Military counteroffensive nears Sagaing Region’s Tigyaing; Thailand-Myanmar border committee meets

Military counteroffensive nears Sagaing Region’s Tigyaing

At least 3,000 residents of Sagaing Region’s Tigyaing Township have been displaced since fighting between regime forces and the People’s Defence Force (PDF) began on March 19, after the military recaptured neighbouring Mandalay Region’s Tagaung town, 131 miles (210 km) north of Mandalay, from the PDF on March 10. Tigyaing is located 30 miles (48 km) north of Tagaung, and 182 miles (292 km) northeast of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. It’s partially administered by the National Unity Government (NUG).

A Tigyaing resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that regime forces are also attempting to recapture the China-funded Tagaung Taung nickel-processing plant in Tigyaing, which was seized by the PDF in August 2024. Pro-regime social media accounts claimed on March 26 that regime forces have arrived at the Mandalay side of the Tigyaing Bridge over the Irrawaddy River, 28 miles (45 km) north of Tagaung. DVB is unable to verify this claim independently.

Residents in Sagaing’s Katha Township told DVB that fighting between regime forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) began there in December. Pro-regime media claimed that the regime wants to reassert control over Tigyaing and Katha. Both towns are located along the road connecting Mandalay to Kachin State’s Bhamo Township, where fighting between the KIA and regime forces has been ongoing since December 2024. Katha and Bhamo are located 223-304 miles (359-489 km) north of Monywa and 214-278 miles (344-447 km) north of Mandalay.

Thailand-Myanmar border committee meets in Mae Sot

Officials from the Township Border Committee Mae Sot–Myawaddy, which serves as a regional-level mechanism for security cooperation to address border issues between Burma and Thailand, met in Mae Sot, Thailand on Wednesday. Mae Sot is located along the Thai-Burma border across the Thaungyin (Moei) River from Mywaddy Township, Karen State.

Zaw Han Oo, the regime’s Infantry Battalion 275 commander in Myawaddy, met with Thai officials to promote bilateral relations on March 25. The meeting was focused on border stability, improving communication and coordination, and strengthening cooperation on security matters, including the prevention of transnational crime and other illegal activities along the border.

Thai PBS reported that more than 20,000 liters of diesel destined for Myawaddy was seized by Thai authorities in Mae Sot on March 22. Thai Chief of Defence Forces Ukris Boontanondha met with regime officials during a visit to Naypyidaw March 17–18 to coordinate on border security and regional stability, regime media reported. Myawaddy is located 83 miles (134 km) east of the Karen State capital Hpa-an.

Thingyan festival plans continue amid fuel shortage

Regime leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing spoke about fuel-saving measures in the capital Naypyidaw on Wednesday, by promoting “Walking Thingyan,” which is an outdoor event where festivalgoers get sprayed by overhead sprinklers as they walk a footpath, in major cities to promote walking over using vehicles so citizens can still enjoy festivities during the Thingyan festival April 13–16.

A pavilion and Walking Thingyan footpath is under construction in front of Naypyidaw City Hall, located along the Pyinmana-Taungnyo road, pro-regime media reported. The Mandalay City Development Committee has planned over 40 pavilions near the Mandalay Palace. The Thingyan festival was cancelled in Mandalay last year out of respect for the over 4,477 killed during the earthquake on March 28.

A Thingyan pavilion is under construction in front of the Yangon City Hall, according to residents. A “Walking Thingyan” footpath was arranged on Maha Bandoola Road near City Hall last year. A Yangon resident told DVB that entertainment companies are selling tickets for a four-day private party at Inya Lake Park, located six miles (9.6 km) north of downtown Yangon, for 200,000 MMK ($47 USD) per person.

News by Region

ARAKAN—Traders told DVB that India’s Mizoram State banned fuel exports into Burma, via Chin State’s Paletwa Township, to May 20. Arakan residents rely on imports from India, since a military land and sea blockade began in late 2023 when the Arakan Army (AA) launched its offensive.

A trader living in India told DVB that inspections for fuel have increased at border checkpoints. He added nobody knows how much fuel there is in AA-controlled territory. One barrel, approximately 220 liters, of gasoline costs 1.7 million MMK ($404 USD) with petrol 1.5 million MMK ($357 USD), according to traders.

BAGO—The Bamar People’s Liberation Army (BPLA) shared on Wednesday that it and the AA are fighting against regime forces near the Directorate of Defence Industry (DDI) 16 in Pandaung Township. Pandaung is located 188 miles (302 km) north of the region’s capital Bago.

A source close to the AA told DVB on March 24 that it is within a three-mile (4.8 km) radius of DDI 16, which reportedly manufactures gunpowder. The AA expanded its Arakan offensive to neighboring Bago, Magway and Ayeyarwady regions in 2024. Bago Region has seven DDI factories, known in Burmese as KaPaSa.

SAGAING—A group calling itself the National Liberation Army came under NUG command on March 20, according to the NUG. The group, formerly known as the Myanmar Federal Army, was formed on Aug. 23, 2021 but changed its name on March 5, 2023. It operates in Tamu Township.

BPLA Chief Commander Maung Saungkha stated on March 7 that five National Liberation Army members were detained by the NUG on March 6. The NUG hasn’t shared any details about the detentions. Tamu is located along the Burma-India border 210 miles (338 km) north of the region’s capital Monywa.