Hello everyone,
Starting now, we will be reading and presenting m.CDM’s domestic news.
Today’s headlines include:
- The Chin National Front (CNF) and the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) sent condolence messages over the passing of Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB).
- The Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) instructed efforts to intensify force-building and prepare to carry out decisive offensives in order to win the revolution.
- In the offensive along the Kalay–Falam road, more than 200 junta personnel—among them 9 officers—were reportedly killed within four months.
- Fierce fighting is ongoing between junta forces and resistance forces in Mogok Township and at the Papun strategic hill base—along with other related developments.
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First story:
1) CNF and DPNS send condolence messages on the death of NCGUB Prime Minister Dr. Sein Win
m.CDM, February 8
Following the death of Dr. Sein Win, Prime Minister of the National Coalition Government of the Union of Burma (NCGUB), the Chin National Front (CNF) and the Democratic Party for a New Society (DPNS) sent messages of condolence.
CNF praised Dr. Sein Win as a leader who consistently worked for federal democracy and justice. CNF stated that during his tenure as Prime Minister, he played an important role in safeguarding the people’s mandate granted by the 1990 election and in securing international support for the pro-democracy movement opposing military dictatorship.
CNF further wrote that his convictions, moral integrity, and steadfast commitment to core principles will remain a source of strength for all forces striving for democracy, equality, and the building of a federal democratic union.
CNF also said it honors and respects his lifelong service to the public interest and regards his support for the federal democratic movement as a precious legacy.
In DPNS’s condolence message, the party said that when the military regime trampled and annulled the results of the 1990 election, Dr. Sein Win courageously led the formation of the NCGUB in line with the decisions contained in the Gandhi Hall Declaration, and faithfully carried out the responsibilities entrusted by history.
According to historical records, Dr. Sein Win later reached liberated areas where revolutionary forces were present and worked together with the Democratic Alliance of Burma (DAB), the National Democratic Front (NDF), and the National League for Democracy – Liberated Area (NLD-LA). He was among those who led the signing of the Manerplaw Agreement on building a Federal Union of Burma.
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2) In a battle near Monywa’s Northwestern Command HQ, 9 junta members including officers killed; army arrests and beats youth from nearby villages
m.CDM, February 8
A resistance attack on a junta column near the Northwestern Regional Military Command Headquarters (based in Monywa, Sagaing Region) reportedly killed 9 junta members including officers. Afterward, the military allegedly arrested and beat young people from nearby villages and interrogated them, according to a statement released on February 8 by Black Falcon Guerilla Forces.
The statement said that around 7:00 a.m. on February 5, about 20 troops from a camp of roughly 25 stationed at a monastery in Min Hte Village—near the Northwestern Command HQ—set out with one trawler-type vehicle and two reconnaissance motorcycles along the Min Hte–Thabyay Taw road to collect extortion payments and forcibly seize porters. Resistance forces attacked that column.
Black Falcon Guerilla Forces said the attack killed 9 total—soldiers and Pyu Saw Htee members included—among them a two-star captain, and wounded more than 10. They also claimed they seized two MA-1 rifles.
After the clash, the military allegedly blockaded two nearby villages and summoned young people for beatings and interrogation.
The statement also said the junta fired heavy weapons from the Northwestern Command HQ area and from the 505th artillery unit positioned at Kyauksitpon Village. It reported that armored vehicles and multiple vehicles—including ambulances—were used to retrieve bodies and the wounded and transport them to the Northwestern Command hospital.
It further claimed the military threatened to kill 10 detained villagers if hospitalized soldiers later died, and that residents’ movement in and out of the villages was restricted while youths were being taken “one per household” for interrogation and beatings.
The statement said the Northwestern Command had reinforced security with troops from the 33rd Light Infantry Division, and that the body of the two-star captain killed in the fighting was to be buried on February 8.
The ambush was reportedly carried out jointly by Black Falcon Guerilla Forces, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Monywa District Battalion No. 24 (Company 3), SRA coalition member Bamar Liberation Democratic Front (BLDF), “Tactical Area 5” Pa La Pha, the Kanoun Mintha Gyi Force, the Thwe Thauk Nyi Ko Force, the Three Star Force, and a local “A Mae Thar” force. One resistance member was reportedly killed and another wounded.
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3) PDF Commander-in-Chief instructs intensified force-building and preparations for decisive offensives to win the revolution
m.CDM, February 8
The Commander-in-Chief of the People’s Defence Force (PDF), under the National Unity Government (NUG), instructed units to intensify force-building and work to be able to launch decisive offensives in order to defeat the military dictatorship.
This guidance was issued at the PDF Commanders’ Meeting 1/2026 under the NUG Ministry of Defence.
