Myanmar Domestic News Updates – Oct 16, 2025 Morning
📌📌 1. UK and US Joint Sanctions to Combat Financial Scam Networks in Myanmar and Southeast Asia
The British Embassy in Myanmar announced that the United Kingdom and the United States have jointly imposed sanctions on a global network worth billions of pounds, which has been involved in financial scam operations that exploit and abuse trafficked laborers.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, this network is connected to the Cambodia-based Prince Group and has been operating cyber fraud schemes across Myanmar, Cambodia, and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Authorities from the UK and US noted that scam operations based in Southeast Asia have been systematically deceiving victims worldwide, with estimated losses of USD 37 billion in East and Southeast Asia alone in 2023. Such regionally based schemes have led to even greater global financial damages.
Therefore, the UK has announced these joint sanctions with the US to dismantle transnational threats arising from such financial fraud networks and to safeguard human rights.
These sanctions aim to expose and disrupt the operations of these networks, helping to protect UK and Southeast Asian citizens from the devastating impacts of financial scams.
British Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Doughty stated:
“These scam operations are systematically deceiving victims, trapping vulnerable individuals within their headquarters, and stealing hard-earned money from UK citizens. We are taking decisive action against them.
These fraudulent businesses operate across borders, representing a transnational threat that undermines human rights, economic development, and national security. Such illicit financial flows must be tackled through coordinated international efforts.
We are taking firm action to protect UK citizens and the integrity of the UK’s financial system. We recognize the threats arising from illicit financial activity in this region, and the UK government is determined to support regional efforts and cooperate with Southeast Asian countries to counter these networks.”
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📌📌 2. Indian Army Transfers Escaped Myanmar Soldiers Back to SAC via Helicopter
According to local reports, more than 20 Myanmar soldiers who fled into India’s Mizoram State and took refuge in Saikhumphai Village, Champhai District, were airlifted by the Assam Rifles on the morning of October 15 and handed over to the junta through the Tamu–Moreh border crossing.
During the battle for Falam, soldiers who surrendered—including members of the junta’s army and police—had been held at Camp Rihli by the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF). However, after clashes erupted between CNDF and CDF-Hualngoram forces in early July 2025, a joint force including the Chin National Army (CNA) attacked Camp Rihli, leading to the escape of these soldiers into Mizoram State.
Reports indicate that they later contacted the Myanmar Embassy and received assistance from the Indian Army for their retrieval and repatriation to the junta.
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📌📌 3. “Revolutionary Talk to the Northwestern Front” — Discussion on the Importance of Leadership in Troop Building
A special talk titled “Revolutionary Talk to the Northwestern Front” will be held on October 17 at 7 PM (Myanmar Standard Time) to discuss the importance of leadership during troop-building processes in times of revolutionary struggle.
The event will be livestreamed via the OFP Fundraiser Page, various media outlets, campaign pages, and battalion pages.
Panelists include:
- Merry Fay, Deputy Head of Finance, People’s Liberation Army (PIO/PIA);
- Ko Aung Nge, Chairperson of the Democratic People’s Liberation Front/Army (DPLF/DPLA);
- Ko Saung Kha, Commander of the Burma People’s Liberation Army (BPLA); and
- Ko Wai Moe Kyaw, Strategy Chief of TRI Strategy No. 93.
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📌📌 4. Recruitment of New Soldiers by Mokeok Strategic Command and Shwebo District Battalion 23
The Mokeok Strategic Command announced on October 14 that it is recruiting new members to strengthen public participation in building the Federal Democratic Union, emphasizing unity and collective effort for the success of the revolution.
The Mokeok Strategic Command operates under the Ministry of Defense (MOD) of the National Unity Government (NUG) and is an officially recognized People’s Defense Force unit committed to building the Federal Democratic Union through a disciplined revolutionary force guided by strong convictions and loyalty.
The announcement stated that brave individuals are needed to push forward the machinery of revolution toward achieving the Federal Democratic goal as swiftly as possible.
Similarly, Shwebo District Battalion 23 has also announced recruitment for new members aged 18 and above who can complete basic military training.
Upon completion, recruits will be assigned to:
- Assault units
- Infantry divisions
- Artillery units
- Drone teams
- Demolition units
- Administrative departments
- Intelligence units
- Logistics divisions
Recruits are expected to dutifully and effectively carry out their assigned responsibilities.
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📌📌 5. Defections of Junta Soldiers in Sagaing and Nyaung U Townships
Reports state that a junta soldier from Infantry Battalion 33 in Sagaing Township contacted the Wetlet Informational Network on October 10 and defected with assistance from the Unicon Guerrilla Force (UGF).
The soldier was temporarily held at Shwebo District Battalion 23 and handed over to the relevant People’s Defense Team (Pa Ka Pha) and his family on October 13.
It was reported that the soldier had previously been arrested by junta-affiliated People’s Militias while seeking employment in Mandalay due to family difficulties around February 2025 and was forced to attend military training in Taung Twin Gyi. After seven months, he was reassigned to Battalion 33, where he later contacted the Wetlet Informational Network and successfully defected.
Similarly, in Nyaung U Township, Mandalay Region, another junta soldier who had been forcibly conscripted defected without weapons to the Garuda Secret Force on October 15.
Resistance groups have urged the public to remain vigilant, as junta troops continue widespread, arbitrary arrests of both men and women in towns, forcing them into military service, and have warned civilians to avoid junta-organized entertainment events and ceremonies.
These news updates were provided by Radio NUG correspondent Khur Shel.
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