Six People’s Defence Force members and 15 regime troops killed during fighting in Sagaing Region

Fifteen regime troops and six People’s Defence Force (PDF) members were killed during fighting over control of four regime outposts in Butalin Township, Sagaing Region, on Dec. 28, the first voting day of the regime’s 2025-26 elections.

“We held [Butalin] for nine hours following the fighting. But we had to retreat due to a shortage of ammunition,” a PDF member told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that the town is now surrounded by the PDF and they have faced retaliatory airstrikes from the Myanmar Air Force. No casualties were reported, according to another PDF member.

The National Unity Government (NUG) stated on Dec. 30 that an unknown number of residents from 30 villages in Butalin have been displaced from their homes due to the fighting. Butalin is located 23 miles (37 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa.

The regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) scheduled the second phase of elections in 11 townships, including Butalin, on Jan. 11.