Hello Ma’am/Sir. Starting now, we will be presenting and reading out m.CDM’s domestic news.
Today’s news includes:
- The terrorist military has carried out nearly 40 airstrikes on Thayetchaung Township within half a month, forcing more than 500 local residents to flee.
- Due to the war in the Middle East, people fear fuel shortages and are panic-buying and lining up; some fuel stations in major cities including Yangon have closed. In addition, the Military Council has announced an odd-even driving restriction based on vehicle numbers/letters.
- The Mon–Tanintharyi Brotherhood Drone Coalition bombed an enemy column’s temporary camp near Aungthabye village in Ye Township and also bombed the Thinshue police station in Thanbyuzayat Township.
- More than 3,000 political prisoners have been released from 31 prisons nationwide, but some detainees under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) remain in custody.
Along with these, we will also present other news items.
⸻
1) Nearly 40 airstrikes in half a month on Thayetchaung; over 500 civilians displaced
m.CDM, March 3
The Public Relations and Information Department of KNU Myeik–Dawei District said that villages in the Thayetchaung area—also referred to as Kasehdo Township—within KNU Myeik–Dawei District were hit by nearly 40 airstrikes over a half-month period, forcing more than 500 local residents to flee.
It said the villages of Sonsinphyar, Mindat, Kanakthiri, Pyinphyuthar, Winwa, Yange, and Chaukchaung in the Thayetchaung area were attacked by air between February 11 and February 27.
During that period, the coup military carried out 28 bombing runs using Y-12 aircraft and 8 using jet fighters. As a result, 10 civilians were injured, one person was killed, and 11 houses were damaged or destroyed.
It was also reported that Light Infantry Battalion 409 of the coup military arrested and killed seven innocent civilians from those villages.
Because air attacks are continuing, local residents’ security and homes are being harmed, and more than 500 people remain displaced, according to KNU Myeik–Dawei District’s PR and Information Office.
⸻
2) Drone coalition bombs enemy temporary camp near Aungthabye and Thinshue police station
m.CDM, March 3
The Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) released a video on March 3 showing the Mon–Tanintharyi Brotherhood Drone Coalition bombing an enemy column’s temporary camp near Aungthabye village in Ye Township, Mon State, and also bombing the Thinshue police station in Thanbyuzayat Township.
The Mon–Tanintharyi Brotherhood Drone Coalition is described as a joint drone unit formed by drone teams from:
• MSRF (under the command of the Mon State Federal Council’s Defense Department), and
• KBDF Battalion No. 8002 and YGF Battalion No. 8001 (under the command of the People’s Defense Force Strategic Command 33).
The coalition said it conducted these attacks on February 28 and March 1.
On February 28 at around 2:00 pm, the coalition dropped four bombs by drone on an enemy unit temporarily encamped near Aungthabye in northern Ye Township. It said it is still investigating enemy casualties.
On March 1 at around 11:00 am, it dropped four bombs by drone on the Thinshue village-based police station in Thanbyuzayat Township, and reported that three enemy personnel were injured.
It also stated that revolutionary forces suffered no casualties and withdrew successfully.
⸻
3) CDF–Asho holds a one-minute silence for victims of an airstrike in Pyaung village, Mindon Township
m.CDM, March 3
CDF–Asho (a Chin regional defense force) said it held a one-minute silence ceremony on the morning of March 3 in memory of civilians who were hit by an air attack carried out by the terrorist military on a place where civilians were gathered near Pyaung village, Mindon Township, Magway Region.
CDF–Asho said that at around 11:20 am on March 1, the terrorist military attacked an area where cargo trucks were gathered near Pyaung village using three fighter jets, dropping roughly ten 200-lb and 300-lb bombs, and also continued attacking with rockets. The incident reportedly killed no fewer than 25 civilians.
The one-minute silence was held at 7:00 am on March 3 at a rear base of CDF–Asho, in front of the Chin national flag.
CDF–Asho expressed condolences to the families and relatives of those who lost their lives, and said it was deeply saddened.
