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Trade in northern Shan State resumes following ceasefire; Resistance groups accuse regime of drugging its troops

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Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army leader Peng Daxun was reportedly receiving medical treatment in China in November. (Credit: Kokang Information Network)

Trade in northern Shan State resumes following ceasefire

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) announced that it had granted permission for the free passage of goods in northern Shan State between “Wa State” and the Kokang Self-Administered Zone on Monday. This followed a ceasefire agreement between the military and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Kunming, China on Jan. 18. 

“Oil and some goods have started to flow back in [to Burma from China],” said Nyi Rang, the spokesperson for the UWSA, which governs Wa State – known officially as the Wa Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan. He added that due to China’s border closure last year, towns in Hopang District located along the Burma-China border face shortages of engine oil and construction materials.

Hopang is located 336 miles (540 km) northeast of the Shan State capital Taunggyi and 92 miles (148 km) east of Lashio. It is one of six townships in the Wa Self-Administered Division. Several border gates, including the Fang Sai bridge, Chinshwehaw, Laukkai and Namtit (Mankha), were reportedly reopened on Jan. 20. The China-Burma border has five key trade posts: Muse, Chinshwehaw, Lweje, Kanpaikti and Kengtung.

Resistance groups accuse regime of drugging its troops 

Ethnic armed groups and anonymous sources in the military told DVB that the regime has been giving narcotics to soldiers on the frontline across Burma, which has resulted in a rise of military casualty numbers. Over 30 pro-military Pa-O National Organization (PNO) members killed in recent fighting were allegedly drugged.

“The military has forced Pa-O villagers to take drugs after finishing short-term combat training to fight aggressively, leading to rising fatalities. We’ve heard reports of villagers being shot if they refuse to comply,” said Khun Rein Yan, the spokesperson for the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA), an ethnic armed group which has joined the resistance since the 2021 military coup.

In December, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF) told DVB that detained military personnel confessed that they had been forced to take methamphetamine on the frontline. Resistance forces believe that this may be a military strategy to keep its personnel from considering desertion. DVB requested comment from the regime but received no response. 

Representatives of four Mon resistance groups announced the formation of a unified force at an undisclosed location in Mon State on Jan. 19. (Credit: MPA)

Four Mon resistance groups unite against military in Mon State

Four Mon resistance groups, the Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the Mon State Defence Force (MSDF), the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) and the Mon National Liberation Army – Anti-Dictatorship (MNLA-AD), announced on Sunday that they were unifying to enhance military operations in Mon State. They held a meeting for the newly-established Mon resistance force in an undisclosed location of Mon State on Jan. 17.

“The Ramanya Joint Military Column will establish a base in a strategically suitable location and carry out military operations within Mon territory. Once the column is formed and roles are assigned, active military campaigns will commence,” said Thiri Mon Chan, the head of public relations and communications for the Ramanya Joint Military Column.

Mon ethnic armed groups operate in southeastern Burma’s Mon and Karen states, as well as Tanintharyi Region. The MSRF and the MSDF have been engaged in military operations around Ye Township, which is located 86 miles (138 km) south of the Mon State capital Mawlamyine. The Ramanya Joint Military Column hopes to unite all remaining Mon ethnic armed groups opposed to the 2021 coup. Read more. 

News by Region 

ARAKAN—Two out of three cargo ships from Bangladesh seized by the Arakan Army (AA) were released on Monday, the Dhaka Tribune reported. The three ships were transporting goods from Yangon to Teknaf, in southeastern Bangladesh, when they were seized by the AA along the Naf River on Jan. 16. 

Cargo ships transporting goods from Burma to Bangladesh have been stopped by the AA since it took control of Maungdaw Township on Dec. 8. Syed Mohammad Anwar Hossain, the manager of United Land Port in Teknaf, confirmed the arrival of two ships on Jan. 20. He added that he is awaiting information about the third ship from the AA.

KAREN—Regime media reported on Monday that electricity and internet to cyber scam operations in Myawaddy Township’s Shwe Kokko, located 16 miles (25 km) north of Myawaddy town along the Thailand-Burma border, comes from “other countries.” Myawaddy is 140 miles (225 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An. 

It added that from October 2023 to January 2025, 55,711 foreigners have been deported back to their home countries since leaving cyber scam operations located along Burma’s borders with China and Thailand. Chinese nationals made up the vast majority of those deported at 53,388, followed by Vietnam at 1,149, and Thailand at 648.

