FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Brotherhood Alliance seizes more territory in Shan State
The Brotherhood Alliance’s Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) stated on Dec. 15 that three civilians were killed and more than 30 houses and a school were damaged during its six-day fight to seize Namhsan Township, located in northern Shan State, from the military.
Further north and closer to the China border, Muse Township residents told DVB on Dec. 14 that a military base located near the 105-Mile Trade Zone, one of the busiest border trade posts, was seized by another Brotherhood Alliance member, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). Read more here.
Ceasefire reached with military in Kokang Self-Administered Zone
Beijing mediated a temporary ceasefire between the Brotherhood Alliance and the military in Kunming, China on Dec. 11. The temporary ceasefire is for the Kokang Self-Administered Zone, located in northern Shan State along the China-Myanmar border.
Richard Horsey, the senior Myanmar adviser at the International Crisis Group (ICG), told the ABC that the ceasefire will last until the end of December. “China has been working tirelessly to stop the war and promote talks among the relevant parties in Myanmar,” said Mao Ning, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Read more here.
Another official charged with incitement
Khin Soe Yu, the former deputy-director of the Naypyidaw Development Committee, was arrested at her home in Zabuthiri Township on Dec. 15 and charged under Section 505 (A) of the Penal Code for incitement against the state. “Pro-military groups told police to arrest her for commenting on a Facebook post,” said an unnamed source in Naypyidaw.
Khin Soe Yu is accused of praising comments made by MNDAA spokesperson Li Kyar Win in an interview. She told regime media that her Facebook account had been hacked. The maximum penalty for incitement is three years in prison.
News by Region
BAGO—A political prisoner at Thayarwaddy prison died on Dec. 13 without access to proper medical treatment, said an unnamed source in the regime’s prison department. The prisoner had been suffering from a virus obtained by drinking unclean water.
“The authorities are not providing them clean drinking water. Also there are medicine shortages inside the prison,” added the source. Two political prisoners died from lung disease in September.
MAGWAY—Magway residents said two civilians were killed and five others were injured by airstrikes carried out on three townships on Dec. 15. A 500-pound high explosive bomb was dropped on Seik Phyu, Saw, and Pauk Townships.
“A Mi35 helicopter also fired rounds of shots over the northern part of Pauk township,” said a Pauk resident. The military is using retaliatory airstrikes, firing artillery, and committing arson as it loses territory to resistance forces, residents added.
MANDALAY—Madaya residents said the 80-year-old father of Min Min, an ousted local Hluttaw member of parliament (MP), was re-arrested on Dec. 16. “They wore masks and came with a vehicle and took him away from his house. All of the MPs’ properties have been sealed since 2021,” said a Madaya resident.
MON—A group of 15 unidentified gunmen stole 600 million kyat ($283,849 USD) from KBZ Bank employees in Thanbyuzayat Township on Dec. 14. “The bank staff withdrew the money from Thanbyuzayat. Their vehicle [was] stopped. The money [was stolen],” said a source close to KBZ Bank. The military is investigating.
YANGON—Residents said a man was killed and 15 others were injured due to explosions in nine townships on Dec. 15-16. “A man was riding his bicycle and saw a parcel box. He picked up and the bomb blasted. He was seriously wounded when another was injured,” said a East Dagon resident.
The explosions occurred in East Dagon, South Dagon, Kyimyindaing, Dawbon, Botahtaung, Tamwe, Ahlone, Dala, and Mingaladone townships. No group has claimed responsibility. Sources in Kyimyindaing Township stated that an unexploded bomb was discovered, and detonated by the military, near the railway line.
