Regime forces retake northern Shan State’s Kyaukme
Pro-regime media reported on Thursday that regime forces recovered 61 bodies of “terrorists” after recapturing northern Shan State’s Kyaukme town from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Wednesday, following a 21-day counteroffensive. Kyaukme, located 68 miles (109 km) southwest of the regional capital Lashio, was seized by the TNLA in August 2024.
“The regime troops are in the town,” a Kyaukme resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that he only heard gunfire coming from the direction of regime forces. The number of casualties was not reported from either the regime or the TNLA. Regime media reported that the TNLA fought alongside the Danu People’s Liberation Army (DPLA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF).
The regime claimed that the TNLA-led forces set fire to government offices in Kyaukme, including the power station, the police station, and the fire services department, on Sept. 30. The TNLA countered this claim on Oct. 1, stating that regime forces used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), or drones, to drop incendiary bombs on these buildings. Read more
Justice for Myanmar awarded ‘alternative Nobel Prize’
Whistleblower group Justice For Myanmar (JFM) was awarded the 2025 Right Livelihood Award, dubbed the “alternative Nobel Prize,” which recognised its “courageous and pioneering efforts to dismantle the financial networks sustaining the military regime,” Ole von Uexkull, the Right Livelihood Foundation executive director, stated in a press release on Wednesday.
Justice for Myanmar spokesperson Yadanar Maung said that this award honours “those who continue to resist the military [regime] with extraordinary courage, dignity, and strength.” Founded in 2019, JFM began tracking the military’s financial networks before the 2021 coup. Since 2021, the whistleblowing group has investigated alleged military human rights violations and war crimes.
The Right Livelihood Award was created in 1980. It has honoured 203 laureates from 81 countries, including human rights defenders in Ukraine, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the United States. This year’s laureates include activists from the Pacific Islands, Taiwan and Sudan. This is the first time an organisation working on Burma has received the prize in its 45-year history.
National League for Democracy chief minister hospitalized
Jailed National League for Democracy (NLD) Sagaing Region Chief Minister Myint Naing has been receiving treatment for a gastrointestinal disease at the Mandalay General Hospital in Mandalay Region since Sept. 25, according to his family. The 74-year-old NLD executive member has been serving a 25-year sentence at Myingyan Prison in Mandalay since Aug. 2, 2022.
“We learned that doctors found a lump in his digestive tract,” a family friend told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that Myint Naing had been fitted with a mechanical heart 11 years ago and has been suffering from shortness of breath recently. Myint Naing’s family did not respond to a DVB request for more information.
At least 18 political prisoners have died due to a lack of adequate medical treatment this year, according to the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM). The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) has documented that 22,464 political prisoners have been detained since the 2021 military coup and are being held in prisons nationwide by the regime.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The Arakan Army (AA) stated that it discovered human remains near Inchaung village in Maungdaw Township on Sept. 28. It accused the Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) of killing six civilians. The AA seized Maungdaw on Dec. 8, which brought the entire 167 mile (270 km) long Burma-Bangladesh border under its control.
A resident of Mingyi village told DVB on the condition of anonymity that they are afraid of ARSA and will not visit their farms. The AA suspects that the remains belonged to residents of two villages in Maungdaw that were reported missing. It added that forensic scientists are working to identify them.
KARENNI—The Progressive Karenni People’s Force (PKPF) stated on Wednesday that a total of 106 civilians have been killed in regime attacks in the state from January to September. Over 30 were killed by airstrikes in Hpasawng Township, 73 miles (117 km) south of the state capital Loikaw, in August.
Fighting between Karenni resistance and regime forces is ongoing along the Demoso-Hpruso and Hpruso-Bawlakhe roads. A total of 324 homes, five religious buildings, four schools and three clinics were destroyed in 150 clashes and 300 airstrikes since January. The PKPF added that a total of 820 civilians have been killed in Karenni since the Feb. 1, 2021 coup.
NAYPYIDAW—Election watchdogs told DVB that the electronic voting system violates voters’ right to abstain since they lack a “no vote” option. Voters are required to present their Unique Identity (UID) card—a 10-digit number issued by the regime since late 2023—along with their National Registration Card to vote.
“The main concern is that regime staff might collect voters’ personal data and information on their preferred politicians,” a researcher told DVB on the condition of anonymity. The regime Union Election Commission (UEC) has stated previously, via pro-regime media, that voters have the right to abstain.
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