Hello everyone. From this point onward, we will be reading and presenting m.CDM’s domestic news.
Today’s news includes:
In Monywa and Ayadaw townships, junta airstrikes killed three people, including a novice monk and a child; in Mone Township, four civilians were killed due to the junta’s violent acts, and eight people were arbitrarily arrested.
People’s Defence Forces seized the Montaung police station in Minbu and burned it down.
In Nyaung-U, Pauk, and Kyaukhtu townships, arson and airstrikes by junta forces destroyed more than 200 homes and a clinic.
Myanmar geoscientists warn that no dam should be built in the Myitsone area, which lies in a highly dangerous major earthquake zone.
Along with these, we will also present other related updates.
1) Junta airstrikes in Monywa and Ayadaw kill three, including a novice monk and a child; in Mone, four killed and eight arbitrarily arrested
m.CDM — January 17
In Sagaing Region, a junta bombing in Taungmataw Village, Monywa Township, and in Kan Yin Village, Ayadaw Township, reportedly killed three people, including a novice monk and a child.
While junta troops were entering Seikgyi Taw Village and Thitnyo Pin Village in Monywa Township and setting houses on fire, they also dropped bombs on a monastery in Taungmataw Village using paramotors and gyrocopters, according to reports.
During the attack, one novice monk passed away, and four other novice monks reportedly suffered serious injuries.
A local resident told the Monywa Township “news and information” outlet:
“Inside the monastery there weren’t even displaced people—let alone PDFs. I truly don’t understand why they bombed it.”
In addition, in Thitnyo Pin Village, a military column reportedly burned down 22 civilian homes, and arrested and beat five local residents who came to help put out the fire.
Similarly, in Ayadaw Township, the junta reportedly bombed a preschool in Kan Yin Village at around 1:30 p.m. on January 17, despite no fighting taking place, according to the Northwest Plains Revolutionary Forces.
In that airstrike, a child and one civilian were killed, many others were injured, and a school building and one vehicle were also burned and destroyed.
Separately, on January 13 in Mone Township, Toungoo District, Bago Region, Light Infantry Battalion (439) reportedly carried out a drone bombing on Zee Phyu Khin Village, killing Maung Kular Gyi (25). In addition, shelling with a 120mm weapon reportedly injured Ko Moe Win (40) from Natlaung Village.
On January 14, in Phaya Kone Village, three people—U Thaung Myint (73), Daw Than Aye (70), and Nay San Lin (16)—were reportedly killed after stepping on a landmine that had been planted by junta forces.
Also, a junta column reportedly entered Thanihkaung Village and forcibly arrested eight people—U Aung Myint (65), Daw Aye Nyunt (65), U Myint Soe (55), U Nyein Nyein (55), Ma Pyae Pyae Thu (18), Ma Pyae Zin Moe (15), Ko Moe Kyaw (40), and Ma Htet Htet Oo (28)—and took them to Pae Nwe Kone police station, according to reports.
2) PDF forces seize Montaung police station in Minbu and burn it down
m.CDM — January 17
The Minbu District Defense Force announced that it successfully attacked and seized the Montaung police station in Minbu Township, Magway Region.
They said the station was seized in the early morning of January 16, and that they set it on fire and cleared the site.
During the fighting, the station commander and some police reportedly sustained injuries and fled.
After capturing the station, the resistance forces said they seized some military-use items and burned down the station buildings.
Montaung Village is located south of Minbu, near Salpwet Chaung. Reports say junta forces are now sending reinforcements toward Montaung from Mindon.
3) More than 200 homes and a clinic damaged in Nyaung-U, Pauk, and Kyaukhtu due to arson and airstrikes
m.CDM — January 17
In Mandalay Region’s Nyaung-U Township, junta columns allegedly carried out consecutive arson attacks on January 16 and 17, burning villages including Nappalin, Letwei, and Zeesmyin, as well as nearby villages. The group Black Eagle PDF (Bagan) reported that over 200 homes were destroyed.
At around 6:30 a.m. on January 16, a column of about 160 troops entered Letwei Village and burned about 120 houses, according to reports.
After looting and transporting property out of the village using vehicles, the troops set homes on fire and reportedly blocked people from entering to extinguish the flames.
A unit from the same column entered Nappalin Village around 9:00 a.m. and burned homes there as well—destroying seven houses—then planted landmines at village entrances before withdrawing.
On January 17 around 7:00 a.m., another column that had stayed overnight in Kangyi Kone Village entered Zeesmyin Village and burned about 100 homes.