The Karen National Union (KNU) accused the regime in Naypyidaw of providing security for the cyber scam operations in Karen State through its Border Guard Force (BGF) and other allied pro-military militias. The KNU called for strengthened cooperation among neighboring countries, including Thailand, China, India, Bangladesh, and Laos, to combat transnational crime.

SHAN—The KNDF told DVB that the military launched a counteroffensive in Moebye Township, located 10 miles (16 km) north of the Karenni State capital Loikaw and 94 miles (151 km) south of Taunggyi, which is under Karenni resistance control. More than 300 military personnel from the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 422 began the attack on Sunday. 

“The fighting is ongoing and intensifying. Last year, the Burma Army sent reinforcements from Pekon to Moebye and tried to recapture the town,” a KNDF information officer told DVB. The Karenni resistance seized control of Moebye in November 2023. Resistance forces claim to control up to 90 percent of Karenni State, which includes Pekon Township of southern Shan. 

Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,640 MMK)

Four Mon resistance groups unite to defeat military in Mon State

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English Editor
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Representatives from the Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the Mon National Liberation Army – Administrative Division (MNLA-AD), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), and the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) announced the formation of the Ramanya Joint Military Column after meeting in an undisclosed location in Mon State on Jan. 19. (Credit: MPA)

By Nway / MPA

Four Mon armed resistance groups have announced plans to merge to strengthen their opposition to the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power after the 2021 military coup, according to an announcement on Sunday.

“The Ramanya Joint Military Column will establish a base in a strategically suitable location and carry out military operations within Mon territory. Once the column is formed and roles are assigned, active military campaigns will commence,” said Thiri Mon Chan, the head of public relations and communications for the newly-established Ramanya Joint Military Column.

This move marks a significant step for ethnic armed groups in Mon State. Representatives of the Mon Liberation Army (MLA), the Mon National Liberation Army – Administrative Division (MNLA-AD), the Mon State Defense Force (MSDF), and the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF), convened the meeting in an undisclosed location last week.

Thiri Mon Chan added that the primary aim of this new resistance force is to consolidate efforts against pro-regime groups in Mon State. “By operating as a single, consolidated force, the victories of the Spring Revolution and the national liberation movement will be achieved more effectively.”

The MLA, MNLA-AD, MSDF, and MSRF stated on Jan. 19 that the Ramanya Joint Military Column would establish a unified force for all of Mon State, hoping to incorporate all remaining ethnic armed groups opposing the 2021 coup. “The ultimate goal of forming this joint military column is to integrate all Mon armed resistance forces into a single, unified Mon Army,” stated Thiri Mon Chan.

Airstrikes kill 28 military family members at detention camp; Arakan Army seizes village in Ayeyarwady Region

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Survivors identify the bodies of those killed by airstrikes at the Arakan Army's detention camp in Mrauk-U, Arakan State, on Jan. 18. (Credit: AA)

Airstrikes kill 28 military family members at detention camp

The Arakan Army (AA) claimed that a total of 28 people, including children, were killed and 25 others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on an undisclosed location near Ram Creek in Mrauk-U Township of Arakan State on Saturday. The AA seized control of Mrauk-U, located 88 miles (142 km) northeast of the Arakan State capital Sittwe, last February. 

The death toll included children aged two, eight, 11 and 12, as well as those over age 60. They were members of military families scheduled to be released, who had been detained by the AA in Mrauk-U since fighting ended, according to the AA. The military has intensified its aerial bombardments on areas under AA control in recent months as it has seized 14 out of Arakan’s 17 townships.

So far this month, airstrikes have killed over 40 civilians in Ramree Township and at least nine in Kyauktaw Township. The Blood Money Campaign, a coalition of anti-coup activists, is calling for a global aviation fuel ban on Burma. The U.N. urged both the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power after the 2021 military coup, and the AA to adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law. 

Arakan Army seizes village in Ayeyarwady Region

The Burma Air Force also carried out airstrikes on Bawmi village of Shwethaungyan town, located 43 miles (69 km) northwest of the Ayeyarwady Region capital Pathein, after it was seized by the AA on Saturday. This is the second village in northern Ayeyarwady to come under AA control since Jan. 10.

