Myanmar Military News Updates – May 16, 2025 Evening
๐ฉ๐ฉ1. AA to Submit Evidence of Junta’s War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity to International Organizations
May 16
The Arakan Army (AA) has announced that it will submit reports to relevant international organizations regarding the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the military junta, including the indiscriminate mass killings of innocent civilians.
This statement from the AA follows the junta’s two consecutive days of airstrikes on Kyauktaw town, which killed eight civilians and injured 14 others.
The AA strongly condemned the junta’s ongoing nationwide campaign of war crimes and atrocities, including the deliberate targeting and mass killings of innocent Rakhine civilians.
According to the AA, on the afternoon of May 14, the junta launched an airstrike using a jet fighter on the Ywar Ma ward of Kyauktaw town, killing three innocent women and injuring five others.
Again, on May 15, a junta fighter jet circled the skies above Kyauktaw and carried out three separate bombing raids on Ywar Ma ward, killing five more innocent civilians and injuring nine others, some critically. The AA publicly released this information, stating that such ruthless and inhumane attacks clearly constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ2. Airstrike on IDP Camp in Thabeikkyin Kills Two Civilians, Injures Nine Including a Monk and Four Children
May 16
An airstrike carried out by the military junta on an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, has resulted in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to nine others, including a monk and four children, according to the People’s Defense Team of Pyin Oo Lwin District.
The attack occurred at approximately 9:48 a.m. on May 15, when a junta jet fighter dropped bombs on an IDP camp located between Nine Mile Village and Lan Lel Kyet Village in Thabeikkyin Township.
The airstrike killed a 60-year-old man and a woman. The nine injured include four children and a Buddhist monk, as reported by local defense teams.
In light of the junta’s continued targeting of civilians, the Pyin Oo Lwin District People’s Defense Team has urged the public to relocate to areas far from military presence and to dig bomb shelters to protect themselves from aerial attacks.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ3. Revolutionary Forces Attack Junta Checkpoint at Thar Paung Bridge in Dawei, Killing Nine Junta Forces and Injuring Seven
May 16
A joint revolutionary offensive was launched on the Thar Paung Bridge checkpoint at the entrance to Dawei Town, Tanintharyi Region, resulting in nine junta personnel killed and seven others injured, according to the People’s Defense Team of Launglon Township on May 16.
The attack, which occurred on the morning of May 7, targeted junta troops and Pyusawhti militia stationed at the Thar Paung Bridge checkpoint. The battle lasted around one hour due to return fire from the junta side.
Despite the junta’s response, the revolutionary alliance forces sustained no casualties, while the junta side suffered heavy losses. The joint forces withdrew from the operation at approximately 6:50 a.m., as reinforcements from the junta arrived at the area.
Participating in the assault were:
Dawei District Joint Forces
Daung Nyi Naung Column
U Oak Column
Dawei District People’s Defense Force Battalion 1
Launglon Township People’s Defense Team (Pa Ka Pha)
Myeik District People’s Defense Force Battalion 1, Unit 1
KNLA Special Operations Unit under Brigade 4
Dawei Township People’s Defense Team (DDT)
Drone Units
The revolutionary forces announced their commitment to continue targeting junta forces that have been oppressing civilians, looting properties, and carrying out arrests.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ 4. Arrest of Military Informants in San Hlan Village, Launglon Township
May 16
On May 16, the People's Defense Force (PDF) of Launglon Township in Tanintharyi Region announced that military informants in San Hlan Village had been arrested.
The arrest, which took place in the morning of May 10, was officially disclosed today. According to the PDF, prominent individuals known for their affiliation with the military junta—including Daw Ohn Ree, a water business operator, and her daughter Daw Zin Mar Soe—were detained.
Authorities seized a range of items during the operation, including:
A ledger containing names of individuals involved in narcotics transactions,
Records of regular financial payments to personnel on a naval vessel called “Kappine,”
Contact lists with phone numbers of senior naval officers, Naypyidaw officials, and associates of the junta,
Mobile phones with communication records linked to junta officers.
Additionally, 17 tablets of WY methamphetamine were confiscated. As the house was found unoccupied, cash, jewelry, and three motorcycles were secured for safety reasons.
Furthermore, U Thein Zaw (also known as “One Star”), an individual reportedly linked with the junta and involved in early-stage counter-insurgency efforts against armed resistance youths, was arrested alongside pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee members in San Hlan Village.
The statement also mentioned that U Aung Soe and his son Shain Thurain Moe (aka “Thar Mae”), both affiliated with the junta, were initially detained but released after pledging to sever all ties with the regime.
Ko Zaw Zaw Ngein, another San Hlan resident and known military supplier, was also arrested. However, he was released after being identified as someone with mental health issues and no longer maintaining links with the junta following medical treatment.
The Launglon Township PDF emphasized that these actions were conducted in accordance with the National Unity Government (NUG)’s definition of a “terrorist military informant.” The detained individuals will be handled in line with directives from the NUG’s Ministry of Defense.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ 5. Casualties Reported in Attack on Advancing Junta Troops in Natmauk Township; Five Resistance Fighters Injured
May 16
The People's Defense Force (PDF) in Natmauk Township, Bago Region, reported that several junta soldiers were killed and five resistance fighters sustained minor injuries during clashes with advancing junta troops targeting villages in the township.
On May 14 at around 6 p.m., a combined force of resistance units ambushed a military column of approximately 100 soldiers entering Htan Taw Village. The targeted column included junta troops and Pyu Saw Htee militia members.
Participating resistance forces included:
Detachment 3 of Battalion 3801 (Natsittha Force),
Detachment 4 (BRA Force),
Detachment 2 (Phoenix Force),
Detachment 6 (Ayar Yinaung Force).