It was reported that the PDF set military objectives for this year, including strengthening force-building, working toward a decisive offensive, and setting out military preparation processes.
The PDF statement also said that participants discussed military assessments from 2025, including victories, weaknesses, and strengths.
In the discussion, the PDF reportedly defined three historic responsibilities: (1) to fight militarily to end military dictatorship; (2) to protect the Union and the people from all threats; and (3) to participate in the future federal democratic union’s security-sector reform (SSR) and related state-building processes.
The statement said the PDF is implementing a “people’s war” strategy, moving step by step through strategic defense, a strategic equilibrium phase, and strategic counteroffensives, and that the current period is one of preparation to conduct final battles.
The five-day Commanders’ Meeting, held in February, was attended by the Commander-in-Chief, Deputy Commander-in-Chief, General Staff/Headquarters, the commander of Military Region No. 1, commanders from 10 regional military commands and special forces, members of command structures, officials from the Ministry of Defence, and officials from the headquarters of the People’s Defence Teams (PaKaFa), totaling more than 100 attendees.
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4) Junta conducts airstrikes and heavy-weapon attacks in Chin, Rakhine, Magway, Bago, and Tanintharyi; at least 3 more killed including a child; a villager from Khamaukgyi reportedly arrested, killed, and the body destroyed
m.CDM, February 8
The junta carried out aerial bombings using fighter jets and paramotors on towns, villages, and residential wards in Chin State, Rakhine State, Magway Region, and Tanintharyi Region, reportedly killing at least two people including a child and an elderly woman. (The report also references additional casualties elsewhere, bringing the death toll in the summary to at least three, including a child.)
At around 10:00 a.m. on February 8, a fighter jet that took off from Tada-U Air Base dropped two bombs on Mindat town, damaging homes, a Dhamma hall, an old auditorium building, and market stalls.
Similarly, at around 9:30 a.m., two bombs were dropped on Ward (2) in Kanpetlet, damaging about five houses and a two-story, six-room building inside the police station compound.
In addition, a village in Matupi Township was reportedly bombed at least five times by fighter jet, killing a 13-year-old child, injuring around six civilians, and causing fuel transport vehicles and a home to burn.
At about 1:30 p.m. the same day, the junta reportedly bombed Ward (3) of Thandwe in Rakhine State. Two men—U Thet Aung (around age 50) and U Aung Than Lin—were seriously injured, and nine houses were damaged.
In Magway Region, a paramotor from KaPaSa (22) factory dropped three bombs into Kan Gyi Village, Salin Township, reportedly killing an 80-year-old woman and severely injuring two women.
The report also said the junta was carrying out forced porter seizures and arrests in Salin town, and that three detained men were reportedly released from Salin police station after payments totaling 16 million kyat.
In Bago Region’s Nattalin Township, villages were reportedly shelled with twelve 120mm rounds and attacked by drones on February 7, injuring 10 civilians—four of them in critical condition.
In Wetlet Township on February 8 morning, an alleged suicide drone attack by Infantry Battalion (KhMaYa) 12 targeted Sin Ninn Village, forcing locals to flee.
In Taungoo District within KNU-controlled areas, a village in Daw Phakho (Thandaung) Township was reportedly shelled twice with heavy weapons from a junta camp on February 3, killing a 38-year-old mother of two, Naw Ni Ka Mwee, on the spot.
In Tanintharyi Region’s Khamaukgyi area, a 50-year-old man named U Aung Htwe was reportedly arrested, tortured, killed, and his body burned to destroy evidence.
The report said a junta column of about 170 troops entered Ayay Chan Thar Village on the morning after arriving from the “45-mile” side and arrested U Aung Htwe, then interrogated and tortured him through the day and night before killing him around 3:00 a.m. on February 6 near the village school and burning the body.
It also reported that on the evening of February 6, more than 10 youths, including four workers from the Yuzana palm oil company plantation, were arrested.
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5) Over 200 junta troops, including 9 officers, reportedly killed in four months during the offensive along the Kalay–Falam road
m.CDM, February 8
The Chinland Ministry of Defence said resistance forces fought against junta troops conducting an offensive to control the Kalay–Falam route—using thousands of troops—and that over 200 junta personnel, including nine officers, were killed over four months. The statement also said prisoners were captured, weapons and ammunition seized, and some drones shot down.
It added that over the past two-plus months, fighting occurred daily, and the junta used fighter jets and Y-12 aircraft to conduct more than 50 bombing runs (dropping thousands of munitions) and relied heavily on drones, including suicide drones.
The report said the junta has been pushing toward Falam with thousands of troops—using nine battalions under the 77th Division—and that because casualties have been heavy over more than four months of operations, reinforcements have been repeatedly dispatched.
