Members of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that they lost a “large swath of territory” to regime forces across Madaya Township this month. Madaya is located 25 miles (40 km) north of the region’s capital Mandalay.
“We lost territory in eastern and western parts of Madaya due to the regime’s counteroffensive assisted by airstrikes, drone strikes and artillery attacks,” a PDF spokesperson told DVB. He added that he felt saddened by the loss of territory and that the PDF couldn’t respond to the regime’s overwhelming air and firepower.
A resident of Madaya told DVB that the regime counteroffensive, involving around 300 troops, has been ongoing over the last two months.
The PDF in Mandalay announced in July 2024 that it seized 35 regime outposts in Madaya. It has not disclosed the number of outposts recaptured by regime forces from the PDF so far this month.
A PDF member in Myingyan District told DVB on the condition of anonymity that both the military and the PDF suffered heavy casualties in fighting across Myingyan, Natogyi, Taungtha and Mahlaing townships. Myingyan is located 69 miles (111 km) southwest of Mandalay.
The PDF added that regime forces launched a counteroffensive against resistance forces in Myingyan in September to keep them from joining forces with the PDF in Magway Region. Myingyan is located 33 miles (53 km) east of Pakokku Township in Magway.
At least 12 civilians were killed and more than 10 others were injured by airstrikes last weekend, residents of Mogok, Natogyi, and Thabeikkyin townships in Mandalay Region told DVB.
At least 60 civilians were killed in eight airstrikes carried out by the Myanmar Air Force in Mandalay’s Mogok Township in August and September, according to DVB data.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) seized Mogok in July 2024, and the PDF seized Natogyi in the following month. Thabeikkyin was seized by the PDF in August 2024 but was recaptured by regime forces on July 23.
Natogyi, Mogok, and Thabeikkyin are located 63 miles (101 km) south, 124 miles (200 km) northeast, and 90 miles (144 km) north of Mandalay.
The regime Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 — with polls to continue into January 2026 — will not be held in Mandalay’s Natogyi, Singu, and Mogok townships. Mandalay Region has a total of 28 townships.
