Bridge linking Sagaing to Mandalay Region destroyed
Residents in Sagaing Region told DVB that the Yadana Sinkha Bridge across the Irrawaddy River was destroyed by a mine on Wednesday. The bridge connects Sagaing’s Kyaukmyaung town, which is controlled by regime forces, with Mandalay Region’s Singu town, which is under People’s Defence Force (PDF) control.
“Residents can’t use the bridge as regime and PDF forces control opposite sides,” a Singu resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that the destruction occurred near his side of the bridge. Zaw Min Tun, the regime spokesperson, blamed the PDF for the bridge’s destruction. Singu residents told DVB that the Burma Air Force carried out five airstrikes in Singu after the bridge was destroyed.
Singu, located 60 miles (98 km) north of Mandalay, was seized by the PDF in July 2024. The PDF announced on Oct. 29 that it would not withdraw from Mogok Township in Mandalay Region. The statement came just hours after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the regime in Naypyidaw signed a ceasefire, under which the TNLA pledged to relinquish control of Mogok and Momeik in northern Shan State.
Regime forces displace 50,000 residents in Sagaing Region
Residents and PDF members in Sagaing Region told DVB that around 50,000 residents have been displaced from their homes by regime forces as it attempts to regain control of the 94 mile (151 km) long road connecting Kalay Township in Sagaing Region to Gangaw Township in Magway Region since Oct. 7.
“The two counteroffensive columns from Kalay and Gangaw are at least 500 strong,” a PDF member told DVB. Kalay is located 144 miles (231 km) northwest of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. Gangaw is located 94 miles (151 km) south of Kalay, and 223 miles (358 km) north of the region’s capital Magway. The PDF reportedly captured three regime outposts in the southern part of Kalay in February.
PDF members told DVB that they had withdrawn from an unspecified number of outposts in the northern part of Kalay due to the regime counteroffensive which began in August. The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that it will hold its regime scheduled 2025-26 elections in 27 out of Sagaing Region’s total 37 townships, including Kalay.
Thailand’s Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the ASEAN 47th Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Oct 26. (Credit: Reuters)
India to repatriate 500 nationals who fled Myanmar scam centre
India plans to send an airplane to repatriate some 500 of its nationals who fled from a military raid on a scam centre in Burma into Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Wednesday. Starting last week, the military has conducted raids against the KK Park cyber scam hub, driving more than 1,500 people from 28 countries into the Thai border town of Mae Sot, according to local authorities.
KK Park is notorious for its involvement in transnational cyberscams. The sprawling compound and others nearby are run primarily by Chinese criminal gangs and guarded by local militia groups aligned to Myanmar’s military. Anutin said the Indian ambassador would meet the head of immigration to discuss speeding up the legal verification process for the 500 Indian nationals ahead of their flight back to India.
“They don’t want this to burden us,” Anutin said. “They will send a plane to pick these victims up… the plane will land directly in Mae Sot,” he added. Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India’s embassy was working with Thailand “to verify their nationality and to repatriate them, after necessary legal formalities are completed in Thailand.” Read more
News by Region
ARAKAN—Residents of Pauktaw Township told DVB that a five-year-old boy was killed and at least four others were injured by artillery attacks on Taungnyo village on Wednesday. Pauktaw, located across the river from the state capital Sittwe, was seized by the Arakan Army (AA) on Jan. 24, 2024.
A Pauktaw resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that two artillery shells fired from Sittwe landed on the village and killed one child. The AA documented that over 4,000 people have been arrested, injured or killed by regime forces since it launched its offensive on Nov. 13, 2023.
CHINLAND—The UEC announced that the second phase of elections, scheduled for Jan. 11, will not be held in Chin or Arakan states. It added that the polls will take place in 100 townships located in Kachin, Karenni, Karen states as well as Sagaing, Tanintharyi, Bago, and Magway regions.
“Since [the regime] failed to retake territory, the areas for the elections have been greatly reduced in Chin,” a political analyst in Chinland told DVB on condition of anonymity. The first phase of elections is set for Dec. 28 in 102 townships nationwide, including Hakha and Tedim. Read more
SHAN—Residents of Kyaukme township told DVB that the military has seized and sealed off homes belonging to people allegedly connected to the TNLA since Oct. 27. Over 60 buildings, including shops and businesses, will be sealed following the recapture of Kyaukme by regime forces on Oct. 1.
“The military arrested people who were in connection or supporting the resistance forces. Many residents have fled town,” a Kyaukme resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity. Kyaukme, located 66 miles (106 km) south of the regional capital Lashio, was seized by the TNLA in August 2024.
YANGON—Regime media reported on Wednesday that film director Mike Tee and two actors were arrested at their homes for criticizing an election campaign video on social media. Mike Tee and the other two others were charged under the Election Protection Law, which was enacted on July 29.
“Mike Tee was pardoned from previous charges so he will be punished,” Zaw Min Tun told pro-regime media on Oct. 28. He added that anybody criticizing the regime’s 2025-26 elections will be prosecuted. Resistance forces claimed that they will “take action” against the actors in the video.
(Exchange rate: $1 USD = 4,070 MMK)
Watch our latest: Campaigning for regime elections begins in Myanmar. Find DVB English News on X, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok & Bluesky. Subscribe to us on YouTube.
