Myanmar celebrates Thadingyut

Buddhists visited pagodas across Burma to celebrate the Thadingyut Festival of Lights Oct. 16-18. Homes and streets were adorned with decorative lights at night in celebration of the festival, which marks the end of Buddhist Lent. Many visited Yangon’s iconic Shwedagon Pagoda.

Groups opposing the 2021 military coup have called on the public to avoid participating in events organized by the regime. “Illuminate the people’s future with the oil of revolution. The flames of the people’s revolution are still burning brightly,” Tayzar San, the pro-democracy leader from Mandalay, posted on social media. 

This year marks the fourth Thadingyut celebrated since the 2021 coup. The Arakan Army (AA) and civil society groups have urged residents of Arakan State not to gather in groups during the holiday due to the threat of airstrikes and other attacks by the military. From Sept. 1 to Oct. 11, the Burma Air Force has killed 235 people and injured 277 in 148 airstrikes nationwide.

On par with China for worst internet freedom globally

Freedom House stated in its 2024 Freedom of the Net report that internet freedom in Burma is on par with China as the worst in the world. It added that this year marked the first time in a decade that any country has ranked as low as China. Burma scored nine out of 100 in terms of internet freedom in 2024, a decline by one point from the previous year. 

“Myanmar’s military has conducted a brutally violent crackdown on dissent and imprisoned thousands of people in retaliation for their online speech, all while building a mass censorship and surveillance regime to suppress the activities of civilian pro democracy activists and armed resistance groups,” added the Freedom of the Net 2024 report.

The report highlighted a musician named “Min Oat Myanmar” who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for criticizing Min Aung Hlaing on a Facebook live stream. Many netizens have relied on virtual private networks (VPNs) since the regime began imposing internet shutdowns and blocking access to Facebook following the 2021 military coup.

Key military outpost seized by resistance forces near Thai border

The Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its allied resistance groups seized control of the Swetawkone military camp near the Thai-Burma border in Myawaddy Township, Karen State, on Thursday. KNLA-led forces have been attacking this remaining military outpost in Myawaddy since March 11. 

“We took control of the camp. However, the details of the situation are still unfolding as we continue to fight with enemy forces,” Saw Nal Dar Htoo, the KNU Brigade 6 military strategist, told DVB. He added that prisoners of war were captured. Weapons and ammunition were also seized from the military. 

The “Operation Aung Zeya” counteroffensive was launched by the military against KNLA-led forces in Karen State but it has been unsuccessful in re-establishing full control of Myawaddy, which serves as a vital trade hub with Thailand. KNLA-led forces seized control of Myawaddy for 12 days in April.

News by Region

BAGO—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) stated that six of its members were arrested on a bus in Pyay Township, located around 183 miles (295 km) northwest of the Bago Region capital, on Oct. 11. They were traveling from Aunglan town in Magway Region.  

“They were arrested by the military while they were traveling and were later forced to confess where they were hiding weapons,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. Pro-military social media channels accused the six arrested PDF members of carrying 11 firearms and seven landmines.

The regime has been collecting census data from pedestrians and motorists in Kyaukkyi, Hmone and Saw townships, which are located in territory claimed by the KNU in Nyaunglebin district, since Oct. 12. The residents were made to answer a list of questions at military checkpoints. 

“We have been asked where we are going, where we are from, what we are carrying with us, and had to show our national identification card,” a Kyaukkyi resident told DVB. Padoh Saw Thamein Tun, a member of the KNU Central Executive Committee, told DVB that it opposes the regime’s census, which was conducted Oct. 1-15. The regime is now attempting to collect census data in areas it does not fully control. 

SAGAING—One civilian and three police officers were killed, and two others were injured, during a shootout at a restaurant in Mingun of Sagaing Township, located around 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Mandalay, on Wednesday. 

“Unidentified gunmen opened fire at the police officers eating at the shop. A relative of the shop owner was killed and two were injured,” Naga Lay, a spokesperson for the Wetlet Information Network, told DVB. He added that the restaurant and some nearby vacant homes were set ablaze by regime forces afterwards.

SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) detained Win Hlaing (aka Maetu), the National League for Democracy (NLD) party’s ousted member of parliament from the Shan State Hluttaw, on Sept. 2. Namtu is located around 41 miles (66 km) northwest of Lashio.

“A TNLA official said he was arrested for impersonation,” a source close to Win Hlaing’s family told DVB. The source added that they have been allowed to meet with him in detention. Win Hlaing won his seat during the 2020 election. The Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the TNLA, the AA, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), seized control of Namtu in December after it launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,420 kyat)