Military retakes control of Chin State’s Falam town
The military regained control of Falam, the second largest town in Chin State after the capital Hakha, from the Chin resistance on Saturday. Salai Timmy Htut, the Chin Brotherhood spokesperson, declined to speak to DVB, citing “military confidentiality.” Falam, located 41 miles (66 km) north of Hakha, was seized by the Chin Brotherhood in April 2025.
The Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), a member of the Chin Brotherhood, told DVB on the condition of anonymity that fighting over control of Falam is ongoing. Chin World, the local news agency, reported that both Falam and its Surbung Airport were recaptured by regime forces on April 25.
Regime media reported that 19 “terrorists” were killed by regime forces, which is how Naypyidaw refers to resistance force members, but doesn’t disclose its casualties. The military launched a counteroffensive to retake Falam in October after taking Taingen, a strategic village that sits at the junction connecting northern to southern Chin, on Nov. 9. Taingen is located 91 miles (146 km) north of Hakha. Read more
Two Chinese charged by US for cyber scams in Myanmar
The U.S. Strike Force unsealed criminal complaints and arrest warrants against two Chinese nationals in connection with cryptocurrency investment fraud operations at the Shunda compound in Myawaddy Township, Karen State. Two managers, Huang Xingshan, also known as “Ah Zhe,” and “Huang Xing Saan” and Jiang Wen Jie, also known as “Jiang Nan” are charged with wire fraud conspiracy.
“We have charged the Chinese bosses who ran a scam compound in Burma, where trafficked workers were beaten and forced to steal from Americans,” said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro on April 23. “My Office continues to work to identify funds stolen from victims, having now caused restraint of more than $700 million in cryptocurrency involved in money laundering from U.S. victims of fraud.”
The Shunda compound operated from at least January 2025 until approximately November 2025, when it was seized by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA). Workers at Shunda used cyber scams to defraud victims, including one American of $3 million USD, according to the FBI. Huang and Jiang were arrested on immigration charges by law enforcement in Thailand earlier this year. Read more
China’s top diplomat visits Naypyidaw
China’s top diplomat Wang Yi visited Naypyidaw on Saturday and met with Min Aung Hlaing as part of a regional tour aimed at strengthening Beijing’s political, security and strategic ties in Burma. Regime media reported that the Chinese Foreign Minister discussed enhancing Burma’s international relations and cooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Wang Yi’s visit to Naypyidaw comes after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn in as president on April 10 following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was designed to maintain the military’s grip on power five years after it ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s civilian government. Min Aung Hlaing said that he was pleased that the Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his congratulatory message within hours of his election.
China is Burma’s biggest trading partner and a longstanding ally. Beijing has invested billions of dollars in Burma’s mines, oil and gas pipelines and other infrastructure and is a major arms supplier along with Russia. China is one of a small number of countries that have openly supported the 2025-26 elections and sent congratulatory messages to Min Aung Hlaing assumed the presidency. Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—Residents of Ngapali town in Thandwe Township told DVB that three civilians were killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force April 23-24. Thandwe, located 534 miles (939 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, was seized by the Arakan Army (AA) on July 16, 2024.
A Thandwe resident told DVB that six fighter jets carried out the airstrikes and that they’re living in “constant fear” for their lives. The AA reported that four members of a family, including two children, were killed and three others were injured during airstrikes in Thandwe on April 1.
CHIN—The licenses of three media outlets, including Chin World and Khonumthung Media Group, were revoked under the Printing and Publishing Law on April 9. The regime claimed that the three publish content considered harmful to “national security, rule of law, and public peace.”
A total of nine other news agencies had their publication licenses revoked by the regime following the 2021 coup, including DVB, Khit Thit, 7 Day, Delta News Agency, Mizzima, Myanmar Now, The 74 Media, Myitkyina News Journal, and Tachileik News Agency, according to DVB data.
SAGAING—At least 10 civilians have been killed and over 10,000 residents have been displaced from their homes during fighting in Ayardaw Township from March 30 to April 21, residents told DVB. Ayardaw is located 25 miles (40 km) northeast of the region’s capital Monywa.
The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Ayardaw told DVB that 200 aerial attacks have been carried out by regime forces during a military counteroffensive since March 30. Residents told DVB that Ayardaw’s Thaleba village was seized by the PDF on April 20 with fighting ending on April 22.
SHAN—The President’s Office and the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services imposed a state of emergency in 15 townships on Friday, enacting martial law measures and transferring all civilian administrative and judicial powers to the military.
Namtu, Mabein, Kutkai, Namkham, Hsenwi, Kunlong, Namhsan, Manton, Hopang, Laukkai, Konkyan, Momeik, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mongla townships are among the 60 total nationwide authorizing military tribunals for civilians with sentences as severe as the death penalty. Read more
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