These villages are about one mile apart, and due to the arson, about 5,000 people from villages including Zeesmyin, Yagyi Taw, Letwei, Nappalin, Makezitann, Anaungone, Thaebyin Taw, Pweitine, Thachingkan, and Kangyi Kone have fled, according to reports.
Similarly, in Pauk Township, Magway Region, a junta jet fighter bombed the Taung Kan Paing Village clinic at around 12:45 p.m. on January 17, damaging the clinic and five homes, according to the township’s people’s security force.
The strike reportedly occurred despite no fighting, and while there were no reported deaths or injuries, villagers fled in fear of further airstrikes.
Also in Kyaukhtu Township, Magway Region, near Yawmyo Village, at around 4:00 p.m. on January 17, a junta column of about 200 troops from Battalion (368) fired heavy and small arms indiscriminately between Khamto Taung and Shan Taung near a creek. One 120mm shell exploded inside Yawmyo Village, damaging a house, according to Yaw Alintan.
The column then withdrew, and locals were warned to remain alert.
4) Resistance attacks junta post and column in Phyu and Depayin; at least five soldiers reportedly killed
m.CDM — January 17
Resistance forces reportedly attacked a junta outpost in Phyu Township (Bago Region) and also attacked soldiers from a junta unit that had gone out to gather supplies in Depayin town (Sagaing Region), killing about five troops, according to statements.
At around 10:00 a.m. on January 17, an outpost stationed at the Sittaung River crossing bridge on the Mone–Oat Phyat road section in Phyu Township was reportedly targeted by sniper fire from KNLA Battalion 8, the ARMS Battalion, and the Falcons Guerilla “Sone Ye” unit.
Three junta soldiers were reportedly killed on the spot, and the resistance fighters withdrew without casualties.
Similarly, on the morning of January 16, resistance forces reportedly carried out a mine ambush inside Depayin town against junta soldiers who had left their base to obtain supplies. About two junta troops were reportedly killed and three injured, while the resistance forces withdrew without losses.
This mine attack was reportedly carried out jointly by the Depayin town “Bon-bay-ma” local defense force, Shwebo District Battalion (24), and a joint mine unit from the Ye-U Column.
5) BNRA raids an NUG tax checkpoint in Pale Township; member, weapons, and money seized; Bo Nagar says it was not a raid but a dispute among four ground-level fighters
m.CDM — January 17
In Pale Township, local sources reported that the Burma National Revolutionary Army (BNRA) raided a tax checkpoint run by the People’s Administration Team (Pa-Ah-Fa) under the National Unity Government (NUG) on the morning of January 17, seizing a member of the People’s Security Force (Pa-La-Fa), some weapons, and collected tax funds.
The checkpoint, located at an intersection near Pan Village, was reportedly raided around 11:00 a.m. by a sizable BNRA group. During the incident, Pa-La-Fa members were reportedly beaten, some were injured, and two members—including the checkpoint officer Ko Min Khine—were detained, according to confirmations by Pale Township Pa-Ah-Fa official U Zaw Htet and township PDF deputy lead Dr. Nan Win.
Reports also say BNRA seized weapons including one MA-1 rifle and one pistol, totaling three long guns and two short guns, along with tax money. During the escape, Pa-La-Fa reportedly fired back and one member was shot in the leg and injured.
NUG Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson U Nay Phone Latt confirmed the incident and called for the immediate release of the detained person and the return of the seized weapons and money.
He said: “BNRA raided the Pale Township tax checkpoint while firing shots. On-duty fighters were beaten and taken away. Some managed to escape, but one fighter is still being detained.”
BNRA leader Bo Nagar, in an interview with BBC Burmese, said this was not a raid on a Pa-Ah-Fa tax checkpoint but rather a dispute among ground-level members.
He said the issue began when BNRA went to stop a checkpoint near Hlawkar Village on the road to Pan Village after locals complained that travelers were being taxed. A scuffle broke out. He claimed that Pa-Ah-Fa had seized four weapons and one member, and that BNRA would formally hand matters over once responsible officials arrived.
Bo Nagar also wrote on social media that only around four fighters were involved and that the issue was still being addressed with relevant responsible parties.
6) Over 1,000 displaced people in Salingyi Township urgently need humanitarian aid due to a junta military column
m.CDM — January 17
The Sagaing People Support Network said on January 17 that due to a junta military column, more than 1,000 people have been displaced in Salingyi Township, Sagaing Region, and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
According to reports, a military column of roughly 100 troops, based at the Yansee Company compound, entered a nearby village around 3:00 p.m. on January 11.
As the troops entered, they fired heavy weapons. A man around 40 years old was reportedly killed by shrapnel, some homes were damaged, and more than 1,000 civilians fled in an emergency.
