Five civilians killed by airstrikes in Magway Region
A total of five civilians were killed and at least 13 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Chatkan village of Pauk Township, Magway Region, on Tuesday, according to local humanitarian aid groups. Pauk, located 130 miles (209 km) north of the region’s capital Magway, is partially controlled by the People’s Defense Force (PDF).
“One of the bombs landed on a shop, killing five people instantly. Three of the injured civilians are in critical condition,” a humanitarian aid worker in Chatkan told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed that at least 10 rounds of airstrikes were carried out by three fighter jets that took off from the Magway Air Force Base.
No fighting between the PDF and regime forces was reported in Pauk’s Chatkan village before the airstrikes occurred. The PDF claimed that it killed 18 regime soldiers in Pauk’s Thichauk village on Feb. 4. Nearly 5,000 Pauk residents have been forced to flee their homes due to airstrikes and a counteroffensive launched by regime forces on Feb. 4.
Regime ‘not fully’ in control of Mandalay’s Mogok town
Residents of Mogok Township in Mandalay Region told DVB that the Naypyidaw has been unable to take full control to administer Mogok town since it was handed over to them by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Nov. 28, as part of a China-brokered ceasefire deal. Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, was seized by the TNLA in July 2024.
“I saw that police have been deployed to the town’s entrance gate, but the administration has not yet begun operating,” a Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The PDF has continued to carry out attacks against regime forces outside of Mogok town. An unknown number of regime staff reportedly arrived in Mogok to set up its new administration on Jan. 19.
Another Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces have looted and sealed off homes allegedly belonging to PDF members. No more residents have had to flee their homes since fighting between the PDF and regime forces has spread to the outskirts of the town since the handover in November, according to residents.
Yangon residents complain about this year’s Yegyaw Festival
Residents of Pazundaung Township, Yangon Region, and nearby areas have complained to the local regime administration for starting the annual Yegyaw festival today – nine months before it usually takes place. Named after Yegyaw road, the festival used to be held during Thadingyut, or the festival of lights, every October. Buddhists celebrate Thadingyut annually to mark the end of Buddhist Lent.
“This [Yegyaw festival] causes traffic and a lot of problems for the township’s residents. Festival attendees, as well as the vendors, leave large amounts of trash behind [on the street]. Residents, especially elders, are also uncomfortable with the loud noise from the festival,” a Pazundaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Last year, the Yegyaw festival was held in Pazundaung Oct. 1-7.
The regime administration in Pazaundaung resumed the Yegyaw festival in 2024 after a five-year hiatus since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2021 military coup. It will begin today, as a part of Burma’s 79th Union Day celebrations on Feb. 12, and will end on Feb. 17. Yangon residents told DVB that other festivals will begin, mostly at pagodas, in South Okkalapa, North Dagon, and South Dagon townships tomorrow.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Maungdaw Township residents told DVB that the Arakan Army (AA) Public Health Department is raising awareness about the spread of Nipah virus along the Burma-Bangladesh border, which came under its control after it seized Maungdaw, located 96 miles (156 km) northwest of the state capital Sittwe, in December 2024.
The AA claims that prevention is the only way to combat the virus since no treatment is available and healthcare in AA-controlled areas remains weak. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Feb. 6 that one woman died after contracting Nipah virus in northern Bangladesh last month.
CHINLAND—The Chinland Council announced on Monday that at least 200 regime troops have been killed during fighting in Falam Township, located 68 miles (109 km) north of the state capital Hakha, since October. Over 50 airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force have been reported in Falam over the last four months.
An unknown quantity of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment have been seized from regime forces, according to the Chinland Council. No casualties have been reported by Chin resistance or regime forces. The other faction of the resistance, the Chin Brotherhood, seized Falam in April.
SAGAING—Residents in southern Banmauk Township staged a protest on Monday demanding the right to mine for gold from the National Unity Government, which reportedly began gold mining in areas under its control in December 2023. Banmauk is located 235 miles (378 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
A resident told DVB that the NUG Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation “only gives permits to their cronies.” A gold mining business must pay one viss (1.63 kg) of gold and 1.5 billion MMK ($384,000 USD) in taxes monthly to the NUG starting in March 2024, according to Banmauk residents.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 3,885 MMK)
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