Naypyidaw orders TNLA to surrender 4 towns in Shan State
Sources close to the military regime in Naypyidaw told DVB that its officials demanded that leaders of the ethnic Palaung Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) relinquish their control over northern Shan State’s Namhkam, Namtu, Mongngawt and Monglon towns, during a meeting between TNLA and the regime in Kunming, China, on May 12.
A regime official told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the TNLA refused to hand over the four towns, located 42-133 miles (67-214 km) north and west of the regional capital Lashio Township. But no demand was made for Namhsan and Manton, which are included in the designated Palaung Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) of northern Shan. Neither the regime in Naypyidaw nor the TNLA have commented on the meeting.
The TNLA signed a Chinese-brokered ceasefire agreement with the regime following the previous round of mediated talks in Kunming, China, on Oct. 28. One month later, the TNLA handed over Shan’s Momeik Township and Mandalay Region’s Mogok Township to the regime, whose forces recaptured Shan’s Hsipaw, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio towns from the TNLA during a counteroffensive last year. Read more
Min Aung Hlaing blames farmers for ‘failing’ yields
Agricultural experts in Burma criticized a speech by Min Aung Hlaing at a meeting with businesspeople in Mandalay Region on Friday, in which he claimed that double-cropping could generate up to $20 billion USD in annual revenue and that Burma loses $8 billion USD annually in export earnings nationwide due to a “failure” of farmers to meet target yields for 10 major crops set by a previous military regime in the 1990s.
“The government needs to find foreign markets for the farmers to grow more crops,” an agricultural expert told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The regime’s Department of Agriculture sets annual target yields for the 10 crops, including 100 tins per acre for summer paddy, 110 tins for monsoon paddy, and 85 tins for maize, among others.Tin is a Burmese unit for measurement of mass and one tin equals 40.91 liters.
The expert added that overall yields have declined due to shrinking farmland and fewer people farming since the military coup in 2021. The country exported 2.58 million tons of rice and broken rice in the 2019–20 fiscal year, but exports declined for five consecutive years before rebounding to 2.74 million tons in 2025–26, according to the regime-controlled Myanmar Rice Federation.
Myanmar actor Khar Ra wants ‘Proof of Life’ for Aung San Suu Kyi
Myanmar actor and activist Khar Ra, who walked away from a decade-long career in the entertainment industry to protest the 2021 military coup, has brought his fight for democracy to Canada. Recently arriving in the Canadian capital, the prominent star took a leading role in a protest outside the Myanmar Embassy and on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.
The demonstration was part of a growing global movement led by Kim Aris—the son of jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi—calling for her immediate release, demanding independent verification about her life and health, as well as raising international awareness of her unjust detention over the last five years, since she was detained on Feb. 1, 2021.
Khar Ra opened up to DVB about his personal sacrifices, his message to artists still working in Myanmar, and his desperate plea for global solidarity in what he describes as a dire humanitarian crisis. Before 2021, Khar Ra had spent 10 years building a highly successful acting career in Burma. When the military seized power, he faced a life-altering decision. Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—One woman was killed and seven others were injured during artillery attacks carried out by the Burma Navy on three villages in Kyaukphyu Township on Sunday. Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, is under regime control but contested by the Arakan Army (AA).
Kyaukphyu residents told DVB that the regime forces have increased its use of artillery and aerial attacks this month on residential areas during fighting with the AA. The regime’s chief minister visited Kyaukphyu to inspect dam construction on Maday Island on May 9, regime media reported.
SAGAING—Residents of Salingyi Township told DVB that over 600 regime troops have provided security at the Letpadaungtaung copper mine since Jan. 25. Salingyi, located 27 miles (43 km) south of the region’s capital Monywa, is contested between the People’s Defence Force (PDF) and regime forces.
A Salingyi resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that the copper mine employs over 1,000. A resident of Tigyaing Township told DVB that regime forces are unable to resume operations at the Tagaung nickel mine after regaining control on March 26. Tigyaing is located 182 miles (292 km) northeast of Monywa.
YANGON—A source close to the regime administration in Kamayut Township told DVB that Htoo Htet Tay Za, the son of crony businessperson Tay Za, paid 18 million MMK ($4,200 USD) to officials to dodge mandatory military service during the 25th intake of conscripts on May 7.
Under the conscription law, enforced on Feb. 10, 2024, males aged 18-35 and females aged 18-27, are eligible to serve up to two years in the military. Nearly 100,000 males are estimated to have been conscripted since 2024, according to an independent research group led by military defectors.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,200 MMK)
Stay up-to-date with the latest on #WhatsHappeninginMyanmar by subscribing for free to DVB English News’ curated Daily Briefing newsletter.