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6) Fierce fighting in Mogok Township and at the Papun strategic hill base
m.CDM, February 8
Fighting is reported to be intense between junta forces and resistance forces in Mogok Township (Mandalay Region) and Papun Township (Karen State), with the junta relying largely on air support and artillery.
From around 10:00 a.m. on February 8, fighting reportedly intensified around Chaung Gyi Village and Shan Kone San Village in Mogok Township, while junta forces in Mogok town fired at least 11 artillery rounds in support.
Resistance forces were also reported to be conducting daily attacks on junta positions in Mogok using rockets and drones.
In Papun, within KNU Brigade 5 territory, KNLA and allied forces reportedly escalated operations from February 5 onward in an effort to fully seize the junta’s strategic hill base. After battles that captured camps belonging to Light Infantry Battalion 343 and Infantry Battalion 19, allied forces reportedly continued trying to take the strategic base through encirclement, while the junta provided air support using fighter jets, Y-12 aircraft, and drones.
Over the past three days of air attacks, allied forces reportedly suffered casualties, and family members of junta troops who have relocated into the strategic base were also said to be trapped inside.
It also reported that BGF forces and a breakaway DKBA group led by Bo Bi—attempting to move ground reinforcements and supplies—were unable to advance due to resistance ambushes, leaving the junta dependent mainly on aerial resupply and support.
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7) Junta sergeant-major captured in Kawlin; 7 conscripts defect in Tanai, Pekhon, and Kyaikhto
m.CDM, February 8
Resistance forces reportedly captured a junta sergeant-major in Kawlin Township, Sagaing Region, and seven junta conscripts reportedly defected with weapons in Kachin, Kayah (Karenni), and Mon State.
At around 6:30 a.m. on February 7, resistance forces reportedly captured Sergeant-Major Htoo Htoo Naing from Infantry Battalion (KhMaYa) 120 (based in Wuntho) near Kyauk Ka Village west of Kawlin.
Separately, in early February, seven conscripts reportedly contacted the NUG’s People’s Embrace program and defected. Three from Tanai Township were extracted by the Kachin People’s Embrace Committee (KPEC); two from Pekhon Township were extracted by PDF Battalion 1002; and on the 6th, two from Kyaikhto Township were extracted by the Southern Military Region (NUG/MOD).
They reportedly brought two MA-1 rifles and related ammunition. The statement said the receiving units are caring for them and, according to their wishes, facilitating participation in resistance activities, relocating them to destinations of their choice, or returning them to parents/guardians.
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😎 CDF–Paletwa support team congratulates Salai Myo Htike on being selected as Chin State Chief Minister (second term)
m.CDM, February 8
The CDF–Paletwa support team issued a statement expressing pride and congratulations over Salai Myo Htike being selected as Chief Minister for the Chin State government’s second term.
The statement thanked him for standing consistently with the people and for his self-sacrifice after the military seized power on February 1, 2021, and for working toward restoring people’s sovereignty and achieving a just, equal-rights federal democratic new state.
It also said the selection reflects recognition of his leadership ability, commitment, and accountability to the public.
The group added that it believes the Chinland government will be able to prioritize the economic hardships, social problems, and Chin national unity that Chin people face daily during his term.
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9) KIO bans gold mining along the Ayeyarwady River through Shwegu Township
m.CDM, February 8
The Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) issued an order banning gold mining along the Ayeyarwady River as it passes through Shwegu Township, Kachin State.
The letter, dated February 6, said gold-mining operations along the river sections passing through Shwegu’s Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 were prohibited starting February 6.
Local sources said there are many gold-dredging rafts currently operating in the river, and that the KIO’s ban was issued amid those conditions. The report also said gold mining is raising concerns about river water quality and the environment.
It noted that the KIO has previously issued bans on gold mining along the Ayeyarwady within areas under its administration. A KIO Shwegu District statement issued in late 2021 said gold dredging along the Ayeyarwady was completely prohibited because it was causing degradation and damage to religious lands, religious buildings, local farmland, villages, and riverbank environments, and warned that violations would be punished.
According to information associated with the February 6 Shwegu District notice, all gold-mining sites near Shwegu town are to be dismantled, local sources said.
The report also referenced records stating that in October 2025, the KIO had banned gold mining in restricted areas of the Chipwi region in Kachin State to prevent damage to waterways and roads.
It added that despite these restrictions, mechanized gold mining is reportedly continuing day and night under the Balaminhtin Bridge on the Ayeyarwady—connecting Myitkyina and Waingmaw—an area described as being under military control.
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Today’s news items were provided by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.