Regime to intensify counteroffensives ahead of elections
Sources close to the military told DVB that the regime in Naypyidaw is planning to retake territory lost to resistance forces nationwide ahead of the general elections it has scheduled to begin on Dec. 28. This follows a meeting held by the National Unity Government (NUG) with commanders of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) to discuss its response to current regime counteroffensives from Aug. 23-25.
“We must remember the regime is deliberately conducting psychological operations to break the spirits of the people and the resistance,” Nay Phone Latt, the NUG spokesperson, told DVB on Aug. 17. A military source said on the condition of anonymity that reinforcements have been sent to Kyaukphyu Township in Arakan State, Bhamo Township in Kachin State, northern Shan State, as well as Mogok Township in Mandalay Region.
These three towns have seen intense fighting between regime and resistance forces. The regime has retaken control of Moebye town in southern Shan, Nawnghkio town in northern Shan, Thabeikkyin town in Mandalay Region, and Demoso town in Karenni State, over the last two months. The first phase of elections will be held in 102 of Burma’s 330 townships, according to the Union Election Commission (UEC).
Karen resistance forces ‘kill’ 70 military personnel
Sources on the frontline in Karen State told DVB that fighting between the regime’s Aung Zeya column and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) continued on the Kawkareik-Myawaddy stretch of the Asia Highway on Tuesday. Myawaddy is located 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
A KNLA source told DVB that resistance forces killed over 70 regime troops and wounded 60 other military personnel during two days of fighting with the Aung Zeya column on Aug. 9 and 15. Residents told DVB that regime outposts in Kyondoe town provided artillery support to its forces. Kyondoe is located 41 miles (66 km) west of Myawaddy and 41 miles (66 km) southeast of Hpa-An.
A regime source told DVB that over 30 recently-trained military conscripts deserted from the Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 545 in Kyondoe and that troops are still searching for them. The regime launched the Aung Zeya column as a counteroffensive against KNLA-led resistance forces after it seized control of the vital Burma-Thailand border town of Myawaddy for 12 days in April 2024.
Over 100 civilians killed in Karenni State since January
Residents of Karenni State, currently staying at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps, told DVB that three civilians were injured by airstrikes carried out by the Burma Air Force on camps located in Demoso Township on Monday. Demoso is located 11 miles (17 km) south of the Karenni State capital Loikaw.
The Progressive Karenni People Force (PKPF) stated that regime air and artillery strikes have killed 106 civilians in Karenni State since January. It added that the total number of fatalities in 2024 was 106. Fighting between Karenni resistance and regime forces has intensified in Hpasawng, Demoso and Hpruso towns since July.
A PKPF spokesperson told DVB that regime forces have targeted civilian areas, including Mawchi town in Hpasawng Township where at least 32 civilians were reported killed by airstrikes on Aug. 17. Hpasawng is located 73 miles (117 km) south of Loikaw. Karenni resistance forces control Shadaw and Mese townships with partial control of Hpasawng. Loikaw and Bawlakhe townships are under full regime control.
News by Region
MAGWAY—The PDF told DVB that residents from at least five villages in Pauk Township have been forced to flee their homes due to airstrikes and a regime offensive since Sunday. Pauk, located 136 miles (218 km) north of the region’s capital Magway, was among 63 townships placed under martial law on July 31.
“No civilian casualties or fatalities have been reported,” a PDF member told DVB, warning residents of more airstrikes. Over 60 bombs have been dropped on Pauk and military personnel from the Directorate of Defence Industries (DDI) 24 have carried out attacks since Aug. 31, according to the PDF.
SAGAING—Residents of Pale Township told DVB that the regime launched a counteroffensive to retake the Kandaung village outpost from Burma’s revived People’s Liberation Army (PLA), and its allied resistance forces, on Monday. Pale is located 40 miles (64 km) southwest of the region’s capital Monywa.
Pale was seized by the PLA-led resistance forces on June 19. A member of an unnamed resistance group told DVB on the condition of anonymity that they used landmines to halt a military column from advancing into Pale. No casualties were reported by resistance or regime forces.
SHAN—The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) claimed that 46 civilians have been killed and 55 have been injured by air and artillery attacks in Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Monglon and Mongngaw townships in northern Shan, as well as Mogok Township in Mandalay Region, since August.
The TNLA added that 27 civilians were killed, including children, and 82 were injured by air-and artillery attacks in Kutkai, Kyaukme, Monglon, Mongngaw, Nawnghkio and Mogok in July. Five of the six townships were placed under martial law on July 31. Nawngkhio was taken from the TNLA by regime forces on July 16.
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