Around 400 regime troops have advanced from Magway Region’s Pakkoku Township into Myaing Township since Oct. 18 to retake control of oilfields seized by resistance forces in 2024. Residents told DVB that at least 800 regime troops have been documented in Myaing since May.
A Myaing resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that fighting between regime and resistance forces has continued over the last week. Pakokku and Myaing, located 105-131 miles (168-210 km) north of the region’s capital Magway, are partially controlled by resistance forces.
At least 100 regime troops have been killed in Myaing since they launched a counteroffensive to regain control of oilfields in May, residents have documented. Neither regime nor resistance forces have reported any official casualty numbers.
Regime forces have been destroying small-scale oil wells and refineries in Myaing’s Tegyi village since August, residents told DVB. Myaing’s Letpanto and Kyaukkwet villages, which host an undisclosed number of oil wells, were seized by local resistance forces in March 2024.
The regime’s Ministry of Information (MOI) reported that 866 “illegal” small-scale oil wells and refineries have been destroyed in Pakokku and Myaing since Sept. 18. The People’s Defence Force (PDF) has been accused of extorting residents who operate oil extraction and refining businesses.
Residents told DVB that they have lost income due to the destruction of the oil wells and refineries. A local resistance coalition called “Anyar Myay” stated on Aug. 13 that regime forces have killed 29 civilians and burned down over 300 homes in Myaing and Pauk, 136 miles (218 km) north of Magway, since June.
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