, the Freedom Revolution Force (FRF) unleashed ten free-flight rockets at the Tada-U airbase, causing substantial damage to a flight garage housing six fighter jets. The attack was coordinated between FRF, the Kyaukse Revolution Army (KRA) and the Sintkine PDF. Tada-U airbase holds immense strategic significance for the junta. Likewise, on the morning of April 19, the Northern Brotherhood-PDF launched ten rockets at the Nantpaung airbase, situated just west of Myitkyina City in Kachin State.
- Three men killed for forced conscription in Bago & Mandalay
On April 19, three men from Bago and Mandalay regions were targeted and killed for their involvement in enforcing the conscription law. U Naing Aung Zin and U Thaung Naing Oo, both hundred-household administrators from Yetashae township, Bago Region, were killed near Natsinkone Village by gunmen. Both of them were actively conducting recruitment for mandatory military service. On the same day, U Maung Soe, another ward administrator from Nahtoegyi township, Mandalay Region, was also shot dead.
- Locals arrested following attack on Naypyitaw airbase
On April 23, seven youths from two villages near the regime’s Alar airbase in Naypyitaw were arrested. Prior to the arrests, the Alar airbase had reportedly come under rocket attack. Subsequently, regime soldiers conducted raids on the nearby villages, seizing one individual from each household. Seven young men were detained, while the others were released.
- Regime’s major shot dead in Madaya, Mandalay Region
On April 24, Major Thet Naing Soe, a township member of the State Administration Council (SAC), was fatally shot in a teashop in Madaya, Mandalay Region. The major had been transferred to Madaya four months prior and had been involved in leading numerous military offensives, acts of arson, and the killing of civilians.Following the incident, the regime’s forces conducted a comprehensive inspection, blocking several roads in the town. However, there have been no reports of any arrests of suspicious individuals.
- Dalan Maung Oo shot dead in Kyimyindaing tsp, Yangon
On April 27, Dalan Maung Oo, one of the individuals responsible for the Pan Pin Ni murders in December 2021, was shot dead in Kyimyindaing Township, Yangon. The Pan Pin Ni incident, which occurred on December 5, 2021, involved a regime military truck deliberately ramming into a peaceful demonstration on Panpinkyi Road, Kyimyindaing Township. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of at least four people and left several others critically injured. Maung Oo played a role in this act by tipping off the military about the protest. Operation Flame (OF) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Maung Oo.
Arbitrary Arrests, Killings & Violence
- Reverend Dr. Hkalam Sam Son still missing after re-arrest
Dr. Hkalam Sam Son, advisor to the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC), was released from Myitkyina Prison on April 17 after being pardoned by the regime. However, he has since gone missing after being taken back by troops on the same night. The family has not been informed of the reasons for his re-arrest. General Zaw Min Tun, the spokesman for the junta, told the BBC on April 19 that Dr. Hkalam Sam Son was not re-arrested but called to discuss peace. However, his whereabouts remain unknown. Dr. Hkalam Sam Son was initially arrested by the junta’s men at Mandalay International Airport on December 4, 2022. He was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison under various charges, including Section 52(a) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, Article 17(1) of the Unlawful Association Communication Law, and Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.
- Regime killed five and injured several following protest in Myitkyina Prison
On April 18, a protest erupted at Myitkyina Prison in Myitkyina City, Kachin State, resulting in four inmates killed and eight others injured. According to sources close to the prison, the protest was suppressed by prison authorities and regime troops who opened fire on the inmates. The protest followed the release of 42 inmates from Myitkyina Prison on April 17, the first day of the Myanmar New Year, with permission from the regime council. However, only three of those released were political prisoners. In response to the perceived unfairness of the pardons, inmates protested in the prison on April 18. On the evening of April 19, the regime announced that four inmates had been killed and eight injured in the suppression of the protest. The injured were transferred to Myitkyina Hospital, but their names have not been released, and it remains unclear whether any of them were political prisoners. Tragically, another prisoner died on April 21 while receiving medical treatment.
