Military claims control over Karenni State’s Hpasawng
Regime media reported that the military regained full control of Hpasawng town in Karenni State from Karenni resistance forces on Sunday. But sources close to the Karenni resistance told DVB that control of the town is still being contested with fighting ongoing. Hpasawng is located 73 miles (117 km) south of the Karenni State capital Loikaw.
In an interview with DVB in July, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) Deputy Commander Maui Pho Thaike claimed that resistance forces had captured the regime’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 134 on July 2 after “besieging” LIB 135 on June 25. Regime media reported a counteroffensive began in Hpasawng after the recapture of Demoso town, 63 miles (101 km) north of Hpasawng, on Aug. 19.
Regime media reported that the bodies of an unspecified number of “terrorists” were killed and 17 weapons were seized after 37 clashes. It didn’t disclose the number of regime troops killed. Karenni’s Demoso, Hpruso, Bawlakhe and Loikaw townships are under regime control. Mese and Shadaw townships are under Karenni resistance control. Karenni State has a total of seven townships. Read more
Forty-nine arrested for election-related social media posts
The Myanmar Internet Project (MIP), established in 2022 to monitor online activity in Burma, released a report on Saturday stating that 33 men and 16 women have been arrested for social media posts that allegedly “disrupted” the military’s 2025-26 elections from November 2025 to January 2026. Sixteen were charged under Section 23 (A) of the Election Protection Law, which was enacted on July 29.
“The military regime monitored and arrested individuals for online discussions related to the election around the clock,” the MIP report stated. Eighty-four people have been formally arrested with 269 charged and nine convicted for violating the Election Protection Law since July, according to DVB data. The law carries a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a maximum sentence of death.
Arrests were carried out at checkpoints in southern Shan State, and during guest registration checks in Yangon Region, under the Person Scrutinization and Monitoring System (PSMS). This is a digital surveillance technology to monitor citizens’ online and offline activities first established by the regime in March 2025, according to MIP.
Dili slams Naypyidaw expulsion of Timor-Leste top diplomat
The Timor-Leste government condemned the regime’s order on Sunday expelling its Chargé d’Affaires Elisio do Rosario de Sousa from Burma by Feb. 20. This follows an announcement on Feb. 2 by the Chin Human Rights Organization (CHRO) that legal proceedings were being opened against the military, including Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, in Dili for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“It is most unlikely the Timorese will back down in the face of [the regime’s] interference and bullying,” Chris Gunness, the founder and director of the Myanmar Accountability Project (MAP), told DVB. MAP is partnering with CHRO to bring cases against the military in Burma under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction. He added that the diplomat’s expulsion would only strengthen Timor-Leste’s resolve.
Dili’s spokesperson Minister Agio Pereira stated on Monday that his government “remains firm” in its belief that dialogue and respect for the people is essential to achieve peace in Burma. The regime in Naypyidaw expelled Dili’s previous Chargé d’Affaires from Burma, following a meeting between leaders of the Timor-Leste government and the National Unity Government (NUG) in 2023. Read more
Read our latest op-ed: Myanmar’s junta expels Timor-Leste diplomat fearing accountability.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Three civilians, including a two-year-old, were killed and three others were injured by drone and artillery strikes on two villages in Kyaukphyu Township over the weekend. Kyaukphyu, located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe, is contested between the Arakan Army (AA) and regime forces.
Residents told DVB that a navy ship fired four artillery shells at Kyaukkale village on Saturday. A “suicide drone,” or Unmmaned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) that detonates upon impact, struck Wamyaung village on Sunday. A total of three civilians died in the attacks on Feb. 14-15.
KACHIN—Sources close to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that around 10 regime troops have defected to the KIA since fighting resumed in Bhamo Township on Dec. 25. Bhamo is located 118 miles (190 km) south of the state capital Myitkyina and 56 miles (90 km) southwest of the KIA headquarters of Laiza.
A KIA source told DVB that its members and its allied People’s Defence Force (PDF) have taken in 20 regime troops as prisoners of war after seizing control of a regime outpost in Bhamo’s Siin village on Jan. 15. The battle over control of Bhamo between the KIA and regime forces began on Dec. 4, 2024.
NAYPYIDAW—A source close to the regime told DVB that Home Affairs Minister Tun Tun Naung was dismissed from his position on Jan. 27 and is being court martialed in the capital for “corruption.” The source added that Tun Tun Naung is accused of “taking bribes” from businesspeople in Burma.
The source told DVB that deputy Home Affairs Minister Aung Kyaw Kyaw was also sacked and charged, adding that the duo is also accused of being involved in the cyber scam industry. Tun Tun Naung was appointed by the regime to the Home Affairs Minister position on Jan. 31, 2025.
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