“Homes were destroyed and no one who was left behind in the village would have survived,” a Shwethaungyan resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Military personnel withdrew from Bawmi village on Jan. 18 after fighting with the AA ended. Residents said that over 200 homes were destroyed by airstrikes on Friday. 

A source close to the military told DVB that 80 soldiers were injured and 100 are still missing in Bawmi. The AA took control of Magyizin village of Shwethaungyan town, which is located 20 miles (32 km) south of Gwa Township in southern Arakan, after it seized full control of Gwa on Dec. 29. The Burma Navy has stationed its warships off the coast of Ayeyarwady.  

Chin National Front members allegedly arrested in India

India’s Mizoram State authorities announced that they arrested five members believed to belong to the Chin National Front (CNF), including a senior leader, with six AK-47 rifles, 10,050 rounds of ammunition, and 13 magazines during a raid near Saithah village in Mizoram’s Mamit district, the Hindustan Times newspaper reported on Thursday. 

“One of [the five arrested] is a member of CNF but not the [Chin National Army]. The weapons and ammunition are also not for the CNF,” Salai Htet Ni, the CNA spokesperson, told Chin World on Jan. 17 in response to the arrests. Indian police accused the CNF members of smuggling the weapons from neighbouring Bangladesh into India.

The authorities also accused a Bangladeshi armed group called the United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF-P) of being involved in the weapons smuggling. Mizoram State shares a 316 mile (510 km) long border with Chinland. The CNF is a founding member of the Chinland Council, one of the two factions of the Chin resistance formed after the 2021 coup.

News by Region 

Makeshift homes located next to the railway tracks in North Okkalapa Township of Yangon. (Credit: DVB)

YANGON—North Okkalapa Township residents told DVB that more than 16 households, near Paywatseikkon train station in Tadagyi ward, have been ordered to leave their homes by Feb. 1. The 16 households are planning to file an appeal at the township court. Residents claimed that they received “smart” identification cards from the National League for Democracy (NLD) government which allows them to remain in their homes.

“More than 60 people are staying in the area,” said a Tadagyi ward resident. A Myanma Railways employee told DVB that the residents are being evicted to make way for a new Yangon Circular Railway project planned by the regime’s Ministry of Rail Transportation. North Okkalapa has four train stations and all households near them may soon be facing eviction. 

MAGWAY—A resistance group calling itself the Brave Warriors for Myanmar claimed that nine military personnel, including two officers, were killed during its attack on the regime’s No. 21 Defense Equipment Factory in Seikphyu Township on Saturday. Seikphyu is located 73 miles (117 km) south of the regional capital Magway. 

“The number of casualties, deaths and damages could be increasing. We are quite satisfied with this mission,” the group’s spokesperson told DVB. He added that the military carried out an artillery attack in response. The Defense Equipment Factory, also known as KaPaSa, produces various munitions allegedly used in airstrikes.

MANDALAY—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) claimed that four civilians were killed and two homes were destroyed in Nyaungkon village of Taungtha Township, by two Burma Air Force members from Meiktila Air Base using paramotors, on Saturday. Taungtha is located 82 miles (131 km) southwest of Mandalay. 

“Those things used to come at night time. It happens frequently during this month, causing civilian casualties,” the PDF spokesperson told DVB. He added that at least six rounds of attacks were conducted by the military on Taungtha from Dec. 25 to Jan. 18. Paramotors are a motorized steerable parachute, which can carry at least one pilot, that can fly at speeds from 30-90 miles per hour. 

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,630 MMK)

Military regime and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army sign second China-brokered ceasefire deal

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The Brotherhood Alliance at the entrance to the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) seized control of Lashio, Shan State, on Aug. 3. (Credit: MNDAA)

The regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power after the 2021 military coup, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reached a formal ceasefire agreement on Saturday after the second round of China-brokered talks began in Kunming on Jan. 16.

“Stabilizing the situation in northern Myanmar aligns with the interests of all stakeholders in Myanmar and the region, enhancing security, stability, and development along the China-Myanmar border,” said Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She added that China will continue to support the “peace process” in northern Shan State.

This ceasefire agreement is the second time both sides have agreed to halt the fighting after last January’s China-brokered talks in Kunming. The first round of the revived peace talks began last month in Kunming but broke down when the regime refused to recognize the ethnic armed group’s control of Lashio, the largest city in northern Shan which fell to the MNDAA after it seized the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3. 

