Myanmar Military News Updates – May 22, 2025 Morning
๐ฉ๐ฉ 1. Junta Air Force Drops 39 Bombs on Villages in Kanbalu; Two Civilians Killed
Between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on May 21, Myanmar military forces conducted an airstrike using a Y-12 aircraft to drop a total of 39 bombs on villages in the Hpyat Thin and Koetonebo regions of Kanbalu Township, according to local reports.
During the aerial bombardment, U Mhine and another man around 30 years old from Pauk Sein Kone Village were killed instantly. Additionally, Daw Sipoo from Thintaw Village sustained serious injuries.
Furthermore, more than 200 troops from the junta’s forces reportedly launched a ground incursion into Thintaw Village, located within the Koetonebo region of Kanbalu Township, advancing from Hpyat Thin and Koetonebo. Due to their operations and the arrest of local civilians, the entire village population has fled and is now in hiding.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 2. Junta Attacks Area Between Lweh Hkawng and Patring Kone Villages Using Poison Gas Bombs
The Democratic People's Liberation Army (DPLA) has reported that the junta launched an attack using poison gas bombs and heavy artillery on the area between Lweh Hkawng and Patring Kone villages, located in Kyaukgu region, Yatsauk Township, Shan State.
According to the report, between 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM on May 20, four poison gas bombs were dropped, and at 3:21 PM, another bomb was released, followed by the firing of two artillery shells at 3:28 PM.
It is also reported that in the vicinity of villages in the Kyaukgu region, junta forces have been recklessly firing artillery and conducting offensive operations. The junta has been repeatedly violating international law by using poison gas bombs, which are strictly prohibited under international treaties.
DPLA further warned that junta airstrikes are deliberately targeting civilians even in territories controlled by allied forces such as the TNLA. Therefore, they have urged the public to remain vigilant regarding airstrike threats and to stay updated on military alerts daily.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 3. Sixteen Junta Troop Bodies Found Near Helicopter Shot Down by KIA Joint Forces
Sources close to the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) have confirmed that sixteen junta soldiers' bodies were found near the wreckage of a military helicopter that had been shot down by KIA and its allied forces.
Among the bodies recovered near the charred helicopter remains was one of a junta officer with the rank of major, while the others were confirmed to be junta troops.
Additionally, a large cache of burned and destroyed ammunition was also seized from the crash site.
The junta, however, falsely claimed that the helicopter crashed due to mechanical failure.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 4. Seven Killed and Over Twenty Injured in Rocket Attack on Junta Military Training School in Bawingnaung
The Brotherhood Without Borders Movement (BWM) has reported that a coordinated rocket attack on the junta’s Army Combat Training School in Bawingnaung military base, located in Thaton Township, resulted in seven junta personnel killed and over twenty injured.
On May 19, a joint force comprising BWM, MKCDF, ACPLF, and Battalion 5 of KNLA Brigade 2 launched five short-range rockets at the training facility. Four of the rockets successfully hit their targets.
Among the casualties were two security personnel assigned to the training school headmaster and two deputy sergeants, who were killed instantly. Of the seven officer-trainees who sustained serious injuries, three later died in the hospital.
The remaining 19 injured personnel reportedly suffered non-critical wounds.
Due to the blasts, the school headmaster's residence and a military vehicle depot were damaged, with two vehicles destroyed. Residential quarters for officer-trainees, including the Ingyin, Thazin, and Nanshi dormitories, were also hit and damaged.
Explosions also impacted the central dormitory, the main school armory, and the school command office, causing minor damage to those facilities.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 5. Three-Day Operation Successfully Clears and Destroys Junta Base at Kwin Kyel Village
In Kwin Kyel Village, located in Okpho Township, Bago Region, a junta outpost was attacked continuously for three days and was ultimately cleared and destroyed, according to a statement released by Battalion (P23801) of Thayarwaddy District No. (1) Command.
The joint forces launched the assault on May 18 at around 5:30 a.m., targeting the junta’s fixed base and surrounding Kwin Kyel Village. The forces surrounded the location and engaged in a full-day assault. In response, junta forces provided artillery support from Pyinbon Pyu Village, using 120 mm heavy weapons, the statement said.
On May 19, at approximately 12:15 p.m., reports indicated that a reinforcement unit of around 70 junta troops was dispatched from the junta’s tower base at Theim Kone in Pyay District. In anticipation, resistance forces set up an ambush route from the Kwin Kyel direction and planted landmines, lying in wait in concealed positions.
On May 20, at about 11:00 a.m., the junta’s remaining forces from the outpost, along with the reinforcements—over 80 troops in total—moved through the designated ambush route. Between 11:12 a.m. and 11:16 a.m., they triggered two minefields, prompting explosive attacks.
Following the mine detonations, the joint resistance forces pursued the retreating troops with light weapons and cleared the area. By 2:05 p.m. that day, they had successfully overrun and destroyed the junta outpost at Kwin Kyel, the statement continued.
During the three-day operation, eight junta soldiers were killed, while one revolutionary fighter sustained injuries. Reports from the battlefield indicated the presence of decomposing junta corpses within the base, which were burned and cleared afterward.
