Regime releases 3,085 political prisoners in amnesty
A total of 3,085 political prisoners have been released in a regime amnesty on Thursday, according to the National Defence and Security Council (NDSC) on Nov. 26. Those released had been convicted under Section 505-A of the Penal Code which criminalizes spreading false information. The regime added that 724 were freed on the condition that if they re-offend a new sentence would be tacked on to their previous sentence.
Regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stated on Wednesday that the amnesty was meant to “ensure that all eligible voters do not lose their voting rights” in the upcoming 2025–2026 elections, which begin on Dec. 28 and continue into January 2026. A total of 5,580 people charged under Section 505-A, and Section 512 of criminal procedure for evading arrest, have also been pardoned in the amnesty, according to the regime’s NDSC.
Section 505-A is a provision added by the regime on Feb. 14, 2021, after the coup, which criminalizes spreading false information that causes public fear or encourages government officials to commit offences, and carries a prison sentence of up to three years. A total of 30,031 political prisoners have been jailed since 2021, and 22,708 of them remain in detention, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP). Read more
Election-related international crimes investigation
The Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) stated that war crimes, or crimes against humanity, may be taking place against civilians in Burma in the lead-up to the regime’s 2025-26 elections. While polls fall outside its mandate, the IIMM added that it has received a rising number of reports of human rights violations against civilians.
“I want to make it clear to all parties that targeting civilians is a violation of the laws of war,” wrote Nicholas Koumjian, the IIMM head, on Nov. 26. He warned that “attacks on anyone participating in the elections, such as political candidates and people involved in counting votes, may be considered war crimes or crimes against humanity.” He also noted how Naypyidaw is prosecuting anyone who criticizes the elections.
Regime media reported that 194 people have been arrested for “disrupting the elections” under its new Election Protection Law. IIMM stated that it is also investigating a rise in the use of airstrikes against civilian areas as the regime seeks to regain territory lost to resistance forces since the uprising to the 2021 coup began, in an effort to expand voting to areas not currently under Naypyidaw’s control. Read more
Handover of Mandalay’s Mogok town to Naypyidaw control begins
Nearly 170 regime troops have entered Mogok Township escorted by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) since Nov. 20, ahead of the scheduled handover to the military by Nov. 29, the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB. Mogok, 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, is a source of revenue for both the regime and ethnic armed groups due to its lucrative ruby mining industry.
A PDF member told DVB on the condition of anonymity that most residents had fled their homes in advance of regime forces taking control of Mogok at the end of November, as part of its China-brokered ceasefire deal with the TNLA reached on Oct. 29. Residents told DVB that the price of passenger bus tickets to Mandalay, or elsewhere, have risen to 800,000 MMK ($200 USD) per person.
An unknown number of regime troops have entered Momeik Township in northern Shan State and have positioned themselves in homes belonging to residents since Nov. 20. Momeik, located 170 miles (273 km) west of the regional capital Lashio, is also a part of the ceasefire handover deal between the TNLA and the regime. Both Mogok and Momeik were seized by the TNLA in July 2024. Read more
News by Region
AYEYARWADY—Two civilians, including a pregnant woman, were killed and four others were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Watkone village of Lemyethna township on Tuesday. Lemyethna is located 75 miles (120 km) north of the region’s capital Pathein.
A resident claimed that two fighter jets dropped bombs on the village, which destroyed at least 14 homes. The village is home to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). At least 24 civilians were killed in airstrikes on Lemyethna’s Sapyin village on Oct. 23. No fighting was reported between regime and resistance forces in the region.
KACHIN—A source close to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that it detained an undisclosed number of regime troops in three villages of Hpakant Township on Tuesday. Hpakant is located 94-158 miles (151-254 km) west and northwest of the state capital Myitkyina and the KIA headquarters of Laiza.
A resident in Machanbaw Township told DVB that the regime has reinforced its Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 137 following fighting with the KIA Nov. 10-17. Machanbaw is located 222-278 miles (357-447 km) north of Myitkyina and Laiza. Fighting in Hpakant between the KIA and regime forces began on June 16.
SAGAING—Residents of Mingin Township told DVB that at least 20 bombs struck gold mining sites along the Chindwin River, near Laungpyae village, in airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on Thursday. Mingin is located 114 miles (183 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.
A PDF member told DVB that no casualties were reported but that rescue operations have not been conducted. At least 20 civilians were killed and 50 others were injured in airstrikes on Laungpyae village on Nov. 22. Mingin is partly controlled by the PDF and administered by the National Unity Government (NUG).
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,050 MMK)
