Hello everyone. We now begin today’s m.CDM domestic news program.
Today’s main stories include clashes in Kale and Paletwa, the killing of a Chin youth after being detained by the military authorities, reports of continued forced recruitment and arrests in major cities, a statement by Myanmar’s UN ambassador warning against accommodating the military authorities, and reported restrictions on overseas access to Myanmar mobile banking and digital payment services.
- Nine clashes reported in the Kale area; 12 soldiers killed, while an airstrike in Paletwa kills a mother and child
m.CDM, August 27
Nine clashes reportedly took place between resistance forces and a military column advancing along the Yagyi–Mingin–Kalewa road in Sagaing Region’s Kale District, leaving 12 soldiers dead, according to the Mingin Township People’s Defense Organization.
The approximately 300-strong military column, led by a deputy battalion commander from Light Infantry Battalion 544, began advancing along the route in the fourth week of June.
Resistance forces said they fought the column nine times between June 23 and 25 in Mingin Township. Seven soldiers were reportedly killed at the scene, while five others who were seriously wounded later died.
Resistance forces said they seized military equipment including an SPS110 portable jammer gun, 60-mm and 40-mm grenades, an RPG-7 round, uniforms, mines, a mine detector, a generator, solar panels and a laptop.
The military column was also accused of killing a 45-year-old man from Kyauk Maw village before continuing toward Kalewa.
Separately, residents said military aircraft bombed Meezar village and surrounding areas in Paletwa Township on the afternoon of August 26. Five fighter jets were reportedly involved. A mother and child were killed and at least six other people were injured.
A day earlier, on August 25, an airstrike reportedly hit an MDF military training school in Shwe Laik Wa village, killing five resistance fighters from MDF, CNDF and PDF-Zoland.
- Chin youth reportedly dies after military detention in Kale; forced recruitment continues in major cities
m.CDM, August 27
A 27-year-old Chin man named Pa Do Sian Mang reportedly died after being arrested by military authorities in Kale, Sagaing Region.
Originally from Heilei village in Tedim Township, he worked as a taxi driver in Kale. He was reportedly detained on August 25 while delivering goods after soldiers became suspicious of him.
People close to the victim said he was severely beaten during interrogation. Military authorities reportedly told the family that he had died of heart disease and returned his body. However, acquaintances said he had previously been healthy and that there were visible signs of physical injuries.
Meanwhile, reports of forced recruitment and arbitrary arrests of young men continue in Monywa, Mandalay and Yangon.
In Monywa, at least nine young men were reportedly detained near Phaya Ni on August 26. One eyewitness said soldiers struck a young motorcyclist with a vehicle before arresting him. Three more youths were reportedly taken from a phone-accessories shop on Union Road the following day.
A local information group said more than 30 men a day were being seized in Monywa Township and that groups of detainees were being transported to the military’s 33rd Division.
In Mandalay, residents said at least 100 young people had been detained during August. Military personnel and members of Pyu Saw Htee groups were reportedly conducting household checks and making arrests both at homes and on the streets.
Families have reportedly been asked for payments of up to 50 million kyat for detainees to be released, while those unable to pay may be sent for military service.
Similar incidents have been reported in Yangon. According to Rangoon Scout Network, men in civilian clothes have been using vehicles to detain young people in townships including South Dagon, Thaketa and Insein. Additional arrests were also reported near Mingalar Taung Nyunt night market.
- Military reportedly suffers heavy losses in Minhla fighting
m.CDM, August 27
The Burma Defense Force–USBA said military forces suffered heavy casualties during seven days of fighting in Minhla Township, Magway Region.
According to the group, an initial military column of around 100 troops advanced from Mindon but retreated to the Kyauktine base on the night of August 23 after more than 20 soldiers were reportedly killed and about 30 others were hospitalized.
The retreat was supported by airstrikes, artillery and drones, the group said.
Resistance forces claimed they seized a military truck, a generator and ammunition.
The military reportedly reinforced its forces with around 200 additional troops and launched another advance from Mindon on August 24. By the evening of August 26, the troops had reportedly reached a police station about eight miles from Kyauktine.
USBA warned residents to prepare for possible further military movements in the area.
- Thayet District resistance group announces rewards targeting military officers
m.CDM, August 27
A resistance official in Thayet District has announced financial rewards for newly recruited soldiers who turn against military officers while being deployed toward the Rakhine Yoma from western Mindon Township.
Thayet District People’s Defense Organization official Ko Bo Hein said rewards would range from 10 million kyat for a second lieutenant to 100 million kyat for a colonel, depending on rank.
He urged soldiers who had been forcibly recruited to defect with their weapons rather than participate in military operations toward areas controlled by the Arakan Army.
The resistance official also cited difficult terrain and the prevalence of malaria in the Mindon area as additional risks facing deployed troops.