- Two women arrested after their husbands fled conscription in Nattalin tsp, Bago Region
In Nattalin Township, located in the western part of Bago Region, two women from the central town of Tarpon were arrested from their homes by soldiers on April 19. This occurred after their husbands fled conscription when the regime called for military service. The regime’s soldiers stated that the women would only be released if their husbands appeared in person.
- Sagaing Student Union’s former secretary sentenced to 17 years in prison
Ma Lwin Cho Myint, a final-year electrical engineering student and former Secretary General of the Sagaing University of Technology Student Union, was sentenced to 17 years in prison by a regime court in Mandalay Region on April 23. Family members reported that the sentencing was based on provisions of the anti-terrorism law. Ma Lwin Cho Myint was arrested by junta troops at her home on May 23, 2023. Additionally, a month after her arrest, her mother, Daw Cho Nwe San, along with her uncle and cousin, were also arrested and charged under Section 505(a) of the Penal Code.
- About 150 people arrested roadside in Magway Region for conscription
Within four days, regime troops in Magway Region arrested about 150 individuals under the guise of military enlistment, with nearly sixty pedestrians detained in the town of Yenanchaung on April 25 alone. Beginning at seven o’clock in the morning, soldiers stopped pedestrians and arbitrarily arrested them, resulting in nearly sixty individuals being taken into custody by the end of the operation. In Natmauk Township, similar arrests have been ongoing since April 22, with approximately 100 residents detained within the same four-day period. These arrests are purportedly part of efforts to fill mandatory military service batch (2).
- Writer beaten up and abducted by regime troops in Gyobingauk tsp, Bago Region
On April 25, at 9 pm, regime troops raided the home of writer Lin Nyoh Thway, who resides in Thaekone Ward, Gyobingauk Township, Bago Region. Approximately 40 soldiers were involved in the operation. Lin Nyoh Thway, aged 39, was forcibly taken away, and his current whereabouts are unknown. The soldiers cut off electricity to the house and surrounded it while conducting a thorough search, during which they confiscated the phones of family members. The writer, whose real name is Ko Kyaw Thu Lwin, had previously participated in the revolution but had retired due to poor health. Despite efforts by friends and family, they have been unable to determine where he was taken.
- Regime attacked hospital in Mintat tsp, Chin State
On the night of April 25, the regime’s air force bombed Mintat Township, targeting Wammathu Hospital, located more than 20 miles north of the city. At around 8:00 pm, two bombs struck the hospital, killing two people instantly. Two others succumbed to their injuries later, while the hospital itself was reportedly engulfed in flames and destroyed. Before the coup in 2021, Wammathu Hospital functioned as a district-level facility with only one military doctor. However, following the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the military coup, health workers who participated in the movement joined the hospital. With the assistance of CDM doctors from Mandalay, the hospital gradually expanded its capabilities to handle major injuries and surgeries. It was serving not only local residents but also people from Sagaing and Magway regions, becoming a vital healthcare provider in the area before the regime’s bombing on the facility.
Armed Resistance
- Clash intensified in Naungcho tsp, Shan-north while NUG defense minister visited MDY-PDF
On the night of April 14, the MDY-PDF initiated gunfire at the Defense Service Academy in Pyin Oo Lwin, where the coup leader was present, leading to widespread exchange of fires in the city. The following day, a joint deployment of MDY-PDF and the Taang National Liberation Army (TNLA) occurred, sparking conflict in Naung Cho Township, located ten miles north of Pyin Oo Lwin. Subsequently, the regime station situated in Thayetkone village came under attack, and the skirmishes persisted until April 25. Notably, the National Unity Government (NUG) released a photo depicting NUG Defense Minister U Yee Mon alongside the Mandalay People’s Defense Force on the front line.
