Wed Aug 20 16:06:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, written from a neutral perspective, avoiding subjective terms like “junta-organised,” “illegitimate,” and “terrorist” and focusing on factual reporting:

**The Hindu: World Affairs – Myanmar**

**Myanmar Military Claims Capture of Key Town Ahead of Disputed Elections**

*Yangon, Myanmar – August 20, 2025, 9:36 PM IST* – Myanmar’s military has announced the capture of Demoso township, located in the eastern state of Kayah, following a 16-day battle. Demoso, approximately 105 kilometers east of the capital Naypyidaw, has been a site of intense conflict since the 2021 military coup.

According to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar, the military drove out a coalition of pro-democracy groups and ethnic armed organizations from the area. The report stated that six bodies were recovered and that members of the security forces were also injured or killed, though specific details were not provided.

The military’s control of Demoso comes as it prepares to hold elections starting December 28th in areas it currently controls. These elections have already faced criticism from international observers who view them as an attempt to legitimize continued military rule. The National Unity Government (NUG), a self-proclaimed administration in exile comprised of former parliamentarians, has condemned the planned vote.

Demoso’s location at the intersection of two major highways connecting Naypyidaw and Yangon makes it strategically significant. The United Nations estimates that over 130,000 people have been displaced in Kayah State due to ongoing conflict.

Preparations for the election have been controversial. A recent census conducted by the government reached only around 60% of the population, raising questions about the inclusiveness and representativeness of the vote. Some former lawmakers have called for a boycott of the election, and the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Aung San Suu Kyi, has been dissolved.

The NUG has called on all revolutionary groups to resist the election, viewing it as an attempt by the military to solidify its power. Conflict monitors anticipate a potential increase in violence as the election approaches, with the military seeking to extend its control and opposition groups aiming to disrupt the vote in areas they hold.

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