It also noted that it had previously held a similar one-minute silence on the night of December 10, 2025 (International Human Rights Day) for victims affected when Mrauk-U General Hospital in Rakhine State was hit by an airstrike.
Caption: CDF–Asho members observing a one-minute silence for those affected by the airstrike incident at the gathering site near Pyaung village, Mindon Township.
⸻
4) Panic buying over fear of fuel shortages amid Middle East conflict; some stations closed in major cities including Yangon
m.CDM, March 3
Because of military conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States in the Middle East, many people fear fuel shortages and have been panic-buying and stockpiling. As a result, fuel stations in some major cities across Myanmar have run out of fuel and closed.
Since March 2, long queues of cars have formed at many large fuel stations in Yangon. Some stations have run short of gasoline, and some reportedly limit sales to 50,000 kyats per vehicle.
Some stations prioritize selling only to members with cards, causing some taxi drivers to be unable to buy fuel and to suspend work.
Similarly, in Mandalay and Taunggyi, people are crowding and lining up; in Mandalay, sales are reportedly limited to 100,000 kyats per vehicle.
A Taunggyi resident said: “People should buy only what they need. Now many are stockpiling because they fear shortages. When people hoard, prices rise. And in this season, storing fuel is dangerous—especially the risk of fire.”
In northern Shan areas such as Lashio and Kutkai, many are lining up due to fear of shortages, and some stations have closed claiming they are out of fuel.
In the border town of Tachileik, demand has surged; stations have closed or imposed limits, and roadside vendors reportedly raised the price of a bottle of fuel to as high as 100 baht.
In Myawaddy, because of fuel shortages, private cars permitted to cross the border are going to fuel stations around Mae Sot (Thailand) to buy and stock up. In Mae Sot, sales are also reportedly limited.
Some analysts say the shortage occurred because Thailand halted all fuel exports out of concern that a Middle East strait blockage could worsen a global fuel crisis.
Due to the fuel shortage, the Military Council has issued an order: on even-numbered days, only vehicles with even numbers/letters may drive; on odd-numbered days, only vehicles with odd numbers/letters may drive.
⸻
5) Hearing on Myanmar held at Japanese House of Councillors members’ office
m.CDM, March 3
On March 2, a hearing on Myanmar was held at the office of members of Japan’s House of Councillors, focusing on Myanmar’s current realities after five years under an illegal coup and on achieving a genuine transition to a federal democratic system.
Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Kondo Shoichi, president of a multi-party parliamentary association supporting Myanmar democracy, and by U Saw Bwa Hla Thein, the NUG’s representative to Japan.
Union Minister Daw Zin Mar Aung (NUG Ministry of Foreign Affairs) joined online to discuss the situation inside Myanmar; some documentary videos were also shown. 88 Generation student leader U Min Ko Naing and Karenni ethnic leader Khun Bee Htoo also sent video messages describing efforts of the Myanmar Spring Revolution and conveying messages to the international community, according to the NUG representative office in Japan.
Such hearings have previously been held around the February 1 coup anniversary and when NUG ministers visit Japan; it is said around ten hearings have been held.
This time, attendees included NUG representatives in Japan, multi-party lawmakers supporting Myanmar’s democracy, officials from embassies such as the U.S. and Malaysia, Japanese labor union leaders, media, and Japanese supporters of Myanmar. Attendance exceeded 100 people.
The NUG representative office also expressed special thanks to Mr. Ishibashi Michihiro, the association’s secretary-general, and its members for organizing the hearing.
⸻
6) Australian senator says firm U.S. and Israeli action against Iran—seen as backing Myanmar’s military—could bring change for Myanmar
m.CDM, March 3
Dean Smith, an upper-house senator from Western Australia, said that decisive action taken by the United States and Israel against Iran—which he says has been supporting Myanmar’s military—could also lead to changes in Myanmar’s situation.
In a statement issued on March 1 regarding Iran, Senator Smith said Iran is a force that causes instability domestically and beyond, and he expressed support for action taken against Iran.
He said such opposition and action could help democracy re-emerge in Iran and bring greater regional stability. He also expressed hope that the direction of conflicts fueled by Iran’s behind-the-scenes support—including Myanmar’s political crisis—could be altered by these actions.
