Hello and greetings.
From now on, we will be presenting m.CDM’s domestic news updates.
Today’s news includes the following headlines:
1. Airstrike by the military junta on the Chaung Tu detention camp in Kyauktaw Township leaves 21 prisoners of war and family members dead, 30 injured
2. Two civilians killed due to junta violence in Sawhti and Tantabin townships; a woman tapping rubber shot dead by junta troops in Kyaikto Township
3. In 2025, junta airstrikes killed 2,326 civilians and destroyed 3,904 buildings
4. PPNM reports wardens beating and torturing prisoners at Insein Prison, along with other related news.
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1. Airstrike on Chaung Tu Detention Camp in Kyauktaw Township Leaves 21 Dead, 30 Injured
m.CDM – January 21
According to local sources, the military junta carried out an airstrike on a detention camp near Chaung Tu village in Kyauktaw Township, Rakhine State, where prisoners of war and their family members were being held. As a result, 21 prisoners and family members were killed and 30 injured.
At around 7:30 p.m. on January 20, a junta jet fighter dropped four bombs, which exploded in the prisoner housing quarters, the clinic, and family accommodation areas, causing mass casualties.
An official from the Chaung Tu detention camp stated:
“Two bombs hit the clinic, one exploded in front of the POW barracks, and one beside the family quarters. Four prisoners were killed and six injured in the clinic, 13 killed and 16 injured in the POW barracks, and four family members killed with eight injured.”
Among the injured, five are in critical condition and are receiving medical treatment from the Arakan Army. Because the attack occurred at night, families inside the camp were extremely frightened and trapped in locked rooms.
Daw Thazin Cho, wife of a former Battalion Commander of Kyauktaw-based Infantry Battalion 377, told local media:
“When the first bomb hit, people were screaming to open the doors. Without keys, they believed they were going to die. Some survived only because others from the men’s quarters managed to free them.”
She appealed to junta leaders to show humanitarian consideration toward captured soldiers’ family members, reminding them that they too have families.
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2. Around Eight PDF Fighters Killed in Junta Airstrike in Kaling Township
m.CDM – January 21
In eastern Kaling Township, Sagaing Region, junta aircraft bombed a forested area, killing approximately eight members of a People’s Defense Force (PDF) unit, according to local reports.
At around 2:00 p.m. on January 20, a fighter jet from Tada-U airbase dropped two bombs, followed by additional attacks using suicide drones.
The PDF unit had arrived the night before, on January 19. All eight fighters were killed instantly, and their bodies had to be pulled from burning debris.
Other reports indicate casualties included five fighters from Kantbalu District PDF, two from Kaling PDF, and one from Pinlebu PDF. Some media outlets reported six PDF fighters and four civilians killed.
Previously, on January 17, junta troops carried out a surprise raid on Middle Khone village in eastern Kaling Township, killing nine resistance fighters from Kaling and Wuntho.
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3. Two Civilians Killed by Junta Violence in Sawhti and Tantabin; Woman Shot Dead While Tapping Rubber
m.CDM – January 21
According to a KNU statement, two civilians were killed and three injured due to junta violence in KNU-controlled areas of Bago Region, including Mone Township (Nyaunglebin District) and Tantabin Township (Toungoo District).
On January 19, LIB 307 dropped a bomb by drone on Hledone village in Mone Township, injuring U Shwe Myint (60).
Additionally, jets from Toungoo Air Base dropped two 300-lb bombs on Kwee Doh Kho village tract, while LIB 264 fired two 81-mm artillery shells at In Pu Wa village in Sawhti Township.
In Tantabin Township’s Zidaw Kho village, junta jets conducted two airstrikes between 12:35 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., dropping three 500-lb bombs.
As a result, Naw Phaw Se (85) and Naw Mu Theh (55) were killed; Naw Wah (52) and Naw Char Khu (64) were injured, and six houses were destroyed.
Separately, in Kyaikto Township, junta troops shot dead a woman tapping rubber in Wabo Kone village.
