Hello. From now on, we will be reading and presenting m.CDM’s domestic news updates.
Today’s news includes the following (along with other items):
- In Depayin, one civilian was killed due to an SAC airstrike. In Salin, SAC troops detained nine civilians as human shields and burned down houses.
- Some areas previously controlled by the KIA and allied resistance forces in Banmauk and Tanai were lost.
- A person said to be an SAC officer who escaped during the Mae Sae (Karenni State) prison break was arrested in Thailand.
4. Two displaced children from Mandalay died overnight due to cold weather; more than 2,000 displaced people from Kyauktaga and Phyu townships in Bago Region are in need of assistance.
1) In Depayin, one civilian killed in SAC airstrike; in Salin, nine civilians detained as human shields and homes burned
m.CDM – January 19
The Depayin Township People’s Administration Team stated that one civilian was killed after SAC forces carried out an airstrike using a jet fighter on Saibyin town in Depayin Township, Sagaing Region.
The attack occurred at around 11:45 a.m. on January 19, reportedly carried out by a jet fighter from Tada-U Air Base. Two men were injured; one died on the spot, while the other sustained serious injuries and remains in critical condition. Some civilian buildings were also burned and destroyed.
In Salin Township, Magway Region, the group “Public Brothers – Salin” reported that SAC troops conducted raids and attacks on villages using heavy weapons, small arms, and drones, and detained locals as human shields.
On January 18, around 200 SAC troops who departed from the Salin township administrative office reportedly entered and raided Pantaingon Village, detaining nine civilians as human shields and burning homes for the third time, according to the statement.
The same column reportedly shelled villages with heavy weapons and drones before entering, and also raided Kanyat Village, again setting fire to civilian homes for the third time. They then continued raids on Naungtawlay and Naungtawgyi villages, burning homes and taking villagers as hostages. They also raided Uyarzu Village, burning a monastery and civilian houses.
Due to these attacks and indiscriminate firing, there were civilian casualties in villages along and near Salin Creek, and thousands of residents from 12 villages are reportedly displaced.
2) Some areas in Banmauk and Tanai lost by KIA and allied forces
m.CDM – January 19
Local sources said that SAC forces launched heavy offensives, forcing resistance forces to lose some positions in Banmauk (controlled by resistance forces in upper Sagaing) and Tanai (in Kachin State, controlled by the KIA).
In Banmauk, SAC forces and the SNA reportedly began attacks about a week earlier, and on January 15 intensified the offensive with air support and ground columns. At present, SAC and SNA forces reportedly control about half of the town, while resistance forces control the other half, with intense fighting continuing.
The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) announced that around 10:00 a.m. on January 18, it had retaken Myananda Ward in Banmauk from resistance forces.
Banmauk had previously been captured by allied resistance forces on September 6, 2025.
In Tanai Township, a guard post and a checkpoint in an area controlled by the KIA were reportedly seized by the Warazup People’s Militia, which is under the SAC. The area is near the Pring Shwe Maw gold-mining sites where KIA Brigade 2, Battalion 14 is based. KIA information officer Lt. Col. Naw Bu reportedly confirmed that SAC-aligned forces advanced and the positions were lost in the second week of December 2025.
Although large battles are not being reported at the moment, SAC-aligned forces are reportedly firing heavy weapons and using drones, and tensions remain high, with clashes possible at any time.
3) Attack on SAC checkpoint in Pauk Taw village; 10 soldiers killed, and 3 more die in vehicle accident while transporting wounded
m.CDM – January 19
The Shwebo District Battalion No. 17, Company 4 “Acid” column stated that joint People’s Defense Forces attacked an SAC checkpoint in Pauk Taw Village, Sagaing Township, Sagaing Region, resulting in 10 SAC soldiers killed and about 20 seriously wounded.
The ambush took place at around 6:45 a.m. on January 16. The group said they were able to raid the checkpoint, but reinforcements arrived from Sagaing city—four passenger cars, two 4-wheel vehicles, and one truck. They reportedly cut off two of the passenger cars, but withdrew due to insufficient weapons and ammunition.
The statement also claimed that a vehicle transporting wounded soldiers crashed into a road roller at Kyathtaung village while driving toward Sagaing city, causing three additional soldiers to die.
The attack was carried out jointly by Battalion 17 Company 4 “Acid,” a “People’s Soldier Special Guerrilla Force,” the Mingun area People’s Security Force (P.L.F), the GUN STAR guerrilla force, and local P.K.F units. One resistance fighter was killed and one sustained non-critical injuries.
4) Alleged SAC officer who escaped Mae Sae prison break arrested in Thailand
m.CDM – January 19
Thai media reported that Thai authorities arrested an individual said to be an SAC officer among those who escaped from the Mae Sae Township prison in Karenni State, after they crossed into Thailand at the Thai–Myanmar border.
The arrest reportedly took place in Khun Yuam Township, Mae Hong Son Province. Preliminary information indicates the detainee is Paing Soe Thu, described as holding an officer rank. Thai reports say the police later transferred him to the Thai military.
Mae Hong Son police chief Sonkhrit Ontakrai said police had detained a Myanmar military officer who entered Thailand and that the case would be handled in line with international rules.
