Ta’ang National Liberation Army to ‘escort’ military into Mogok
Residents of Mogok Township in Mandalay Region told DVB that the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) informed its allied resistance forces, including the People’s Defence Force (PDF), that it will escort regime forces into the town when it completes its withdrawal on Nov. 29.
“The TNLA informed us that it’ll bring in regime forces and withdraw from the town once they’re settled. I think that it will keep a liaison office,” Soe Htay, a Mogok resident, told DVB. He and other residents were in discussion with the National Unity Government (NUG) to administer the town, with the PDF to provide security, last week.
The withdrawal plan was reportedly made at a meeting between the TNLA and the regime in China on Nov. 15, following a Chinese-brokered ceasefire agreement reached between the TNLA and Naypyidaw on Oct. 29. DVB contacted Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, about the withdrawal plan but is still awaiting a response. Read more
Human Rights Watch rejects regime’s 2025-26 elections
Human Rights Watch called on the international community to reject the regime’s 2025-26 elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 and continue into January 2026. It added that elections in Burma will not be “free, fair, or inclusive” since the regime has escalated repression ahead of the polls by prosecuting over 120 citizens for alleged “election disruption” under the new Election Protection Law.
“Governments lending any credibility to these polls would signal a complete lack of support for rights-respecting civilian democratic rule in Myanmar,” said Elaine Pearson, the Asia director at Human Rights Watch, adding that the elections are “a desperate bid for international legitimacy” after the military staged a coup on Feb. 1, 2021, which ended Burma’s democratic transition that began nine years earlier, in 2012.
That is when Aung San Suu Kyi was elected to parliament under the National League for Democracy (NLD) party, which became the government after a landslide victory in the 2015 elections and was re-elected with an even larger mandate in the 2020 elections. The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called an election in Burma “unfathomable” during an interview with AFP on Nov. 10.
DVB Peacock Film Festival returns to Chiang Mai, Thailand
The Democratic Voice of Burma (DVB) is proud to announce the DVB Peacock Film Festival 2025, a celebration of untold stories from Burma. The festival will take place Dec. 8–10 at the Chiang Mai University Communication Innovation Center (CIC). This festival highlights films that explore human rights, social justice, cultural diversity, and freedom of expression.
“Our festival works hard to amplify the voices of the people and to shine a light on ongoing human rights violations in Myanmar. These efforts have not only increased public interest locally but have also increased attention from international audiences, especially when the films are screened at festivals abroad,” said Chan Thiri Soe, the director of the DVB Peacock Film Festival.
The Peacock has a symbol of resilience and freedom throughout the history of Burma. Through film screenings, filmmaker discussions, and workshops, the festival seeks to shine a spotlight on Burma’s ongoing struggle to oppose military dictatorship since the 2021 coup. It celebrates the creativity and bravery of filmmakers from Burma who risk everything to tell the people’s stories. Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—A source close to the Arakan Army told DVB that at least 20 regime troops were killed by artillery during fighting in Minpyin village of Kyaukphyu Township on Friday. Kyaukphyu is located 317 miles (510 km) south of the state capital Sittwe.
The source told DVB that the AA attacked regime forces while they were posing for a photo after recapturing a military outpost. Fourteen out of Arakan’s 17 townships were seized by the AA. Sittwe, Kyaukphyu and Manaung townships are under regime control.
CHINLAND—Nearly 300 residents of Paletwa Township were diagnosed with dysentery with 30 in critical condition so far this month, reported the AA Health Department on Nov. 12. No deaths have been reported. Paletwa, located 287 miles (461 km) southwest of the state capital Hakha, was seized by the AA in January 2024.
A merchant from Arakan State told DVB that the disease likely spread from India’s Mizoram State. Residents in areas under AA control, which includes 14 Arakan townships, rely on cross-border trade with India for basic food items, medicine and fuel since late 2023 due to a military road and sea blockade.
SHAN—Residents in Hsipaw Township told DVB that the military has blocked the 45 mile (72 km) long road to Lashio Township since Friday to stop “illegal trading.” Regime forces regained control of Hsipaw from the TNLA on Oct. 17, while Lashio was handed over by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in April.
A Lashio resident told DVB that the regime wants to scrutinize those entering Hsipaw. Shwe Phee Myay News Agency reported that the regime wants the MNDAA to retreat from the Hsipaw-Lashio road by Nov. 20, but the MNDAA refused during a meeting in the regional capital on Nov. 11.
TANINTHARYI—Fighting between regime forces and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) broke out near Theinkhun village 41 miles (51 km) west of Mawtaung town, Tanintharyi Region, on Saturday. Mawtaung, located 248 miles (399 km) southeast of the region’s capital Dawei, was seized by KNLA-led resistance forces on Nov. 14.
A Mawtaung resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that airstrikes cleared resistance forces from the road leading to Theinkhun on Nov. 15. No casualties were reported. A source close to the resistance told DVB that the military reinforced its positions in Thephyu village, 32 miles (51 km) west of Mawtaung on Nov. 15. Read more
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