Thousands newly displaced in Shan and Karenni states
Sources close to Karenni resistance forces told DVB that regime forces have launched a counteroffensive to retake control of the surrounding areas of Moebye, Pekon and Pinlaung towns, which are located between southern Shan and Karenni states, since Nov. 1. The towns are located 11-56 miles (17-90 km) northwest of the Karenni State capital Loikaw, and 68-100 miles (109-161 km) south of the Shan State capital Taunggyi.
A member of the Karenni resistance told DVB, on the condition of anonymity, that troops from the regime’s Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 422 and 336 in Moebye are trying to recapture surrounding hills and villages from resistance forces after the regime retook control of Moebye town on July 2, which was seized in late 2023. He added that airstrikes have been carried out on the surrounding areas. No casualties were reported.
The Shan Herald Agency for News (SHAN) reported that over 5,000 residents from Pekon and Pinlaung need humanitarian aid after taking shelter in nearby villages and forests in September. A Karenni resistance source in Pekon told DVB that regime forces are trying to retake control of the Pinlaung-Loikaw road and force residents to return to Moebye and Pekon ahead of the 2025-2026 elections, set to begin on Dec. 28.
National Unity Government radio station halts operations
Radio NUG, an online radio station established by the National Unity Government (NUG) after the 2021 military coup, announced that it has halted production of all programs, which were broadcast into Myanmar via shortwave radio and online as podcasts, due to a lack of funding on Friday.
“Radio NUG started its daily programs without any break in August 2021. Because of financial difficulties, the broadcasts will end,” stated an announcement on the official Radio NUG social media account. Founded on Aug. 24, 2021, under the guidance of the NUG Ministry of Information, Radio NUG stepped in to provide news about how the NUG is the only democratic alternative to military rule in Burma.
All Radio NUG staff are members of the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), which are civil servants who refused to work under the military regime after the 2021 coup. The CDM staff will continue to support other media and anti-coup information projects, according to the Radio NUG announcement on Nov. 7. Read more
Over 100 buildings demolished at KK Park in Karen State
Six homes in Mae Sot, Thailand were damaged during the demolition of buildings along the Burma side of the border at KK Park, a Chinese-backed cyber scam hub located in southern Myawaddy Township on Nov. 9, residents told DVB. Myawaddy is located along the Burma-Thailand border 81 miles (130 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-An.
The regime Ministry of Information stated on Nov. 9 that it demolished a total of 101 buildings inside KK Park’s 100-acre plot of land. Forty-seven more buildings are set to be demolished, including parks, karaoke bars (KTVs), casinos, and other businesses. Regime media reported that the military detained over 2,000 people and seized 30 Starlink satellite internet terminals during a raid at KK Park on Oct. 19.
The Karen National Union (KNU) told DVB that the military began its demolition of KK Park on Oct. 23 but added that it was just for propaganda purposes since the cyber scam operations will likely continue in other locations nearby. The KNU denied its involvement in KK Park after regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun claimed that the ethnic armed group is protecting cyber scam operations in exchange for payments. Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—The Arakan Rohingya National Council (ARNC) shared a press release on Monday expressing its frustration over the sinking of a boat carrying Rohingya refugees and other migrants off the coast of Malaysia, near the Thailand maritime boundary. Thirteen survivors have been rescued so far.
At least 21 bodies have been recovered from the sea since the vessel went down on Thursday – 12 in Malaysia and nine in neighbouring Thailand, according to Malaysia’s maritime agency. “We’re trying our level best,” said Romli Mustafa, the regional head of Malaysia’s maritime agency.
MANDALAY—The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that regime forces recaptured the Ingyinmyaing Air Defence Base and the Sedawgyi Dam outpost in Madaya Township on Thursday. Madaya is located 25 miles (40 km) north of the region’s capital Mandalay.
A PDF spokesperson told DVB that regime forces reached Tangamrauk village, six miles (9 km) north of Madaya, on Nov. 6. The regime has also reportedly recaptured the China-backed Alpha cement factory, the Payaungtaung gold-mining hub, and the Mandalay-Madaya road, since July. Read more
SAGAING—The People’s Administration Team (PAT), under the National Unity Government (NUG), in Depayin Township told DVB that at least 15 civilians were injured in Satpyakyin village after five rounds of airstrikes were carried out by the Burma Air Force on Monday.
“Some of the injured civilians are in critical condition at the hospital,” a PAT spokesperson in Depayin told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Depayin, located 40 miles (64 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa, is partially under People’s Defense Force (PDF) control. Read more
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