FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Military accuses ‘foreign experts’ of aiding armed groups
Min Aung Hlaing claimed that foreign drone experts have assisted the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Arakan Army (AA) at a regime meeting in Naypyidaw on Nov. 29.
The regime leader did not provide any specifics on who the experts were and which countries they come from. But he accused armed groups of leveraging ceasefire agreements with the military to manufacture weapons and train the People’s Defense Force (PDF).
Min Aung Hlaing confirmed that the military has retreated from territory along the China-Burma border seized by the MNDAA, TNLA and AA since its Oct. 27 offensive began. He vowed to implement a “stringent response” to suppress the Brotherhood Alliance and the PDF.
NUG states regime on brink of collapse
The National Unity Government (NUG) Foreign Minister Zin Mar Aung told Nikkei Asia that the regime is nearing its end during an interview in Tokyo, Japan on Nov. 27. “We are receiving many defectors and most of the military camps are ready to surrender,” she said.
Zin Mar Aung added that offensives by resistance forces will intensify within the next two weeks. She claimed that the wave of attacks will be accompanied by acts of civil disobedience, including strikes.
The NUG is reportedly preparing for face-to-face talks with the military. Zin Mar Aung added that the current conditions are not conducive to dialogue as the military refuses to abide by the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and stop all violence, which Min Aung Hlaing agreed to in 2021.
Pop-up ‘Starlink’ cafe opens in Karenni State
On Nov. 25, regime media reported that people using satellite internet services, provided by companies like Starlink, could be prosecuted under the Telecommunications Law.
Phone and internet services had been shut down in Loikaw, Demoso, Hpruso, Mese and Loilen Lay townships of Karenni State on Nov. 11. In response, the Karenni Hope organization – which assists Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) – opened “Starlink Cafe” with access to satellite internet on Nov. 22.
“When the military shut down the internet in Karenni State, the people faced many difficulties. Some people fled to big cities like Yangon and Taunggyi. But those who were left here wanted to communicate with their families,” said Lwan, the spokesperson at the Karenni Hope organization. Read more here.
News by Region
SHAN—MNDAA spokesperson Li Kyar Win said that it had established an administration in Pansai on Nov. 28. The MNDAA seized control of the town, located on the China-Burma border on Nov. 19. It claims to have established control over 70 percent of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone since Oct. 27.
Li Kyar Win told DVB that Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 125 surrendered to the MNDAA in Konkyan Township on Nov. 28. “The entire regiment surrendered. We have now taken control of that location,” he added. The MNDAA called it “another historic success” for Operation 1027. All 126 members of LIB 129 surrendered in Laukkai on Nov. 12.
CHIN—Thirty-four soldiers and five others were detained by the Chin National Front (CNF/CNA) and Chinland Defense Force (CDF) after it seized Rezua in Matupi District on Nov. 29. “Four Burma Army personnel were killed and 39 [people] were arrested as POWs. We already sent them to safe areas,” said Salai Danni, the CDF Zotung spokesperson.
KARENNI—The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced on Nov. 29 that it will file charges against five education staff from Loikaw University. They are under investigation by the IEC for allegedly collaborating with the military. The five were among the 198 evacuated from Loikaw University on Nov. 11.
SAGAING—A school was destroyed by an airstrike in Ywar Shay Myauk village of Taze Township on Nov. 30. “There was no fighting or any armed groups here but two bombs dropped at about 2 a.m. when people were sleeping. No one was injured,” said a Taze resident.
