The People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that regime forces recaptured Singu town on Thursday following days of heavy fighting with the PDF. Singu, located 58 miles (93 km) north of Mandalay, was seized by the PDF in July 2024.
“[Regime forces] used artillery and drones extensively during the attacks. Transportation and communications have been severely disrupted, and we were forced to retreat from the town,” a PDF member told DVB.
He added that the PDF was pushed back from its positions due to sustained regime incursions supported by airstrikes and heavy artillery fire from Letpanhla village, about 4.5 miles (7.2 km) east of Singu town.
There were also reports of civilian casualties from regime airstrikes, but the exact number of fatalities remains undisclosed. Residents told DVB that thousands have fled their homes in Singu town and surrounding villages after regime forces launched a counteroffensive in October.
“It is true that after they [military] retook most of Madaya Township, we lost some military camps and villages in Singu Township. Fighting is still ongoing,” the Singu Administration Team, formed by the PDF after it seized control of the town, told DVB.
Ethnic armed groups and the PDF have seized 103 towns across Myanmar since the uprising against the 2021 military coup began. At least 12 towns have since been recaptured by regime forces during its ongoing counteroffensives, according to DVB data.
The regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that its 2025-26 elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 — and continue into January 2026 — will not be held in Mandalay Region’s Natogyi, Singu, and Mogok townships. Mandalay Region has a total of 28 townships.