Details over areas under MNDAA control, including the Kokang Self-Administered Zone’s Laukkai, and the China-Myanmar border towns of Chinshwehaw, Monekoe, Hpawnghseng, Konkyan, Pan Lon, Kunlong, Hsenwi (Theinni), Tamoenye and Pang Hseng, were not made public.

All towns were seized by the MNDAA during Operation 1027, which was launched by the Brotherhood Alliance on Oct. 27, 2023. The alliance includes the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA).

The TNLA has seized 12 townships in northern Shan, including Mogok in Mandalay Region. The AA has 14 out of Arakan State’s 17 townships under its control. Both continue fighting the military despite a pledge for peace made by the TNLA on Nov. 25. A similar sentiment has been shared by the AA since it seized the Western RMC in Ann Township last month.

The first China-brokered ceasefire agreement began last year on Jan. 11 and ended on June 25 as the Brotherhood Alliance cited the military continual violations of the agreement due to airstrikes on areas under its control.

The regime launched airstrikes on Hsenwi on Jan. 1, which destroyed an unknown number of homes but no casualty figures were shared by the MNDAA.

REUTERS

Malaysia discusses Myanmar crisis since 2021 coup at ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Langkawi

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The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers’ Retreat was held in Langkawi, Malaysia, Jan. 18-19. Regime Permanent Secretary to ASEAN Aung Kyaw Moe (second from left) attended despite high-level regime officials being barred from its meetings and summits for Min Aung Hlaing's refusal to implement its Five-Point Consensus after he agreed to it in April 2021. (Credit: ASEAN)

Malaysia opened its first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting of the year with the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat in Langkawi on Saturday. Myanmar’s crisis, which has engulfed the nation since the 2021 military coup, was discussed Jan. 18-19. Regime Permanent Secretary to ASEAN Aung Kyaw Moe addressed the delegates about its tentative plan for elections in November.

“We emphasized that the election must be inclusive and involve all stakeholders, not conducted in isolation,” stated Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan. “We made it clear that the election is not our priority. Our main concern is to end the violence.” Malaysia Foreign Ministry Secretary General Amran Mohammed Zin told the media that the effort of ASEAN is focused on resolving Myanmar’s crisis. 

Reuters reported that Malaysia appointed diplomat Othman Hashim as the ASEAN Special Envoy for Myanmar on Sunday. Othman is the former secretary general of Malaysia’s foreign ministry and was selected to try to implement the ASEAN Five Point Consensus, a peace plan agreed to by Min Aung Hlaing but not implemented upon his return to Myanmar in April 2021.

Malaysia, who facilitated Myanmar’s entry into ASEAN as chair in 1997, is planning to adopt a more proactive approach as the 2021 coup has fuelled the rise of criminal activities, online cyber scams, and human trafficking along the country’s borders. But it has yet to reach out to the civilian-led National Unity Government (NUG) nor ethnic armed groups, which have led the uprising and mounting resistance to the 2021 coup.

Malaysia will host more than 300 meetings and summits throughout the year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability.” Previously, Malaysia chaired ASEAN in 1977, 1997, 2005 and 2015.

Myanmar nationals in South Korea to receive assistance; Human Rights Watch releases its World Report 2025

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A protest against China's support for the regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power following the 2021 military coup, in Daegu, South Korea on Dec. 2. (Credit: Kyaw San)

Myanmar nationals in South Korea to receive assistance

Burma nationals and the National Unity Government (NUG) representative office in South Korea told DVB that the Ministry of Justice in Seoul announced on Thursday that it would continue to support migrant workers and students from Burma unable to extend their stay at the embassy. 

“It will allow those who have difficulty renewing their visas to stay legally until the political situation improves,” Kyaw San, a pro-democracy activist in South Korea told DVB. The NUG Administrative Officer in South Korea Win Paw Maung called on all in South Korea to support the resistance to the 2021 military coup. 

The South Korean government stated that nearly 6,000 from Burma have humanitarian visas, which allows them to remain in South Korea without being deported. The Burma Embassy in Seoul warned nationals against renewing their passports using NUG issued stamps. The NUG claimed that it has processed nearly 1,000 passport renewals since July. 