- KIA & KPDF seized regime station in Hpakant tsp, Kachin State
In the early hours of April 23, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Kachin People’s Defense Force (PDF) achieved a significant victory by seizing the regime’s military station in Sal Zin Village, Hpakant Township, Kachin State. The offensive commenced on April 9, when allied forces launched an attack on the regime’s police station in the village, situated 40 miles southwest of Hpakant Town and connecting with Sagaing’s Homalin. On that day, 23 police officers surrendered and deserted the station.Subsequently, on April 23, two additional stations, manned by 70 troops, fell under the control of the allied forces. The regime responded with airstrikes on April 20 and 21, attempting to counter the advancing allied forces.
- Chin forces on mission to capture Kyindwe town with AA’s help
On April 23, the Chin Brotherhood Force announced a coalition effort by Chin resistance groups to launch an offensive aimed at capturing Kyindwe Town, with coordination from the Arakan Army (AA) in Kanpetlet Township, Chin State. The mission, initiated in early March, has seen escalating clashes, particularly in the past month, following the regime’s reinforcement of its troops. Kyindwe Town is situated at the border of Magway Region, Chin State, and Rakhine State. The Chin forces had previously attempted to gain control in December 2023 but were forced to retreat due to the regime’s aerial response. The Chin Brotherhood Force comprises various organizations, including the Chin National Organization, Chin National Council, Chin Defense Force – Kanpetlet, Chin Defense Force – Matupi, Zomi Federal Union, and Maraland Territorial Council.
- KNLA & co seized regime’s station in Dawei tsp, Tanintharyi Region
On the morning of April 24, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied resistance forces reportedly seized control of the regime’s Maw Hta Station, situated in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Region. Approximately 40 regime troops evacuated the station shortly after the offensive commenced. The resistance successfully confiscated over 30 weapons and munitions in the process. Maw Hta Station, positioned near the Thai border, marks the second station overtaken by the resistance forces, following the capture of Kyaukhtu in January. The Tanintharyi Region has witnessed heightened clashes between the regime’s army and the resistance forces, with conflicts intensifying in eight out of ten townships within the region.
- Battles broke out, thousands displaced in Yedashe tsp, Bago Region
In Yedashae Township, Bago Region, situated just 50 miles from Naypyitaw, a series of clashes have occurred as a result of the regime’s advancements, leading to the displacement of thousands of civilians. Since April 16, the junta’s troops have launched multiple offensives utilizing drones, airstrikes, and heavy artillery barrages. Casualties have been reported on both sides, with at least eight civilians losing their lives in the conflict. Consequently, residents from 25 villages have been forced to flee their homes, adding to the growing number of displaced individuals.
- KIA reopened the old gate of Laiza after 10 years
After more than ten years, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) successfully reopened the entrance gate of Laiza, its headquarters on April 25. A local resident of Laiza described the recapture of the gate, previously occupied by regime troops, as a major military success. With the regime troops retreating following several KIA offensives, the KIA was able to reopen the old road, once threatened by regime forces. KIA Lt. Gen. Gun Mao emphasized the significance of this achievement on his Facebook page, stating, ‘While it may not be time for ultimate celebrations, the reopening of the Linza Road has provided a sense of freedom for local residents after more than 10 years. We will continue our efforts so that the entire country can experience the taste of freedom.
- KNU captured regime’s battalion unit in Hpapun tsp, Karen State
The KNU Brigade 5 announced on April 25 that the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied resistance forces captured the regime’s 434th Battalion in Hpapun Township, Karen State. There was also a report of a significant seizure of weapons and munitions belonging to the junta during the battle, though the exact inventory was not disclosed. Since March 28, Hpapun town has been under the control of the KNLA and joint forces. Hpapun serves as the focal point for the activities of KNU Brigade 5 and is strategically significant as a military base for the regime.
Sources: Myanmar Now, Khit Thit Media, RFA Burmese, VOA Burmese, Myaelatt Athan, DVB Burmese
