Seven civilians killed by gyrocopter in Sagaing Region
At least seven civilians living in Paenwegone village, located in Homalin Township 331 miles (533 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa, were killed during a gyrocopter attack carried out from the Homalin Air Force Base Headquarters on Saturday, residents told DVB. An unknown number of injured were transported by rescue workers to a hospital, where several remain in critical condition as of Feb. 23.
Paenwegone residents added that two gyrocopters, which are ultralight one or two-person aircraft with helicopter-like rotating blades, attacked. “The military has repeatedly used paramotors and gyrocopters to bomb peaceful gatherings and protected civilian sites—schools, hospitals, monasteries, and houses—across Myanmar’s central lowlands,” according to a Fortify Rights report on Jan. 26.
Paenwegone village was seized by the People’s Defence Force (PDF) under the National Unity Government (NUG) in November 2024. Homalin is contested between regime and resistance forces. Regime leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing visited Homalin and blamed residents for the conflict in the township during a meeting between locals and regime officials at the Homalin Town Hall on Feb. 15.
Another civilian killed by airstrikes in Kachin State
A source close to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that one civilian was killed by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in Bwankahtaung village of Momauk Township, Kachin State, on Sunday. Momauk is located 50-112 miles (80-180 km) south of the KIA headquarters of Laiza and the Kachin State capital Myitkyina.
A Momauk resident told DVB that Air Force jets have flown over the town every day since a Myanmar National Airlines passenger aircraft was damaged by an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or drone, attack at the Myitkyina Airport on Feb. 20. At least 10 airstrikes were carried out against four KIA brigades across Kachin State, including in Momauk, over the weekend, according to the KIA source.
The regime accused the KIA of attacking the Myanmar National Airlines passenger aircraft on Feb. 20 and stated that regime forces would “respond strongly” to the KIA. Naw Bu, the KIA spokesperson, denied the regime’s accusation of attacking a civilian airliner, telling DVB that it did attack the military airbase in Nanpaung village three miles (4.8 km) from the Myitkyina Airport on an unspecified date.
New app to alert Myanmar users about aerial attacks
A resistance group calling itself Wai Hin Scout on social media shared a progressive web app (PWA) on Feb. 15 that warns communities across Burma about incoming aerial attacks carried out by the Burma Air Force, or by regime motorized paragliders and gyrocopters. The PWA can be accessed using any web browser on computers or mobile devices.
A user is required to select the current location, or the region or state and township they want to monitor, as well as the distance range. If they select a 62 mile radius (100 km) it alerts them that they will have about eight minutes to take shelter when an aircraft is within the range of their selected area, according to the introductory video. DVB contacted Wai Hin Scout for more details.
Users can add the website to their computer’s home screen through their device settings, which will allow it to function like a mobile app. The Wai Hin Scout group has been sharing warnings about aerial attacks to social media since 2022, using information submitted by residents across Burma. At least 1,747 people have been killed in 2,435 aerial attacks since March 28, according to DVB data.
News by Region
NAYPYIDAW—Regime media reported that the military-controlled Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) announced on Friday that it would sell $30 million USD to fuel importers in February. It will also sell $1.35 million USD to edible oil-importing companies on Feb. 20.
The CBM sold over $43 million USD, 65 million THB ($2 million USD) and over four million CNY ($570,000 USD) in an attempt to stabilize the foreign currency market in January, according to the regime. The CBM has allowed foreign exchange only at private banks since December 2023.
SHAN—Around 50 males aged 18 to 35 have been arrested in raids by regime forces in the state capital Taunggyi since Feb. 1, residents told DVB. Some were forced to pay bribes ranging from 5–10 million kyat ($1,290–$2,581 USD). Those who couldn’t pay were sent for military conscription.
Taunggyi residents told DVB that they were threatened with arrest if they intervened in the raids. Regime forces used surveillance drones to monitor the wards before carrying out arrests. An estimated 96,000 males have been conscripted into the military since the law was enforced on Feb. 10, 2024.
YANGON—People’s Pioneer Party (PPP) founder Thet Thet Khine has stepped down from her role as chairperson of the PPP and has handed all responsibilities to deputy chairperson Saw Han Aye, BBC reported. Thet Thet Khine will assume the role of PPP human resources committee chairperson.
The Union Election Commission (UEC) stated on Jan. 14 that it would take legal action against Thet Thet Khine for “meeting discreetly with foreign diplomats” in Bahan Township on Dec. 18. The PPP was given 20 seats by the UEC under its new proportional representation electoral system in the military elections.
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