Myanmar Domestic News Updates – May 16, 2025 Evening
๐๐ 1. Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than Urges Heightened Vigilance Against Propaganda by the Terrorist Military Junta
May 16
The National Unity Government (NUG) convened its Central Committee for Interim Local Public Administration Meeting No. 16/2025 on the morning of May 15, 2025.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than stated:
“On the 12th of this month, the fascist terrorist military junta launched an inhumane aerial bombing on a school where innocent children were attending classes in Ohtaintwin Village, Depayin Township, Sagaing Region. As a result of this brutal attack, 24 people—including 22 students and 2 female teachers from Ohtaintwin School—lost their lives. Additionally, 105 individuals, including 103 students and 2 teachers, were injured.
The National Unity Government strongly condemns this heinous war crime that deliberately targeted children—the future of our country—and extended our deepest condolences to the families of the young victims. This atrocity highlights the ruthless and depraved nature of the terrorist military junta and reaffirms the critical importance of eradicating them from the roots.
Furthermore, the public must exercise increased vigilance concerning the junta’s propaganda efforts.”
The Prime Minister added:
“False news is being intentionally circulated to confuse the public. Moreover, disinformation is being crafted based on such incidents to spread divisive narratives aimed at sowing discord among revolutionary forces. Therefore, it is essential that all parties remain especially cautious and discerning.”
The meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Mann Win Khaing Than and attended by Union Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Permanent Secretaries, Associate Secretaries, and relevant departmental officials.
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๐๐ 2. NUG Ministers Attend Joint Meeting with the Central Committee for Interim Local Public Administration and Federal Parliamentary Units of Magway and Mandalay
May 16
The National Unity Government’s Central Committee for Interim Local Public Administration held Meeting No. 2/2025 with the Magway Federal Unit Parliament and the Mandalay Regional Parliamentary Representative Committee on May 15.
At the meeting, Union Minister for Justice U Thein Oo, a member of the Central Committee, delivered the opening address. Parliamentary representatives from Magway and Mandalay also shared welcome remarks.
Following this, an Associate Secretary from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration presented a detailed briefing on the current implementation status of interim local public administration. This was followed by a Q&A session with parliamentary representatives, during which relevant ministries addressed their inquiries.
The meeting was attended by Union Ministers, Deputy Union Ministers, Members of Parliament representing the Magway and Mandalay regions, Permanent Secretaries, Deputy Permanent Secretaries, Associate Secretaries, and relevant officials from various departments.
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๐๐ 3. No Military Presence or Weapons Manufacturing at Ohtaintwin Village School, Says Education Minister Dr. Zaw Wai Soe
May 16
Union Minister for Education Dr. Zaw Wai Soe has confirmed in an exclusive interview with PVTV that there was no military lobbying, weapons production, or stationing of troops at the Ohtaintwin Village school in Depayin Township, where the aerial attack took place.
He stated:
“Since early 2022, we have issued official declarations and legal directives prohibiting the stationing of troops in schools and hospitals. In coordination with the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health, we have strictly ensured that no schools are being used for military purposes. If such incidents occur, we take action. We are enforcing penalties and accountability measures, so I can firmly and unequivocally confirm that no school or hospital is currently being used by the military.
Moreover, no one is allowed to enter schools in military uniforms or while bearing arms. This is a strict policy enforced in all our community-based schools.”
The attack took place on the morning of May 12, when the school in Ohtaintwin Village, Depayin Township, was bombed from the air. The attack resulted in 24 fatalities, including schoolchildren and teachers, and over 102 people were injured.
In response, the military junta and its lobbyists have launched a disinformation campaign falsely alleging that the school was being used for weapons manufacturing and that junta troops were stationed nearby—claims categorically denied by the NUG.
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๐๐ 4. Based on Airstrike Experiences, Individual Bomb Shelters of at Least 2 by 2 Feet Should Be Readied Nearby, Says Deputy Minister Khun Soe Htoo
May 16
Drawing from experiences of airstrike encounters, Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation Khun Soe Htoo emphasized the need to prepare individual bomb shelters—measuring at least two feet in width and two feet in depth—close to living or working areas.
He explained,
“From front-line rescue experience, the SAC conducts airstrikes in three patterns.
First, when they're on the verge of losing a strategically important camp, the SAC conducts intense air bombardments around the battlefield to defend their position. They primarily target the combat zone and surroundings of their own camps. In such cases, casualties among resistance fighters are comparatively low.
Second, when aircraft sounds—often from 'Icon' (reconnaissance aircraft) followed by the notorious 'Nga Khat Soe' (likely referring to a fighter jet)—are detected, we get some time to take cover.
Third, after the camp has been captured and fighting ends, they tend to strike second-line facilities such as field medical stations or rear guard bases.
Injured comrades are frequently brought back to these medical points. Many resistance members rest at these facilities following battles. These locations often become crowded, requiring frequent dispersal and reassignment. Therefore, once a battle ends, it's crucial to relocate the medical posts immediately.
We’ve lost three rescue personnel this way.
In contrast, airstrikes on civilian areas typically occur outside active battle zones. These are not for tactical military objectives but are carried out to exert political pressure. Consequently, civilian areas suffer the highest number of casualties.
These airstrikes often happen without warning or preparation time—sometimes even at night—posing significant challenges. That’s why we believe it is essential to have individual shelters of at least 2 by 2 feet nearby for emergency use.”
According to compiled data from 2023 to April 2025, the SAC has conducted a total of 2,585 airstrikes, resulting in 2,952 civilian deaths.
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๐๐ 5. Myanmar Diaspora Demonstrates Outside SAC Office in Washington D.C.
May 16
According to reports, members of the Myanmar diaspora staged a demonstration outside the office of the military junta (SAC) in Washington D.C., United States.
The protest, organized by diverse Myanmar communities, took place in front of the SAC's presence in Washington D.C. The participants referred to the demonstration as a unified ethnic mobilization against the SAC and its key backer, China.
The gathering was described as an empowering, successful, and high-spirited protest, meant to show solidarity with the people of Myanmar who have endured more than four years of brutal military oppression under the dictatorship.
This report was submitted by Tharki, a correspondent for Radio NUG.
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