Mingalaba. From now on, we will present m.CDM’s domestic news updates.
Today’s news includes:
1. In Singu Township, Mandalay Region, junta forces carried out a drone bombing in Thila Village, killing 5 internally displaced civilians and injuring 14
2. Revolutionary forces captured the junta’s Thitphula outpost in Kholin Township
3. CDF Paletwa announced restrictions on youth leaving Paletwa Township
4. Over 200 civil society organizations urge international governments to immediately take effective action against the junta’s continued war crimes
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### 1. Junta drone bombing in Thila Village, Singu Township, Mandalay Region kills 5 IDPs, injures 14
**m.CDM, December 20**
According to Ko Than Mani, information officer of the Singu Township People’s Defense Organization (PaKaFa), junta forces carried out a drone bombing attack on an area in Thila Village, Singu Township, where internally displaced civilians were sheltering. As a result, five civilians, including one child, were killed and 14 others were injured.
The attack occurred at around 10:45 a.m. on December 19. The junta troops, advancing from Kyauk Myaung Village in Shwebo Township, dropped bombs using drones.
Four people were killed instantly at the scene, and one person died on the way to the hospital. The fatalities included one child, three women, and one man.
A total of 14 people were injured, most of whom were internally displaced civilians.
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### 2. Revolutionary forces seize junta Thitphula outpost in Kholin Township
**m.CDM, December 20**
Ground military sources report that revolutionary forces captured the junta’s Thitphula outpost in Kholin Township, Sagaing Region, during the afternoon of December 20.
The outpost is located on the eastern side of Kholin Township near the Shwebo–Myitkyina road and had been manned by more than 30 junta troops.
The battle lasted for two days and was intense. Despite airstrikes and artillery fire in support of the junta troops, revolutionary forces were able to seize the outpost.
During the fighting, one junta soldier was captured alive. On the revolutionary side, one fighter was killed and one was injured. Junta forces are reportedly continuing to fire using airstrikes and heavy weapons.
In addition, more than 100 junta troops from Light Infantry Battalions (LIB) 111 and 120, based in Wuntho, departed early on December 20 to reinforce Kholin. They have reached the areas near Amakan Village and Aungar Village, where revolutionary forces are reportedly intercepting the advancing column.
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### 3. Junta raids USBA fighters inside village in Upper Minhla Township
**m.CDM, December 20**
In Magway Region’s Thayet District, Minhla Township, junta forces raided and attacked members of the Union of Burma Special Army (USBA) who were inside Oatpone Village, according to a statement.
At around 1:30 p.m. on December 20, junta forces received informant reports that USBA members had entered the village to charge their phones. Using heavy weapons and drones excessively, junta troops launched a raid on the location.
With accurate intelligence, junta forces avoided defensive positions and directly targeted the place where USBA members were charging their phones.
Intense close-range fighting ensued. USBA forces suffered minor, non-critical injuries and were forced to withdraw urgently.
Earlier, around noon on December 17, USBA members providing security near Kanyin Gyi Village in Upper Minhla Township were also attacked by drone bombs launched from Nyaung Wine police station following informant reports.
The USBA stated that due to the lack of timely intelligence about the junta column’s movement, they were unable to adequately protect local civilians and issued an apology to the public.
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### 4. AIF Myanmar drone attacks kill 8 junta personnel including 2 officers
**m.CDM, December 20**
AIF Myanmar announced that kamikaze drone attacks carried out by the Anti-fascist Internationalist Front – Myanmar resulted in the deaths of eight junta personnel, including two officers.
AIF Myanmar stated that after months of cooperation with allies, it had successfully built an effective FPV drone program and was able to overcome the junta’s strategically deployed drone jamming systems through technological means.
The group said it targeted and destroyed two junta drone jammers and four supply warehouses. As a result, two junta officers and six soldiers were killed, and eight others were injured.
Although this technological capability had previously been kept secret, AIF Myanmar said it decided to disclose it in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of technology to the revolutionary public.
While the junta continues to upgrade drones and jamming systems with Russian and Chinese technological assistance and uses them to attack the Myanmar people, AIF Myanmar pledged to stand firmly with revolutionary forces and continue developing effective methods of resistance.
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### 5. Junta porter-recruitment unit ambushed in Okpho; 6 killed including deputy police chief
**m.CDM, December 20**
In Bago Region’s Thayarwady District, Okpho Township, a junta motorcycle unit that had been stationed at a monastery in Lwazin Village and went out to forcibly recruit porters was ambushed, according to a statement from Military Region No. (2).
