Hello. From now on, we will be reading and presenting m.CDM’s domestic news.
The news we will present today includes:
- More than 160 political prisoners, including President U Win Myint, have been released; NLD spokesperson says reports about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remain unconfirmed.
- U Ye Mon says the now-stable and mature PDF armed forces are the revolution’s main strength, and that a centralized command system will be implemented through the “SCEF” formation.
- KNDF Deputy Chief of Staff Marwi urges people not to remain trapped in narrow nationalism, but to work with both national and Union affairs in mind.
- A PDF deputy battalion commander from Special Regional Military Command Battalion No. (8001) was assassinated in Three Pagodas Pass, along with other reports and topics.
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First: - More than 160 political prisoners, including President U Win Myint, have been released; NLD spokesperson says reports about Daw Aung San Suu Kyi remain unconfirmed
m.CDM, April 17, 2026
On April 17, to mark Myanmar New Year’s Day, the military commission granted an amnesty under which more than 160 political prisoners who had been unjustly arrested, including President U Win Myint, were reportedly released.
The military commission said that President U Win Myint was released under Section 401, Subsection (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, with a condition stating that if he committed another offense, he would have to serve the remainder of his current sentence.
However, it is reported that the President firmly refused to sign the pledge, since he had committed no crime at all and was a person who upheld the Five Precepts. In the end, he was reportedly released under orders from above.
At present, the President has returned to his family home in Naypyidaw, and NLD spokesperson Dr. Myo Nyunt confirmed that his outward physical health is in good condition.
In addition, although widespread reports have emerged claiming that State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi would have around four and a half years reduced from her sentence and be transferred to house arrest, Dr. Myo Nyunt said those reports still cannot be confirmed.
“We do not even have the slightest information about where Daw Aung San Suu Kyi is. We assume things remain as before. We cannot confirm the reports that she has been sent home. They are rumors,” he explained.
Similarly, reports have also emerged saying that NLD patron U Win Htein and four chief ministers have already been released, but he added that this has not yet been confirmed through direct personal contact.
At present, some senior NLD leaders, including Dr. Myo Nyunt, are traveling to Naypyidaw and are waiting in hopes of meeting the leaders.
It is understood that today’s amnesty order issued by the coup leader, who styles himself as president, included 4,335 prisoners. However, according to confirmation by the Political Prisoners Network Myanmar (PPNM) as of 2:00 p.m., only 165 political prisoners had actually been released.
Those released reportedly also include documentary filmmaker Ma Shin Devi and Ma Aye Thwe Kabyar, a final-year Computer University student who had been sentenced to 10 years in prison under the Counter-Terrorism Law.
⸻ - U Ye Mon says the now-stable and mature PDF armed forces are the revolution’s main strength, and that a centralized command system will be implemented through the “SCEF” formation
m.CDM, April 17, 2026
On the occasion of the Myanmar New Year, U Ye Mon, Union Minister of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG), issued a New Year message on April 17 (Myanmar New Year’s Day) for revolutionary comrades and the public.
In that New Year message, he said that the People’s Defense Force (PDF), now in its fifth year, has reached a stage of maturity and stability, and that “this stability and maturity are the revolution’s main strength.”
He said that during 2025, all PDF battalions and units had been built under a single command structure with successive levels of General Headquarters, Regional Military Commands, and District Military Commands.
He also stated that the revolution is currently neither stalled nor retreating, but continues to move forward steadily according to strategic plans. Although some towns had to be relinquished, forces on the ground are continuing to use guerrilla tactics to encircle the enemy again and maintain territorial control.
He said that the coordinated nationwide operations carried out during 2023–2024 had pushed the enemy close to military defeat, and that the regime had found breathing room only through forced conscription, sacrificing the lives of young people in order to prolong its grip on power.
Even so, he pointed out that the junta forces can now conduct offensives only on a limited scale and are suffering major troop losses, and encouraged supporters by saying that, in the end, it will be the revolutionary forces’ endurance and resilience that determine the outcome.
On the political front as well, he explained that the formation of the Steering Council for Emergence of the Federal Democratic Union (SCEF) marks an advance for the revolution, and that political and military organizations will be implemented under “One Policy, One Strategy.”
