Hello — starting now I’ll read and present m.CDM’s domestic news. Today’s items are:
1. ULA/AA commander Maj. Gen. Tun Myat Naing sends a congratulatory letter to Bangladesh’s new foreign minister.
2. In Bago, Mandalay and Tanintharyi regions, the military junta’s “militia” forces attacked with heavy weapons and drones — eight civilians killed, including one child.
3. Myanmar becomes the country with the highest number of deaths from landmines worldwide.
4. PNO burns the old PNLA headquarters; PNLA claims over 200 PNO casualties in the fighting.
…and other items.
Below are the reports in order.
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1) ULA/AA commander Maj. Gen. Tun Myat Naing sends letter to Bangladesh’s new foreign minister
m.CDM — 26 February
The chair of the Arakan Liberation Army/United League of Arakan (ULA) and commander of the Arakan Army (AA), Maj. Gen. Tun Myat Naing, has sent a congratulatory letter to Dr. Khalilur Rahman, the newly appointed foreign minister of Bangladesh, offering to build a new path of friendly relations, mulling cooperation to craft realistic, long-term solutions between Bangladesh and Rakhine State, according to Bangladesh state news agency BSS.
This is the first time the ULA/AA leader — who controls large parts of Rakhine State — has sent such a letter to the Bangladesh government. Observers interpret it as a sign that the ULA/AA is prepared to work with the new Bangladesh government on finding solutions to the Rohingya issue.
Separately, the military junta’s illegitimate foreign minister U Thant Swe is reported to have also sent a congratulatory letter to Bangladesh’s new foreign minister.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said Bangladesh is in contact with the ULA/AA and with the military over the Rohingya issue. Bangladesh says it is working with the United Nations and other important partners to resolve the Rohingya problem promptly and peacefully.
Because the AA controls parts of the Rakhine–Bangladesh border and Bangladesh has restricted cross-border trade in those areas, trade remains stopped at present.
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2) Heavy-weapon and drone attacks by junta militia in Bago, Mandalay and Tanintharyi — 8 civilians killed including a child
m.CDM — 26 February
In Bago, Mandalay and Tanintharyi regions, junta “militia” forces reportedly used heavy weapons and drones to fire on villages, torch settlements and attack convoys. Eight civilians, including one child, were killed.
In Bago Region’s Mu Township (KNU control area 3), on 23 February the junta’s Nat Thone-based militia reportedly shelled the Ngaw Nwar Seik area with four 81mm mortars; Maung Myint Khaing (15) and Maung Soe Lin Khaing (35) suffered injuries.
Similarly, in Laedo Township the Khilar-264 column allegedly shelled Ka Ngein Kyun village with 81mm mortars; Ma Zin Mar Win (35), Daw Thei Hlaing (59) and Ma Myaw Win (43) were injured and two houses were destroyed.
Shelling and drone strikes in Thamain Inn Kone and Phyuntalin villages damaged up to five houses.
In Mandalay Region, in Myingchan and Ngaunzung township fringes, militia columns used drone bombs and heavy weapons during incursions.
On the morning of 25 February a drone strike hit a farming village, killing one child, and shelling of Pauk Sein village damaged a tourist vehicle and killed one woman; another person was wounded.
Reports say militia columns torched villages in Myingchan township and in Nyaungwon (Kan Hla), where they also shot dead a roughly 40-year-old man.
While the villages were being set on fire an elderly man in his 80s was unable to escape and perished in the blaze.
In Tanintharyi Region’s Thayet Chaung Township on 23 February, a six-wheel truck carrying chickens from Tharwe was fired on by militia; the driver U Kyaw Min Soe (39) was killed. Two others on the truck were injured, and a young motorcyclist was also shot and wounded.
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3) NUG deputy defence minister: Despite intense fighting, with popular support we can advance
m.CDM — 26 February
The People’s Defense Forces (PDF) continue fighting the junta. NUG’s Deputy Minister of Defence Naikhaung Yet stated that although the revolution’s waves are intense, with popular strength they can continue to advance.
At a Tanintharyi front campaign on 25 February urging civilians to join efforts to equip defenders with ballistic vests, the deputy minister said popular participation has enabled many victories across five years of the resistance despite ups and downs. He urged continued support to provide protective equipment—such as vests—to frontline fighters, noting shortages of protective gear have led to frontline casualties.
The Tanintharyi command claims it conducted over 300 operations last year, inflicting over a thousand casualties on junta forces while sustaining about 130 casualties among their own frontline fighters. The command warned future operations may turn into head-to-head battles, so fighters need adequate protective gear.
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4) In Nat Talin, a PDF unit attacked and one resistance fighter killed
m.CDM — 26 February
In Nat Talin Township, Bago Region, at Kan Su Ta Gwa village a local defense unit was attacked by combined junta militia forces and Pyu Saw Htee units, resulting in the death of one resistance fighter.
On 25 February at about 5:00 a.m., some 70 junta and Pyu Saw Htee forces advanced from Taung Nyo village toward the Khin camp using drones. The clash lasted about three hours. Thayarwaddy Division troop(1)/company(2) reported the death of Youth Commander Kyaw Lay (20) and four other commanders were wounded.
