14 May 2026 By Ko Myo
SHWEBO, Myanmar — Resistance commanders in Sagaing Region have ordered a sweeping information blackout and the temporary shutdown of satellite internet services as a major military operation gets underway in northern Myanmar.
The No. 1 Shwebo District Military Command issued a formal directive on Thursday, instructing all revolutionary groups and civilians to strictly adhere to operational security (OPSEC) protocols. The order prohibits unauthorized entry into combat zones and mandates the temporary suspension of public Starlink internet terminals in the townships of Depayin, Ye-U, and Taze.
The directive emphasizes that combat details and data regarding displaced persons (IDPs) must not be shared on social media without the express permission of the district commander. Furthermore, resistance personnel have been banned from speaking to the media about active operations.
“The directive is clear: stay silent,” a local revolutionary fighter told MPA. “Social media has become a double-edged sword. People posting updates thinking they are authorized spokespersons have inadvertently leaked vital intelligence to the enemy. We can no longer afford these lapses in security.”
The order to disable Starlink terminals—one of the few ways to access the internet in regions where the junta has cut mobile data—highlights the growing importance of digital security in the conflict. While revolutionary groups may continue to use the technology for coordination, the command insisted that its use must be strictly limited for security purposes.
The Shwebo command warned that any individual or organization failing to comply with the new regulations would face “effective legal action without exception.” Media outlets have also been urged to rely solely on official statements from the People’s Defence Force (PDF) Sagaing Regional Command rather than unofficial ground reports.
As the resistance prepares for a potential escalation in the Shwebo district—a traditional stronghold of opposition to the 2021 military coup—the move toward a more disciplined and centralized communication strategy marks a significant evolution in their military coordination.