“SCEF will include both political and military formations. On the military side, we will build a centralized command system and draft and implement a nationwide military strategy,” U Ye Mon pledged.
In conclusion, he urged revolutionary civilians and fighters to continue marching toward their goal with determination under strong leadership and the right strategy, saying that SCEF is a sign of strengthened national unity and that this strength must now be used as a foundation.
⸻ - KNDF Deputy Chief of Staff Marwi urges people not to remain trapped in narrow nationalism, but to work with both national and Union affairs in mind
m.CDM, April 17
KNDF Deputy Chief of Staff Marwi strongly urged people not to remain trapped in narrow nationalism, but instead to work with a broader vision of nationalism and Union affairs.
He made these remarks on April 17, Myanmar New Year’s Day, while delivering New Year greetings to revolutionary civilians and KNDF fighters.
He said that because of the evil power-hungry rulers led by Min Aung Hlaing, many homes of people across the country had been reduced to ashes, and many innocent children, women, and elderly people had died and suffered destruction.
He also said that because young people, activists, and politicians have been imprisoned, tortured, and terrorized in many ways, the country has for five years endured a severe crisis in which all aspects of social and economic life have collapsed. He added that the Spring Revolution, joined by people from all walks of life who are fighting to change these conditions and free the country from dictatorship, is still moving forward.
“Our revolution is struggling on with determination. But we are still continuing our work, sacrificing lives and sweat in order to achieve our goals. We all already know that victory can only be won through nationwide unity. So from this New Year onward, I pray that everyone fighting from all sectors for the complete collapse of the dictatorship will unite,” Marwi said.
He also said that people need to avoid, as much as possible, the kinds of internal fighting and division that dictators favor, and that such obstacles must be overcome with greater vision and wisdom.
He further noted that since revolutionary forces now control and administer many areas across Myanmar, youth forces are continuing the final battle together with ethnic armed organizations.
⸻ - A PDF deputy battalion commander from Special Regional Military Command Battalion No. (8001) was assassinated in Three Pagodas Pass
m.CDM, April 17, 2026
In Three Pagodas Pass, Kyaikmaraw Township, Karen State, within an area controlled by the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA), a deputy battalion commander from the People’s Defense Force (PDF), Special Regional Military Command, Battalion No. (8001) (Ye Guerrilla Force) was reportedly assassinated at close range.
The victim was reportedly a man known as “Yebaw Gyi,” the elder brother of YGF Battalion Commander Bo Kyan Yit. He was allegedly shot in the temple at close range near a DKBA checkpoint gate in Three Pagodas Pass on the night of April 15.
Local residents say that the person who ordered the assassination was a woman known as “Manaw,” who dominates the joint DKBA gate in Three Pagodas Pass. She was previously a member of the BGF and is said to have close ties with Brigadier General Saw Aye Wan, DKBA No. (2) command commander.
It is also reported that “Manaw” has close relations with junta battalion commanders and that more than a year ago she helped arrange an official meeting between the Thai military and the Myanmar military.
Sources close to the YGF say that the assassination was carried out by the group of Bo Japan Gyi, a former BGF member who had switched to the DKBA side, and that six people, including Bo Japan Gyi, have been arrested in connection with the killing.
DKBA spokesperson Colonel Saw Shwe Htoo reportedly told media that he did not yet know about the incident.
The YGF battalion is one of the forces fighting the junta together with revolutionary allied forces in Ye Township and in Mon and Tanintharyi regions, and it was formed as Battalion (8001) under the command of the PDF Special Regional Military Command in late 2025.
Local people point out that in the Three Pagodas Pass area, illegal businesses such as online scam operations, arms trading, and drug trafficking are growing, and because armed groups linked to the military dominate the area, revolutionary fighters face security threats at any time.
⸻ - Ta’ang Land Education Council says the congratulatory message praising Min Aung Hlaing and his government reflects only the view of TNLA alone
m.CDM, April 17
The Ta’ang Land Education Council (TLEC) announced on April 16 that the congratulatory message welcoming Min Aung Hlaing and the government formed by the coup military reflects only the view of the PSLF/TNLA organization alone.