The coalition intercepted and attacked the junta troops, reportedly killing at least eight soldiers.
At present, the junta is reinforcing its troops and advancing toward villages near the Bago Yoma mountain range. Resistance forces operating in Thayawady District have warned local civilians to remain vigilant due to heightened military activity and the increased risk of airstrikes.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ6. Shan South Military Subdivision Urges Support with Ammunition and Provisions for Resistance Forces Defending Moe Bye from Recapture by the Junta
May 16
The Shan South Military Subdivision has issued an urgent appeal for ammunition and provisions to support the revolutionary forces that are resisting attempts by the military junta to retake control of Moe Bye Town.
According to the statement, since May 6, the junta has been mounting a renewed offensive to reclaim Moe Bye—currently under the control of the People’s Defence Force Battalion-1 under the Shan South Military Subdivision, the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), and allied revolutionary forces. In its efforts, the junta has been cooperating with the Pyu Saw Htee militias and the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO), intensifying military operations up to May 16.
The junta reportedly deployed an estimated 600 troops, launching a ground and riverine assault through several villages along the border between Naung Yoe and Pekon townships, including Yay Pu, Swun Sway, and Lwel Lone villages. In response, PDF Battalions p3-1006 and p3-1009 under the command of the Shan South Military Subdivision, as well as Pyar Column—engaged in joint operations—have mounted strong resistance under the coordination of PDF Battalion-1.
Due to the heavy counteroffensive from the resistance forces, the junta forces, including members of the PNO and Pyu Saw Htee militias, have sustained heavy casualties over the past 10 days. More than 18 junta troops have reportedly been killed, and many others wounded, according to on-ground reports from column leaders and military tacticians, as relayed by the SSTOC-PDF-1 Communications Department.
The resistance forces have also managed to repel the junta’s intensified use of artillery, aircraft, and combat drones. In a significant tactical success, they downed two large junta attack drones and seized four MA-3 rifles, one MA-1 rifle, and a cache of ammunition.
In retaliation for battlefield losses, the junta forces turned their aggression on civilians. Over 20 civilian homes in Swun Sway village, Naung Yoe Township, were deliberately set on fire by junta soldiers, according to field reports.
During this ongoing conflict, two PDF fighters sustained minor injuries due to artillery strikes, while one member of the joint forces was confirmed to have fallen in combat, the statement said.
Fierce fighting also broke out in Moe Bye Town on May 14, where at least five junta troops were reportedly killed. Facing mounting casualties, the junta’s 422nd Light Infantry Battalion resorted to an excessive artillery barrage and the use of chemical gas bombs to cover a retreat into its base camp.
Currently, PDF Battalion-1 and joint revolutionary columns under the Shan South Military Subdivision are holding defensive lines against three advancing junta columns: the Moe Bye Town Column, the Moe Bye Hill Column, and a third force advancing along the Pekon-Naung Yoe township border. Military observers believe that fighting will continue to intensify.
With this escalating battlefront, the Shan South Military Subdivision’s command has called on the Central Command, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and both domestic and international supporters to provide urgent assistance in the form of ammunition, operational costs, and battlefield supplies, to sustain the momentum and continue the counteroffensive against junta forces.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ7. Successful Commemoration of the 4th Anniversary of the Khayan Township People’s Defense Force (PDF-Khayan)
May 16
It has been reported that the 4th anniversary ceremony of the Khayan Township People’s Defense Force (PDF-Khayan) was successfully held online.
May 15 marked the 4th anniversary of the founding of the PDF-Khayan force.
During the ceremony, tributes were solemnly paid to the fallen revolutionary heroes. The event featured speeches delivered by various prominent figures, including:
- Ko Naung Yo, Head of the Yangon Region People’s Defense Force,
- Comrade Aung San Shar, Commander of the Special Operations Force (SOF),
- U Yan Naing Tun, Representative of the National Unity Government (NUG) to South Korea, and
- Ko La Gun Ein, District Officer of Zone 2 of the Yangon Southern District People’s Defense Force.
In addition, commemorative messages were delivered by:
- U Kyaw Thwin, Member of Parliament elected in 1990 from Khayan Township,
- Former military officer Nay Myo Zin,
- Ko Min Min Dae Joon, and
- Ko Hmine Myo Set,
alongside several diaspora supporters from abroad.
Due to local security conditions, the ceremony was held in a modest and secure manner and concluded successfully.
========================
๐ฉ๐ฉ8. Sixteen Newly Recruited Junta Soldiers Defect in Four Days Amid Intense Clashes in Mobye
May 16
According to an announcement released today, May 16, by the Southern Shan Military Command, sixteen newly recruited junta soldiers have defected within the past four days amidst ongoing intense clashes in Mobye Township.
The military junta, in its efforts to regain control of Mobye, has launched a major joint offensive in collaboration with the People’s Militia Forces (PMFs) and the PNO (Pa-O National Organization). Beginning on May 16, they have mobilized approximately 600 troops via both land and waterways, resulting in continued fierce fighting to date.
Amid this escalation, sixteen newly conscripted junta soldiers who had been captured and held by the People's Liberation forces have now voluntarily surrendered and defected to the Southern Shan Region’s PDF Strategic Command No. 1 within the span of four days.
The announcement also noted that a significant number of those who surrendered are individuals who recently completed their 10th-grade education under the NUG’s new education system in 2023 and had been forcibly conscripted by the regime.
This news report was contributed by Radio NUG correspondents Ko Khant and Tharki.
#SpringRevolution
No comments:
Post a Comment