Pro-democracy activist arrested in Mandalay Region
The Yadanabon University Students’ Union shared on social media Wednesday that its former chairperson Htet Myat Aung, 24, was arrested by regime police in Mandalay Region sometime after they lost contact with him on Dec. 14. He is one of the 10 pro-democracy activists, including Tayzar San, who were charged under the Election Protection Law for protesting against the regime elections in Mandalay on Dec. 3.
Aye Myint Aung Aung, a member of the anti-2021 military coup General Strike Coordination Body (GSCB), told DVB that they confirmed on Dec. 17 that Htet Myat Aung had been arrested by regime police. The GSCB called on the media and foreign embassies to report on the pro-democracy activist’s detention amid fears he could be tortured or killed. The GSCB added that Htet Myat Aung is one of its members.
Regime Home Affairs Minister Tun Tun Naung stated that actions have been taken against 229 people – 201 males and 28 females – under the Election Protection Law for “attempting to sabotage election processes,” regime media reported on Dec. 17. A total of 258 individuals have been charged, 47 have been arrested and eight have been convicted, under this law since July 29, according to DVB data.
Myitsone dam project in Kachin State to be revived
Deputy regime leader Soe Win told an audience in the Kachin State capital Myitkyina on Tuesday that the Myitsone hydropower dam project will be resumed, regime media reported. He said that hydropower should be prioritized as it is the most cost-effective energy source at 82 MMK ($0.02 USD) per unit, compared to 171 MMK ($0.04 USD) for solar, 215 MMK ($0.05 USD) for coal and 235 MMK ($0.05 USD) for natural gas.
The regime media report added that the project includes six sites along the Maykha and Malikha rivers in Kachin State with a total capacity of 19,099 megawatts, of which 6,000 megawatts will be generated from the Myitsone dam. The China-backed project was first outlined in 2009 but suspended in 2011 due to public opposition over earthquake risks as it is located 16 miles (25.4 km) northeast of the Sagaing Fault.
The 7.7 magnitude earthquake on March 28 that killed at least 4,477 people nationwide occurred along the Sagaing Fault and within its fault zone, according to experts. Regime deputy Soe Win said experts from the Asia Charter Professional Engineer (ACPE) recommended designing the dam to withstand even stronger earthquakes. A Myitkyina resident told DVB that people living in Kachin State would once again oppose the project.
Four killed during airstrikes on Sagaing Region
At least four civilians were killed and five others were injured by airstrikes in Wetlet Township carried out by the Burma Air Force on Saetaw village, east of Wetlet town, Sagaing Region, on Wednesday. Residents claimed that there was no fighting between regime and resistance forces in Wetlet, which is located 50 miles (80 km) east of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.
“A fighter jet dropped bombs on the village, destroying at least three civilians’ homes and one vehicle. Two more vehicles were also damaged,” Nagarlay, the spokesperson of the Wetlet Information Network, told DVB. The Wetlet Information Network, established after the 2021 coup, shares news and updates of resistance activities in Sagaing Region via its social media page.
The regime placed nine Sagaing townships, including Wetlet, under martial law on July 31. The regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) is unable to hold elections in 10 of Sagaing’s 37 townships, including Wetlet. Four civilians including a four-year-old girl were killed and over 10 others were injured by airstrikes on Wetlet’s Htonebo village on Dec. 13.
News by Region
ARAKAN—Covering news in Arakan State has grown more challenging for media outlets since the Arakan Army (AA) launched its offensive against the military on Nov. 13, 2023 and has since seized 14 of 17 townships. The regime has imposed a land and sea blockade, which has lasted for over two years.
“The number of Rakhine journalists who quit their jobs may increase as a result of stress brought on by inconsistent pay and a lack of security,” Myo Min, a reporter in Arakan, told DVB. The AA detained Border News Agency (BNA) reporter Mu Dra at her home in Maungdaw Township on Sept. 20. Read more
MANDALAY—Residents in Mogok Township told DVB that the People’s Defence Force (PDF) launched drone attacks against regime positions on Wednesday. Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, was handed to regime forces by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Nov. 28, as a part of a China-brokered ceasefire deal reached on Oct. 28.
A Mogok resident told DVB that regime forces reinforced positions in the town on Dec. 15-16. Another resident said that PDF members positioned themselves in forests along the roads leading into Mogok, adding that most residents have not yet returned to their homes due to the fighting.
NAYPYIDAW—Regime media reported that Pakistan will send an election observation team to Burma to monitor the regime elections, starting on Dec. 28 and continuing into January 2026. Tariq Karim, Pakistan’s ambassador to Burma, met with Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Tuesday.
The two reportedly discussed strengthening bilateral relations, including cooperation in trade, economics, defence, health, and political affairs. Belarus, China and Russia have pledged to send election observers to monitor the regime elections, according to previous regime media reports.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,010 MMK)
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