FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Brotherhood Alliance vows to take offensive nationwide
The Yangon Regional Command ordered all local administrations and departments to be prepared for an attack on Nov. 27 as the Brotherhood Alliance vowed to step up its Operation 1027 one month after it was launched in northern Shan State.
“Are we expecting the [Brotherhood Alliance] to come down from the Shan plateau and march on Naypyidaw and Mandalay? I personally think that’s quite unlikely,” said Thomas Kean, senior consultant on Burma and Bangladesh at the International Crisis Group (ICG).
Yangon residents said that more soldiers than usual have been deployed at security posts across the city. Armored vehicles have been spotted. Pro-military militias were ordered to assist local police if they were to come under attack. The navy was spotted along the Hlaing river inspecting sand-mining boats.
Warrant issued for People’s Pioneer Party executive
Regime police issued an arrest warrant on Nov. 20 for People’s Pioneer Party (PPP) central executive committee member and chairperson for Shan State, Sai Lwel Kham, on accusations of drug trafficking. A man arrested with 4.5 million methamphetamine tablets in southern Shan State allegedly told police that Sai Lwel Kham was involved.
“The authorities raided his homes in Taunggyi and Tachileik, seizing two guns and two grenades. They also took four cars from him,” said an unnamed source from the regime’s Drug Enforcement Division.
The PPP was founded in 2019 by former National League for Democracy (NLD) member Thet Thet Khaing and 18 other businesspeople. Sai Lwel Kham was a PPP candidate in the 2020 election but lost in his constituency of eastern Shan State. None of the PPP’s 230 candidates were elected in 2020.
Regime to prosecute unlicensed satellite services users
The regime’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology stated on Nov. 23 that it will prosecute anyone using unlicensed satellite devices, internet services, radar and radio communications under the Telecommunications Law. Those found in violation of the law can be jailed for up to one year.
The National Unity Government (NUG) stated that it is providing internet services in over 50 townships of Sagaing and Magway regions, as well as Karenni State, where the regime cut telecommunications services in Loikaw on Nov. 22.
News by Region
SHAN—The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and its allies seized control of the Kyin San Kyawt border gate in Muse Township on Nov. 25. Kin San Kyawt is a major hub for trade with China.
The Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, has seized control of four border gates in northern Shan State since Oct. 27. It captured Namsalat hill camp in Hsenwi Township on Nov. 24. Sixteen soldiers were killed and 31 were taken prisoner.
ARAKAN—Regime administrators met with Maungdaw residents on Nov. 25. “They discussed that fighting should not happen in Maungdaw as the town has many armed groups,” said an unnamed local source. The Arakan Army (AA), Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA), and Rohingya Solidarity Organization (RSO) all maintain a presence in Maungdaw.
CHIN—Five soldiers were killed by Chin forces and two civilians were injured by artillery fired by the military in response to attacks at a government office in Mindat town on Nov. 26. “We started Operation 1126 in Chin state and we will attack military targets in the state,” said Salai Anhtaw Ni, a Chin resistance group leader. The military blocked all roads into Mindat on Nov. 27.
MAGWAY—A local resistance group claims two people were killed and two were injured when an artillery shell landed on a monastery in Pansen village of Saw Township on Nov. 26. The victims were identified as Thein Zaw and Si Thu Maung. The injured were taken for emergency medical care.
YANGON—Thomas Kean from ICG said that cyber scam centers have relocated from the border to urban areas. “We’ve seen reports of cyber scam operations being in Yangon and the authorities not really taking action against them,” he told DVB.
Regime media reported that 95 people were arrested in connection with scam centers in Tamwe Township on Oct. 26. Criminal organizations have increased operations in the country over the last two years, particularly along the borders with China and Thailand. The Brotherhood Alliance has made eliminating cyber scam centers one of its stated aims.
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