On the night of December 19, the unit was ambushed by Company 4 (UGF OKPO) of Battalion 3802 under the command of the Bago Regional Military Department, Military Region No. (2).
As a result of the attack, four junta personnel, including Deputy Police Chief Zaw Htun Win, were killed on the spot. Two more later died while receiving medical treatment in hospital.
Two small arms and ammunition were seized from junta forces, and the attacking unit withdrew without casualties.
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### 6. CDF Paletwa announces restrictions on youth leaving Paletwa Township
**m.CDM, December 20**
The Chinland Defense Force – Paletwa (CDF Paletwa) announced on December 20 that it has imposed restrictions on youth leaving Paletwa Township in Chin State.
According to the statement, adults in the Paletwa area are restricted from leaving the township except for health- and education-related reasons.
The group also stated that local youth are expected to join CDF Paletwa and take responsibility for local defense duties.
CDF Paletwa is a revolutionary force operating under the leadership of the Khumi Chin Ethnic Affairs Advisory Council.
There has been criticism of this announcement because the Arakan Army (ULA/AA) is also reportedly conducting conscription, registration, and arrests for military service in Paletwa Township.
The Arakan Army captured Paletwa Township on January 10, 2024, and has since been implementing administrative mechanisms there.
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### 7. ICJ to resume hearings in case filed against Myanmar
**m.CDM, December 20**
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) announced on December 19 that it will resume hearings next year in the genocide case filed by The Gambia against Myanmar over crimes committed against the Rohingya population inside the country.
The hearings will take place from January 12 to January 29. The Gambia will present oral arguments from January 12 to 15, while Myanmar will have the opportunity to respond from January 16 to 20.
Closed hearings for the examination of evidence will be held on January 21, 22, and 23. Expert witnesses from The Gambia are scheduled to testify on the afternoon of January 22.
A second round of oral arguments by The Gambia will take place on January 26 and 27, followed by Myanmar’s arguments on January 28 and 29, according to the court.
A total of 11 countries—including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Denmark, and the Maldives—have been granted permission to intervene on behalf of The Gambia. Because their positions are already known, the court said they will not need to present oral arguments.
Observers note that the 2020 ICJ hearings dealt only with provisional measures—deciding whether emergency protections were needed to prevent further harm to the Rohingya—rather than examining the entire case.
Because multiple countries have been allowed to intervene, analysts expect the case to broaden and increase international pressure on the junta.
Political and military analyst Hla Soe Wai wrote that the timing of these hearings is particularly unfortunate for the junta, as they coincide with the regime’s hope that the international community might recognize the results of its planned election while it continues bombing across the country.
The case was originally filed by The Gambia in 2017 at the ICJ in The Hague over the military’s violence against Rohingya in Rakhine State.
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### 8. Over 200 civil society organizations urge immediate international action against junta war crimes
**m.CDM, December 20**
More than 200 domestic and international civil society organizations have urged international governments to take immediate and effective action against the continued war crimes committed by the illegal terrorist junta, which plans to hold a sham election later this month.
The organizations called on ASEAN, the United Nations, the European Union, and other international governments to move beyond issuing condemnations and instead impose effective punitive sanctions to stop the junta’s violence and ensure accountability for its brutal crimes.
They demanded an immediate halt to all direct and indirect exports, sales, and distribution of aviation fuel to Myanmar, and called for strong sanctions against all international companies and corporations—including those in ASEAN—participating in the aviation fuel supply chain.
They further urged international governments, particularly the UK, to block maritime insurance services for oil tankers and critical infrastructure such as ports, fuel storage facilities, and pipelines involved in supplying aviation fuel to Myanmar.
The statement pointed out that the junta’s ability to continue aerial bombardment is enabled by its access to aircraft and weapons supplied by authoritarian partner countries such as Russia, China, and Belarus.
It also noted that Thailand’s state-owned company PTTEP pays the illegal junta hundreds of millions of dollars monthly for gas purchases, enabling the junta to acquire such weapons.
The organizations recommended that public oil and gas revenues be placed in escrow accounts that the illegal junta cannot access.
They warned that the junta, enjoying impunity, is attempting to force a sham election through intimidation, arrests, and coercion of the Myanmar people, while deliberately committing war crimes against civilians. To stop this immediately, 209 civil society organizations called on all international governments to impose unified and decisive sanctions.
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The news presented today was submitted by Ko Thit Lulay and Kharshell.