He condemned Iran for systematic repression, including arbitrary detention, severe human rights abuses, and violent crackdowns on peaceful protesters, and said Iran is among the top states supporting terrorism abroad.
He further said Iran violates basic human dignity by persecuting political opponents, religious minorities, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
He compared Iran’s government to Myanmar’s military dictators, and said he is proud to have long supported Iran’s community in Western Australia and the cause of restoring democracy in Iran.
He noted that he currently serves as chair of a legislative scrutiny committee and as deputy chair of a foreign affairs, defense, and trade committee, and that he has been actively involved in advocating for Myanmar’s democracy in Australia’s parliament.
⸻
7) Over 3,000 political prisoners released from 31 prisons, but some under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) still detained
m.CDM, March 3
The Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) said that more than 3,000 political prisoners have been released from prisons across Myanmar, but some detainees charged or sentenced under Sections 50(j) and 52(a) have not actually been freed, despite being listed in the amnesty.
Based on information collected up to 1:00 pm on March 3, PPNM said a total of 3,613 political prisoners were released from 31 prisons nationwide.
These included: over 900 from Obo Prison, 339 from Magway Prison, 247 from Monywa Prison, and 284 from Taung Lay Lone Prison, among others.
Although the Military Council announced amnesty for those sentenced or facing trial under Sections 52(a) and 50(j), some prisoners under those sections have not been released even though their names appear on the list.
In particular, at Daik-U Prison, out of around 250 people expected to be released, more than 200 political prisoners have not been freed and remain detained, according to PPNM.
Similarly, many prisons—including Myingyan, Paungde, Maubin, Obo, and Insein—reportedly still have detainees under those sections who have not been released. PPNM called for their immediate release, and urged the unconditional release of all those detained under other political charges as well.
⸻
😎 FBI says it will work with Thai police to eradicate “online scam” gangs; releases photos monitoring scam compounds along Myanmar border
m.CDM, March 3
The U.S. FBI and the Royal Thai Police have released some news photos stating they are working together to eradicate entrenched online scam gangs (“kya-phyan”) across Southeast Asia.
The Bangkok-based FBI Legal Attaché office said on March 3, via its official Facebook and X accounts, that it is working with Thai authorities to combat transnational criminal gangs.
Among the photos released was one showing observation and inspection of scam compounds on the Myanmar side of Karen State from the Thai side. Some analysts see this as a strong warning to border-area scam gangs.
The FBI said these scam networks have caused billions of dollars in losses worldwide, and that it is building strong partnerships with top foreign law enforcement and intelligence agencies to better protect U.S. citizens.
At a press briefing on February 24, an FBI senior official said the U.S. is determined to lead efforts to combat scam gangs in Southeast Asia.
The FBI also said it has deployed agents to trace financial flows and is working closely with Thai authorities.
After the FBI press briefing, the Military Council claimed it raided and arrested some scam operations in DKBA areas; however, locals said those were merely staged raids and that many scam businesses still remain in BGF and DKBA areas.
⸻
9) AAPP says one politically motivated arrest in February; 95 democracy activists and civilians killed due to junta actions
m.CDM, March 3
The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) said today (March 3) that across Myanmar, in February alone, there was one politically motivated arrest and a total of 95 deaths among democracy activists and civilians due to the terrorist junta.
It said it released a monthly summary report based on the information it has collected. Among the 95 deaths, at least one person died after being arrested, for various reasons.
AAPP said the figures reflect what it could access and confirm by name, meaning the actual number on the ground may be higher. It also said it separately recorded around 46 deaths still awaiting confirmation and is continuing verification.
AAPP added that although more than five years have passed since the coup and the junta attempted to hold a sham election, it continues committing abuses: bombing civilians, arbitrary arrests and killings, bombing religious buildings, schools and hospitals, and targeting political prisoners.
AAPP said these acts openly constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, and that the junta is using fear to maintain power and shows no interest in dialogue—therefore stability and peace will not be possible unless such actions stop.
Finally, the news presented today was contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.