Regime in Naypyidaw marks 80th Armed Forces Day
The regime held a military parade to mark the 80th Armed Forces Day, also known as the Revolution Day, on Thursday evening to avoid “extreme heat” during the day. Regime media reported that the parade was held at an undisclosed location in Naypyidaw. The regime held its annual parade in the evening for the first time last year, marking a departure from their traditional morning ceremonies.
“We are confident that, in the near future, we will secure victory for all the people and establish a federal army…that will protect and serve the people,” the National Unity Government (NUG) stated on Thursday, adding that the past four years since the 2021 military coup have been a “modern fascist era.” Regime media reported that Min Aung Hlaing met with retired military officials in Naypyidaw on Wednesday.
The former generals, including former President Thein Sein, praised Min Aung Hlaing’s regime, which seized power in Naypyidaw following the 2021 coup. Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin attended a dinner hosted in Naypyidaw. Min Aung Hlaing ousted the National League for Democracy (NLD) government and jailed State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President Win Myint on Feb. 1, 2021.
Changes to military conscription in Mandalay Region
The regime adopted a new lottery system for the 12th intake of military conscripts in Mahar Aungmyay Township of Mandalay Region on Monday, according to residents. The lottery system now requires men aged 18 to 35, or their family members, to draw a number from 1 to over 700. They are then conscripted into the military in sequential order of the number selected.
“I think they’re running out of people to recruit. If the son is away, they’re taking the father instead,” a Mandalay resident told DVB on condition of anonymity. At least three people from the township are required to attend military training per month. Students must submit their identification cards along with verification letters from their schools confirming attendance to be exempted from conscription during their studies.
Regime deputy Prime Minister Soe Win accused military recruitment officials of accepting bribes to grant exemptions for conscription aged men during a meeting in Kalaw Township of southern Shan State on March 20. The regime enforced its military conscription law on Feb. 10, 2024. Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stated last year that the regime will draft 5,000 conscripts per month to meet a shortage of troops.
News by Region
ARAKAN—The Burma Navy arrested nine fishermen from Kyaukphyu Township and charged them under the Myanmar Territorial Sea and Maritime Zones Law on Tuesday. If convicted, the nine can face imprisonment not exceeding seven years. Kyaukphyu is located 315 miles (506 km) south of the state capital Sittwe. It is under regime control.
“There were two fishing boats in the sea near Kyaukphyu. One of the boats with nine fishermen was stopped by a navy ship on March 22,” a Kyaukphyu resident told Narinjara News. They were transferred to Kyaukphyu police station on March 25. The Arakan Army (AA) stated that it will take action against illegal fishing in its territorial waters.
SAGAING—A regime court sentenced over 50 residents of Thetkelkyin village to five years in prison on charges of terrorism in Monywa Township on Wednesday. The 50 were arrested on March 14, 2024, a source close to them told DVB. Four residents were killed and over 480 homes were burned down by regime forces during the arrest.
“The regime arrested over 60 people at that time, including women. Some have been released in the meantime. The exact number is still unknown,” a member of the Monywa People’s Security Force told DVB on condition of anonymity. DVB requested comment from the No. 1 Monywa police station but received no response.
SHAN—Sources close to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) told DVB that a third round of peace talks with the regime held March 22-14 in China failed. Lashio, in northern Shan State, came under MNDAA control after it seized the Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3.
“As far as I know, the military asked the MNDAA to hand back Lashio but it refused. That is the main reason for this talk’s failure,” a source close to MNDAA told DVB. It reached a formal ceasefire agreement with the regime after the second round of China-brokered talks in Kunming on Jan. 18.
Residents of Nawnghkio Township told local media that four civilians were killed and four others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force in three villages on Wednesday. Nawnghkio is located 96 miles (154 km) south of the region’s capital Lashio and 147 miles (236 km) north of the state capital Taunggyi.
“Two men and two women were killed in Thonese village. The four injured individuals are from other villages,” a Nawnghkio resident told Shwe Phee Myay News Agency. On March 16, ten residents were killed by airstrikes in Nawnghkio. Regime forces recaptured an outpost there on Tuesday, which had been seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army.
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