The IEC stated that the public should not be overly worried and that, for public security, resistance forces, the Karenni State police unit, and township administrative bodies would provide timely updates and are implementing systematic security measures.
Thai reports also stated that more than ten SAC personnel—including ranks such as battalion commander, deputy battalion commander, and company commander—are attempting to surrender in Thailand, and that they hope to be returned to Myanmar via the Thai government.
5) Deputy sergeant from Kanar police station arrested with ammunition
m.CDM – January 19
The People’s Defense Force (Singu Township) reported that they arrested Deputy Sergeant Myo Min Aung from Kanar Police Station in Myittha/Ngathayoke Gyi area (Nwahtogyi Township, Mandalay Region) together with ammunition.
According to the statement, he was arrested on December 24 and ammunition magazines and bullets were seized. He is reportedly from Moemak Road, Sanchaung Township, Yangon Region, and had served at Kanar area police station for over three years. He previously served at Poppa police station, Battalion 30 in Myitkyina, and the Amarapura township police station, and is currently 35 years old, according to the statement.
The Singu Township PDF said it is fighting to bring down the “terrorist military,” and appealed to the public for help because it still has unpaid debts for ammunition costs.
6) Major Pyae Phyo Aung forcibly seizing civilians’ property in Yesagyo
m.CDM – January 19
Local sources said that Major Pyae Phyo Aung, an SAC officer stationed in Yesagyo town, Magway Region, is forcibly confiscating civilians’ property.
The Yesagyo Information Committee stated on January 19 that a grocery store called Soe San Thu (opened between the 2000 Ward and Yathit village) was falsely accused, and 400 bags of cement were seized and transported away by a 12-wheel truck on January 17; the shop was also sealed.
It was also reported that in December 2025, the same major falsely accused a man named U Kwant living south of Myaungtaung in the 2000 Ward and forcibly seized the family’s light truck and Prado vehicle, now using them as his own.
Residents reportedly say he is greedily extracting money during this “collapsed era” for his family and relatives, demanding forced “quotas” of money from merchants and brokers under the pretext of social events, and that youths are being seized for forced porter duty.
7) Taungtha People’s Movement Committee urges resistance groups not to alienate the public while fundraising
m.CDM – January 19
The Taungtha People’s Movement Committee urged resistance forces based in Taungtha Township, Mandalay Region to ensure their fundraising for the revolution does not create resentment among the public.
They said they do not want behavior or actions—physical or verbal—that make people feel bitter or alienated, and advised groups to avoid bullying or abusing civilians, especially while people are already struggling through the harms of war.
They cited an incident in which a PLA group based in Taungtha allegedly seized two passenger vehicles and forcibly demanded 36.5 million kyats in December 2025.
The committee’s statement said responsible NUG officials should conduct local coordination regarding the case. They also advised civilians who were extorted to record details such as the time and place of arrest, the reason money was demanded, who received it, and who carried out abuse.
The statement added that during the post-revolution transition, transitional justice processes may emerge, courts could be established nationwide, and civilians may be able to pursue legal remedies.
Because lawless and abusive behavior is appearing during the revolution—leaving civilians caught in the middle of armed groups—the committee urged both civilians to act carefully and armed groups to systematically distinguish between military targets, civilian targets, and those providing support to the military, and to act correctly.
😎 Two displaced children from Mandalay die overnight from cold; more than 2,000 IDPs from Kyauktaga and Phyu need help
m.CDM – January 19
MFP News reported that along the eastern side of Wetlet Township (Sagaing Region), beside Highway No. 3, among displaced people from Madaya Township, Mandalay Region, two infants died from cold exposure overnight on January 16.
The deceased infants were approximately six months and five months old. Displaced people are reportedly living without proper shelter along hillsides and under concrete bridges beside the road, sleeping on the ground with only thin blankets. Even monasteries are no longer safe to sleep in due to fear of air attacks.
The bodies of the two infants were reportedly buried quickly in the forest on January 17. Their families are said to be very poor and work in pottery-related labor. Over 100 pregnant women and newborns are reportedly in Wetlet Township; while some medical support exists, it does not cover everyone.
It was also reported that on January 7, a displaced woman from Madaya Township gave a child up for adoption due to livelihood difficulties.
Similarly, an official from the Bago Region office of the People’s Defense Force said that 801 households (over 2,000 people) from 19 villages near the border of Kyauktaga and Phyu townships are displaced and urgently need food, medicine, and clothing. Among them are 1,320 women and 1,179 men, and women’s monthly sanitary supplies are also needed.
9) Chin National University entrance exam eligible-candidate list announced
m.CDM – January 19
The Chinland Government’s Ministry of Education announced that the list of candidates eligible to sit for the Chin National University entrance exam can now be checked through the relevant township/area education offices or schools.
The university said its departments will begin opening programs including: undergraduate diploma courses, postgraduate diploma courses, vocational diploma courses, electrical engineering, civil engineering, and law.
Applicants can contact the township/area education offices or schools closest to them to confirm exam eligibility, and to learn what documents and requirements they must bring and understand when coming to sit the exam.
These news items were contributed today by Ko Thit, Lu Lay, and Kha Shell.