On January 20 at 6:42 p.m., Ma Khin Wine (41), daughter of U Htun Lin and Daw Mi Nge, was shot and killed by troops from LIB 284, according to Phoenix – Special Warfare Force.
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4. Junta Airstrikes in 2025 Killed 2,326 Civilians, Destroyed 3,904 Buildings
m.CDM – January 21
According to data released by the Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government, between January and December 2025, junta airstrikes killed 2,326 civilians and injured 4,146.
The deadliest months were October, August, and May.
A total of 8,821 airstrikes were recorded across 5,222 separate incidents.
Destroyed infrastructure included:
• 3,576 homes
• 102 educational buildings
• 36 healthcare facilities
• 190 religious buildings
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5. Raid on Junta Forces Stationed at Mingun Police Station and Myatheindan Pagoda
m.CDM – January 21
Resistance forces carried out a raid on junta troops stationed at Mingun Police Station and Myatheindan Pagoda in Sagaing Region’s Mingun Sub-Township, according to the Unicorn Guerrilla Force.
At around 2:00 p.m. on January 18, resistance fighters launched a surprise attack on two junta camps guarded by around 100 troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia.
Although one bunker was cleared, the camps could not be seized due to terrain constraints, and resistance fighters withdrew safely.
The operation involved multiple groups including No More Dictatorship PDF (NMD), Unicorn Guerrilla Force, Mingun PDF, People Servant Force, GS Force, and others.
Two NMD fighters sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
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6. Nine Newly Recruited Junta Soldiers Defect in Laydo, Ye, and Htilin
m.CDM – January 21
Across Laydo Township (KNU territory), Ye Township (Mon State), and Htilin Township (Sagaing), nine forcibly recruited junta soldiers defected to resistance forces.
On January 18, seven soldiers from LIB 53 surrendered to KNU Brigade 3 / KNDO Battalion 3 in Laydo.
They stated they had been forcibly conscripted and are now being well cared for by the KNU.
Additionally, Ko Naing Lin, previously arrested as an undocumented worker in Thailand and forcibly recruited, defected to Ye PDF after completing training at Sakha-19 and serving with LIB 106.
On January 20, a soldier from LIB 315, identified as Aung Kyaw Min, defected to YRA Htilin, bringing an MA-3 rifle, for which he received a reward.
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7. Thirty Escaped POW Prisoners Surrender to Thai Authorities
m.CDM – January 21
Out of prisoners who escaped from Karenni Prison, 30 POW inmates surrendered to Thai authorities, with some reportedly captured by gunfire.
Thai media reported that the prisoners crossed into Thailand on January 20 and requested to be transferred back to the Myanmar military.
The Karenni Interim Executive Council (IEC) confirmed the escape and stated that some escapees were killed or recaptured.
On January 18 at around 1:00 a.m., approximately 80 prisoners, including POWs, escaped from an IEC-administered prison in Mese Township with nine small arms, according to the Department of Justice under the IEC.
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8. PPNM Reports Prison Wardens Beating and Torturing Inmates at Insein Prison
m.CDM – January 21
The Political Prisoners Network–Myanmar (PPNM) reported that Deputy Warden Kyaw Lin Htun of Insein Prison’s Thabyay Wards 1 and 2 has been extorting money and physically abusing prisoners under the pretext of discipline.
Despite housing around 800 inmates, prisoners are only allowed to bathe for one hour each morning, while water is prioritized for fish farming inside the prison.
Food parcels are withheld until evening, causing health problems due to delayed meals.
New prisoners are forced to pay 50,000 kyats for work fees and 50,000 kyats for room fees. Failure to pay results in forced labor or frequent cell transfers.
Political prisoner Maung Saw Phyu Phway was beaten severely for inability to pay, resulting in visible bleeding.
PPNM also stated that the warden uses criminal inmates as bodyguards and abuses his authority to impose punishments and extort money.
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Today’s news was contributed by Ko Thit, Lu Lay, and Khashel.