The operation was jointly executed by the People’s Defense Forces under the No. (2) Military Region, Strategy (22), Thayarwaddy District Battalion (P23801), the Nat Ta Lin People’s Defense Force (Nat Ta Lin Pa Ka Pha), Battalion (3801), and the Bago Wings UAV Force.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 6. KIA and KPDF Joint Forces Ambush Advancing Junta Column at Dandaw Bridge, Resulting in Heavy Casualties and Seizure of Weapons
In Kachin State, junta troops advancing toward Hpakant in two separate military columns sustained heavy casualties and lost arms and ammunition after being ambushed by joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF) near the Dandaw Bridge along the Lawar-Kamaing-Nann Yar-Hpakant road, according to reports.
The junta convoy, comprising over 600 troops and accompanied by two military trucks, was marching on a 28-day operation aimed at securing Hpakant. However, they were intercepted near Dandaw Bridge by KIA and KPDF units, preventing them from reaching their target. Additionally, the junta troops received artillery support from a junta base at Hpakant, which fired three heavy artillery shells during the clash.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 7. Resistance Forces from Bago Pa Ka Pha Units Involved in Shwegyin Township Battles
Resistance forces from various Pa Ka Pha units in Bago Region have been engaged in the ongoing battles in Shwegyin Township, according to an announcement from Pa Ka Pha Athan (Voice of Pa Ka Pha). These include Pa Ka Pha units from Bago District as well as the townships of Waw, Kyaukkyi (Kawa), In Ta Kaw, Bago (Bya Gyi), Daik-U, and Thanatpin.
On May 8, 2025, the headquarters of junta Battalion 598, which operates under the command of the Southern Regional Military Headquarters, located near Nyaung Chay Htauk Village in Shwegyin Township, was successfully attacked and captured by combined forces including the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), battalions from the Ministry of Defense of the National Unity Government (NUG-MOD) Operations (1 and 2), Yangon Region Pa Ka Pha, Bago Region Pa Ka Pha, and allied units.
Following the loss of Battalion 598’s headquarters, the junta responded by deploying reinforcements and launching counteroffensives in the area. Resistance battalions and Pa Ka Pha units are continuing to fight back in defense, according to field reports.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 8. Junta Troops Stationed Near Yaung Daung Village Attacked by NMSP-AD
In Mon State’s Mudon Township, a junta force stationed near Yaung Daung Village along the Mawlamyine-Thanbyuzayat Highway was attacked by anti-junta resistance fighters, the New Mon State Party - Anti-Dictatorship (NMSP-AD) announced.
At around 12:10 p.m. on May 20, resistance forces launched an assault on troops from junta Battalion 318 stationed near Yaung Daung Village. The skirmish lasted for about 30 minutes. As a result, one junta soldier was killed and five others were injured. On the resistance side, one NMSP-AD fighter sustained non-serious injuries.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 9. Commendation Ceremony Held for Commanders and Soldiers Who Bravely Fought in Camp Seizure Operations
The Karen National Union (KNU) announced that a commendation ceremony was held to honour commanders, officers, and soldiers who demonstrated exceptional bravery in the battles to seize eight military junta camps located within Brigade 7 territory in Hpa-an District, an area controlled by the Kawthoolei administrative zone.
According to the KNU statement, between December 16, 2024, and May 19, 2025, the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) Brigade 7, under the leadership of Battalion 22, in coordination with KNLA and Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO) commanders and troops, successfully launched coordinated attacks and seized eight junta military camps stationed along the Thaungyin (Moei) River.
The operation was reportedly carried out with great courage and intensity, leading to the successful seizure of the military outposts. As a result, villagers living near the Thaungyin River have now regained freedom of movement and are able to go about their daily lives in safety and without fear.
In recognition of these achievements, a ceremonial event was held on May 21 by responsible leaders of KNU’s Hpa-an District Brigade 7, the Central and Hpa-an District chapters of the Karen Women’s Organisation (KWO), and local community members. Floral garlands were offered, and the troops were warmly welcomed in honour of their exceptional contributions during the battles.
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๐ฉ๐ฉ 10. PDF Insight Reports: Nearly 200 Military Camps and Close to 100 Towns Now Under Revolutionary Forces’ Control
PDF Insight, a group analysing military developments, stated that:
"Recently, members of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) convened a closed-door meeting without issuing any public statement. Despite their decades of experience, ethnic armed organisations have been largely acting in alignment with China's expectations. However, there remains no compelling reason to trust the military junta. China's continued support for the Myanmar military reflects a misguided investment in Myanmar’s political future. The growing military success of revolutionary forces inside Myanmar will likely shift China's stance."
The group further noted,
"At present, a significant portion of the country, comprising around 200 military camps and nearly 100 towns, is under the control of revolutionary forces. While the military still maintains fortified positions in some major towns and key strategic camps, their defence strategies resemble those of the Japanese army during World War II. Yet, the morale of junta troops does not even come close to that of Japanese soldiers."
PDF Insight concluded that, both in terms of domestic dynamics and international developments, Myanmar’s revolution is now entering its final and decisive phase.
The above report was compiled and submitted by Radio NUG reporters Tharki, Min Sitt Thway, and Khur Shel.
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