A local resident said the troops are using Chinese companies as bases for military operations and killing local civilians.
Because displaced people still remain in hiding, the Sagaing People Support Network urged the public to contribute humanitarian assistance.
7) People in Dooplaya District peacefully protest under the slogan: “Oppose the sham election so we don’t become accomplices of history”
m.CDM — January 17
KNU Central announced on January 17 that residents of Dooplaya District held peaceful protests under the slogan: “Oppose the sham election so we don’t become accomplices of history.”
In the KNU’s Kawthoolei-administered Dooplaya District, the public designated the junta-run election as a district-wide “Zero Hour.” At 9:00 a.m. on January 9, people across various townships held coordinated peaceful demonstrations in separate locations at the same time.
The statement said the junta’s election is merely a sham: it does not represent the people’s will, it is not a genuine democratic election system, and it is not internationally recognized.
As part of the anti-election campaign, local leaders gave speeches, pamphlets were distributed, people marched holding posters, and demonstrations were held at four locations in Kawkareik with about 2,650 participants; around 400 in Kyondoe; at two locations in Win Yay Township with about 2,000 participants; and at four locations in Noh T’Kaw Township with about 2,000 participants—totaling around 7,000 people who peacefully marched and expressed opposition, according to KNU Central.
Similarly, youth-led groups in the Myeik–Dawei District reportedly held peaceful anti-election actions with chants such as “Destroy the sham election with people power” and “Fear will not silence our voices,” expressing opposition to military dictatorship.
😎 Myanmar geoscientists warn: no dam should be built at Myitsone, which lies in a highly dangerous major earthquake zone
m.CDM — January 17
Myanmar geoscientists warned that the Myitsone area in Kachin State lies within a “highly dangerous major earthquake zone” according to seismic zoning charts, and therefore it is entirely unsuitable for dam construction.
Myanmar geoscientists working professionally around the world issued this warning in a statement on January 16, amid renewed efforts by the coup authorities to restart the Myitsone Dam project.
The statement noted that Myitsone is an irreplaceable cultural and natural heritage area for local ethnic communities and is also the birthplace of the Ayeyarwady River—something that cannot be measured in monetary value.
They warned that because the area lies in a major earthquake zone and is geologically very close to the Sagaing Fault—the fault associated with the powerful M7.7 earthquake in March 2025—building a massive dam at Myitsone could alter pressure conditions and potentially trigger further large earthquakes.
The statement also said that along the Mali and N’Mai river basins in the Myitsone area there are extensive valuable natural resources, including commercially extractable deposits of gold and rare earth minerals.
They further warned that due to heavy rainfall, steep mountain terrain, and unstable geology, the region is also vulnerable to major landslides.
They emphasized that controlling the flow rate of the Ayeyarwady River could disrupt the river’s natural sediment transport system, potentially harming river-island farming along the basin and agriculture across the Ayeyarwady Delta, which depends on fertile silt.
They also pointed out that while it is claimed that seven dams would be built at Myitsone for national security, if multiple dams were to fail simultaneously for any reason, it could cause catastrophic harm not only to the Myitsone area but to Kachin State and the entire country.
As an example, they noted that in China there were 3,600 dam failures between 1954 and 2023, and that the Banqiao Dam failure resulted in over 230,000 deaths, which they cited as part of the warning.
9) Second discussion held in Mae Sot to create job opportunities and secure humanitarian aid for Myanmar nationals there
m.CDM — January 17
The NUG Ministry of Social Affairs, Labour, and Humanitarian Assistance (Labour Affairs Department) announced that on January 14, a second discussion was held in Mae Sot (Thai–Myanmar border) to explore job opportunities for Myanmar migrants there, secure humanitarian assistance, and support stable living conditions.
The meeting was jointly organized by the Korea National Assembly, the NUG ministry and its Labour Affairs Department, the NUG Representative Office in Korea, and MFDMC, according to the statement.
Participants discussed pathways for young Myanmar people in Mae Sot to access job opportunities in Korea, to create appropriate employment opportunities within Thailand, and to deliver humanitarian assistance.
Attendees included relevant NUG departments, the CRPH, a regional network of international civil society organizations (KOCO), the Coffee Quality Assessment Association (CCA), and Mae Sot-based community organizations.
They also discussed practical coordination steps needed between Thailand and Korea to enable Myanmar migrants to work in Korea, approaches aligned with Tak Province’s administrative framework to support stable living, and ways for government and private actors to jointly address gaps in Korea’s official development assistance programs.
These were the news items contributed today by Ko Thit Lulay and Khar Shell.