He said previous military recruits who defected to resistance forces had been provided protection and opportunities to resettle.
Reports indicate that around 1,500 military reinforcements have recently been deployed to western Mindon Township near the Rakhine Yoma. The military is believed to be attempting to establish a route toward Taungup in southern Rakhine State, which is controlled by the Arakan Army.
- Special Regional Military Command holds commanders’ meeting
m.CDM, August 27
Commanders from the People’s Defense Force’s Special Regional Military Command under Operations Area No. 1 held a meeting on August 23 and 24.
Regional commanders, tactical commanders, battalion commanders and deputy battalion commanders reportedly attended.
Participants reviewed military operations conducted over the past year in Bago Region, Mon State and Karen State, including strengths, weaknesses and lessons learned.
They also discussed future objectives, operational plans and the needs of personnel serving in various units.
The Special Regional Military Command reportedly includes 12 PDF battalions, seven drone and specialized support units, three People’s Defense Organization combat columns and three locally based defense forces organized under four tactical commands.
These forces operate mainly in KNU Brigade 6 territory in Karen State, Mon State and the Sittaung River basin in Bago Region.
- Mon groups call for greater unity among revolutionary forces
m.CDM, August 27
Ahead of the 79th Mon Revolution Day on August 28, the Mawlamyine University Students’ Union and the New Ramanya Federal Force, or NRFF, issued a joint statement calling for unity among Mon revolutionary organizations.
The statement said greater unity among currently divided Mon resistance forces reflects the wishes of the Mon public.
It called for stronger strategic military and political cooperation and urged the rapid establishment of a revolutionary Mon State government.
The two groups also called for greater recognition of young revolutionaries, transparency and accountability toward the public, and stronger protection of the fundamental rights and security of Mon civilians.
The statement said generations of Mon leaders, fighters and civilians had struggled for nearly eight decades, yet national equality and self-determination remained unrealized.
It urged Mon people to unite against what it described as a common enemy and to treat resistance as a national responsibility while ensuring that revolutionary organizations remain accountable to the public.
- Myanmar’s UN ambassador warns against accommodating the military authorities
m.CDM, August 27
Myanmar’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kyaw Moe Tun, warned that accommodating or engaging in what he described as inappropriate relations with the military authorities would embolden them and encourage further violence against civilians.
He made the remarks during a UN Security Council open debate titled “Food Under Fire: The Security Council’s Role in Mitigating Global and Local Food Crises.”
Kyaw Moe Tun said Myanmar had faced sharp increases in the prices of basic commodities, fertilizer and fuel since the military takeover, while humanitarian conditions and food insecurity had worsened.
He accused military forces of burning farmland, crops and agricultural assets and bombing marketplaces, describing such actions as part of the military’s “Four Cuts” strategy.
He said attacks on civilians and mass displacement had severely affected agricultural production and livelihoods across the country.
- Military authorities reportedly order restrictions on overseas mobile banking and payment services
m.CDM, August 27
Myanmar’s central bank under the military authorities has reportedly instructed banks and digital-payment providers to restrict overseas access to services including KBZPay, Wave, AYA Pay, CB Pay and domestic mobile banking platforms.
According to documents that have circulated publicly, financial institutions were instructed to restrict overseas money transfers, payment services and mobile-banking access by August 28.
The reported directive calls for measures including geo-blocking, location-based restrictions and IP-based restrictions to prevent access from outside Myanmar.
Banks were also reportedly instructed to monitor overseas usage, document detected activity and report actions taken.
Following circulation of the directive, some Myanmar nationals abroad reported difficulty accessing their payment accounts. Some users in Thailand said CB Pay had stopped working for them from August 26, while some AYA Pay users reported access problems on August 27.
KBZPay reportedly remained accessible for some users.
CB Bank customer service reportedly said overseas login problems were technical errors rather than an intentional suspension and that normal service would return.
However, a banking source at another major domestic bank reportedly confirmed that the central bank had ordered geo-blocking, location-based restrictions and IP restrictions, although the exact method and extent of enforcement remained unclear.
If broadly implemented, the restrictions could make it more difficult for Myanmar nationals overseas to send money to family members, manage domestic bank accounts and make payments through digital wallets.
Some Myanmar migrant workers in Thailand are concerned that remittance costs could rise.
Technology specialists have also suggested that restrictions could include blocking overseas IP addresses, limiting VPN access, preventing OTP codes from reaching overseas SIM cards or requiring additional verification for new devices.
However, it remains unclear whether all these measures have been implemented, and banks have not yet issued detailed public statements about the full scope of the restrictions.
The impact on overseas Myanmar nationals’ digital payments and remittances will therefore require continued monitoring.
That concludes today’s m.CDM domestic news program. These reports were contributed by Ko Thit and Lu Lay.
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