This statement came in response to the PSLF/TNLA announcement issued on April 15 welcoming Min Aung Hlaing and the government formed by the coup military.
Civil society organizations in Ta’ang areas had objected to the PSLF/TNLA statement congratulating coup leader Min Aung Hlaing and his group, and TLEC also clarified that it does not represent their position.
In its statement, TLEC also said it would continue standing together in solidarity with its partner organizations in building federal education and a federal democratic union.
TLEC said it was formed with the aim of ensuring that students in Ta’ang areas do not lose access to education due to the military coup and the COVID pandemic, and to create opportunities for them to continue learning. It also said it has been consistently implementing a free and just, locally based federal education system.
It is understood that from the time of its founding, TLEC has been led by Ta’ang political forces, Ta’ang civil society organizations, and education experts.
⸻ - Completion ceremony held for a suppression/refresher training course of the Mattara Myo Hman force under the Special Operations Division command
m.CDM, April 17, 2026
The Mattara Myo Hman force, under the command of the People’s Defense Force – Mandalay (Special Operations Division) of the NUG Ministry of Defense, successfully held the graduation ceremony for its suppression/refresher training course in a liberated area, according to an announcement.
At the ceremony, held on April 13, the national flag was saluted, messages sent by partner organizations were read aloud, and awards for excellence were presented.
In addition, responsible officials from the PDF General Headquarters and invited guests gave speeches, while graduating fighters marched in formation in salute and also presented demonstrations by column.
Those attending the event reportedly included officials from the PDF General Headquarters, the Deputy Commander and officials from the Mandalay Regional Military Command, the Commander of Katha District in Military Region No. (1), and responsible officials from the Mattara Township People’s Administration Team (Pa-Ah-Phah) and the Htigyaing Township People’s Defense Team (Pa-Ka-Pha).
⸻ - Interim University Council of University of Medicine (Mandalay) announces permanent suspension of all cooperation with the Ta’ang Land Health Council
m.CDM, April 17, 2026
The Interim University Council of the University of Medicine (Mandalay) (UMMIUC) announced that it strongly condemns the PSLF/TNLA’s endorsement of terrorist military leader Min Aung Hlaing as president, and that it is permanently suspending all cooperation with the Ta’ang Land Health Council (THC) under their authority.
UMMIUC said it had previously planned to cooperate with the Ta’ang Land Health Council to provide academic support for the emergence of Tealand Medical School, with the aim of strengthening the health and education sectors in a balanced way during the Spring Revolution.
However, it strongly criticized the TNLA’s act of sending a congratulatory message to Min Aung Hlaing on April 15, saying that this ignored the blood and sacrifices of the people across the country and the wishes of CDM health workers, and amounted to a betrayal of the fundamental principles of the Spring Revolution.
“There is absolutely no reason whatsoever for us to accept any action that gives life to the illegitimate terrorist military group,” the statement dated April 16 explicitly said.
Therefore, UMMIUC announced to the public that it is permanently ending all ongoing cooperation, whether with the THC under PSLF/TNLA or with Tealand Medical School.
UMMIUC also pledged that it would continue to stand and fight as one with the people until the military dictatorship is uprooted and a federal democratic union emerges.
⸻ - Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) grants amnesty to more than 200 prisoners
Karenni, April 17
The Karenni State Interim Executive Council (IEC) announced that on April 17, Myanmar New Year’s Day, it granted amnesty to more than 200 prisoners as a New Year commemorative gesture.
According to the statement, in observance of the New Year and with emphasis on humanitarian considerations, a total of 234 prisoners held in various prisons and detention camps within Karenni State were granted amnesty and sentence relief.
Under Article 75, subsection (b) of the Karenni State Interim Arrangements, 25 male and female prisoners were granted full amnesty, while 209 other prisoners were granted sentence reductions as a form of relief.
Records also show that on June 21, 2025, to mark the 150th Karenni National Day, the IEC had likewise granted pardons to 28 male and female prisoners serving sentences in Karenni State prisons.
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The news presented above was contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.