Human Rights Watch releases World Report 2025 

The military has intensified its “scorched earth” tactics against civilians in Burma through the use of indiscriminate airstrikes, forced recruitment, and unlawful detentions, in response to the armed uprising and territorial losses to anti-regime forces since the 2021 coup, states Human Rights Watch (HRW) in its World Report 2025 released on Friday.

“It’s very important that at this moment when some of these [resistance] groups are also looking for international legitimacy, that donors and the international community are also ensuring that there is pressure to ensure that human rights standards are being met,” Elaine Pearson, the HRW Asia director, told DVB at a press conference in Bangkok on Jan. 17.

The U.N. has called Burma “an abyss of human suffering” as it has verified the death of over 5,600 civilians, including 1,160 women and 624 children, killed by the military since 2021. It has documented over 3.5 million people who are currently displaced from their homes and are listed as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). The number of those impacted by recent flooding across Burma is nearly 900,000.

Moon Nay Li, the joint general secretary at the Women’s League of Burma, joined us in the DVB Newsroom on Jan. 6. (Credit: DVB)

Moon Nay Li on a feminist approach to federalism

The Women’ s League of Burma (WLB) celebrated its 25th anniversary in Chiang Mai, Thailand on Dec. 9 under the theme of “25 Years of Feminist Federalism.” Moon Nay Li, the WLB general secretary, joined us in the DVB Newsroom to discuss what this means for women in Burma and how its shaping its feminist approach to federalism.

“This is very important for general peace and transforming the dynamic of democracy in our country because most of our activity, including directly the [political] issues, is [being led] by the men and also most of the male leaders do not really understand about the [on-the-]ground situation and what’s happening to the children, the women, and all the people,” she told DVB. 

To learn more about Moon Nay Li’s 18 years of work on human rights and women’s participation, as well as the WLB’s work over the last 25 years, watch DVB Newsroom season 2 episode 6 on DVB English News YouTube or Spotify. It’s also available to listen to on Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, Audible, Amazon Music, or wherever you get podcasts.

News by Region 

NAYPYIDAW—Regime media reported that Sanjay Mathur, the U.N. Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Asia regional director, and Sara Austin Netzer, the UNOPS country director in Burma, met with regime officials in Naypyidaw on Thursday. 

Mathur held a separate meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Than Swe, and Investment Minister Kan Zaw to discuss “enhancing cooperation” between the regime and UNOPS. Several high-ranking U.N. officials have met with Min Aung Hlaing, and have presented their credentials to the regime, in Naypyidaw since the 2021 coup. 

SHAN—Three civilians, including a seven-year-old, were killed and 14 others were injured by artillery which struck a camp for IDPs near Phyar Taung village of Naungshwe Township on Friday. Residents told DVB that both the military and Pa-O National Organization (PNO) were involved in the attack. Nyaung Shwe is located 12 miles (20 km) south of the Shan State capital Taunggyi. 

“There is no current fighting in the area. I just wonder why the PNO would kill its own ethnic people,” a Naungshwe resident told DVB. The camp for IDPs is situated near Pinlaung Township, located 24 miles (40 km) southeast of Taunggyi, where fighting between Karenni resistance forces and pro-regime forces, including the PNO, has been ongoing.

The Danu People’s Liberation Army/Front (DPLA/F) told DVB that an airstrike carried out by the Burma Air Force killed three and injured 13 in Lawksawk (Yatsauk) Township, located 52 miles (84 km) north of Taunggyi, on Thursday. The DPLA/F was established in August 2022.

“This is just what the military does. The airstrike and artillery fire is going to continue,” a DPLA/F member told DVB. Along with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the DPLA/F has seized control of Nawnghkio and Mongmit in northern Shan State, and Mogok in Mandalay Region. 

SAGAING—Airstrikes killed two, including an infant, and injured seven others in Khampat town and at a monastery in Kanan village of Tamu Township, located 275 miles (442 km) north of the regional capital Sagaing, on Thursday. The People’s Defense Force (PDF) seized control of Khampat on Nov. 5, 2023.  

“A [resistance] member was among the victims,” a Khampat resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The two airstrikes damaged 15 buildings, including the monastery and pagodas. Pro-military social media channels said the military attacked a PDF office in Khampat.

(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,620 MMK)

Read: How Bangladesh is failing the Rohingya. Find DVB English News on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads & TikTok. Subscribe to us on YouTube.

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