Defense forces temporarily withdrew from the camp. The junta claims it also suffered casualties, but exact numbers are unconfirmed. As of the morning of 26 February the junta joint column remained in Kansu Ta Gwa village.
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5) PNLA’s old headquarters burned by PNO; PNLA claims over 200 PNO killed in fighting
m.CDM — 26 February
In southern Shan State’s Maukme Township, the Palaung National Organization (PNO) purportedly captured and burned the old headquarters of the Palaung National Liberation Army (PNLA).
Since January the PNO’s public militia has conducted major offensives in Kadu Gyi area, attacking villages. Recently they reached Ban Mat village where they set fire to and destroyed the old PNLA headquarters.
PNLA spokesperson Khun Reinyan says the destroyed buildings included the old PNLA HQ plus health facilities and local administrative offices donated to residents. During the assault PNLA claims that over 200 PNO fighters were killed.
The old HQ had already been relocated a year earlier due to previous air strikes. Ongoing clashes between PNO forces and resistance units in Kadu Gyi have forced mass displacement; PNO reportedly attacks villages with drones, heavy weapons and arson.
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6) MDY PDF (special operations) celebrates 5th anniversary
m.CDM — 26 February
The People’s Defense Forces — Mandalay (MDY PDF, special operations) celebrated its 5th anniversary on 25 February.
To mark the day they commemorated fallen fighters, offered tributes, distributed food to internally displaced persons, reviewed the unit and its history, cut an anniversary cake and held light sporting events with members.
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7) Local administrations in Mingtat and Kanpetlet issue seasonal fire-prevention orders
m.CDM — 26 February
Town administrations in Chin State’s Mingtat and Kanpetlet townships issued local orders for fire-risk prevention and urban cleanliness ahead of the hot season.
Mingtat township’s local announcement instructs residents to clean their house surroundings, main roads and neighborhood lanes by 15 March; failure to comply will be subject to existing law. Kanpetlet likewise instructed residents and property owners to clear surroundings before the coming hot season; a cleaning period was set from 26 February to 30 March. Noncompliance may result in fines of 200,000 kyat per household.
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😎 Moebye PDF warns people not to transit rebel-restricted areas
m.CDM — 26 February
In southern Shan State near Moebye town, rising junta offensives prompted a warning from the Moebye PDF advising civilians not to transit areas restricted by resistance forces.
The Moebye PDF said on 25 February that junta and allied PNO columns were advancing in force into Lamauk La and Lwel Yin Mingalar villages to seize territory, using drones and heavy weapons and targeting displaced civilians. PDF reported clashes between junta/PNO columns and resistance forces on 22–23 February. Given the unpredictability of battles, the Moebye PDF urged civilians not to pass through rebel-controlled territories. Moebye’s strategic location near the Pinlaung–Phekone–Lawkaw route gives junta forces incentive to mass an offensive to retake it.
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9) YDF urges people not to heed false or malicious propaganda from agitators
m.CDM — 26 February
The Yaw Defense Force (YDF) appealed to the public not to believe or spread deliberate falsehoods circulated by agitators.
Regarding a blast on the night of 22 February near Gantgaw township’s northern village, the YDF expressed concern and said it is cooperating closely with relevant agencies and locals to investigate. Within 72 hours of initial inquiries, the YDF noted that while that specific blast may not have occurred as reported, various explosive events and unauthorized firearm discharges have been reported in some northern Yaw villages, sometimes by undisciplined armed individuals.
The YDF respectfully urges the public not to be misled by malicious propaganda. The appeal has been welcomed by many locals, though some critics remain.
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10) Myanmar becomes the world’s deadliest country for landmine casualties
m.CDM — 26 February
According to Landmine Monitor’s “2025 Report,” Myanmar has become the country with the highest number of deaths from landmines worldwide.
In 2024 the number of people killed or injured by mines in Myanmar rose markedly to 2,029 — more than double 2023’s 1,003 and 2022’s 545 — indicating a worsening trend since the 2021 coup.
Since 1999 records show at least 9,206 people in Myanmar have been killed or injured by mines, and actual field figures are likely much higher. About 86% of mine victims are civilians, most hurt or killed by mines that detonate on contact.
By October 2025 the monitor estimates explosive remnants may remain in 211 of Myanmar’s 330 townships. The junta is widely reported to produce and use mines; PDFs and ethnic armed groups also use mines, contributing to increased casualties in 2024–2025.
The report documents cases where the military has used civilians as human shields or ordered soldiers to walk ahead through likely mined areas — acts that violate international law. The ongoing fighting and attacks on hospitals make it difficult to treat mine victims; without systematic clearance, civilians will continue dying even after hostilities end.
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11) IIMM: Despite financial constraints, we pursue independent, firm decisions to hold perpetrators accountable
m.CDM — 26 February
Nicholas Kuhnjan, head of the Independent International Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM), said despite financial difficulties they continue gathering evidence and working toward identifying perpetrators.
IIMM’s February newsletter acknowledged financial pressures that constrain some investigations, but stressed the mechanism is collecting robust evidence and striving to ensure accountability, centering the experiences of victims and survivors. Though the coup has been in place five years and junta violence has intensified, IIMM continues its work despite resource shortfalls.
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The day’s reports were submitted by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.