Tatmadaw's Kyaukme victory marks another setback for the Palaungs
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Phyo (NP News) - Oct 5
According to a press release from the State Security and Peace Commission, Kyaukme town, which was temporarily under the control of the TNLA militants, was fully regained control on the evening of October 1, and department officials and employees returned to the town on October 2.
The Tatmadaw reportedly retook Kyaukme after 112 clashes over a period of more than 20 days.
The TNLA (Ta'ang National Liberation Army) took advantage of the political developments of 2021 and the subsequent situation of the Shan State (North) conflict that began on October 27, 2023, to undermine the government's governance mechanism and realize their dream of establishing a Palaung State. Rather than achieving this through political means, they obtained the assistance of some EAO groups and used the PDF terrorist insurgents as a frontline force, temporarily taking control of some towns and villages including Kyaukme and Nawnghkio.
Therefore, the Tatmadaw conducted counter-terrorism operations to retake control of towns and villages temporarily seized by the TNLA, DPLA, and PDF, and regained control of Nawnghkio on July 16, 2025.
The area has been cleared to reopen the Nawnghkio- Kyaukme road section, a major section of the Mandalay-Lashio-Muse highway, which is a major route for the flow of goods in the region.
To control the strategically important locations of Goktwin Bridge, Nawngpyit Village, Kanyingkon Village, Zeepingyi Village, and Naungpein Village in the first stage, the Tatmadaw advanced through difficult terrain and obstacles, an approach that the TNLA did not expect, and were able to retake control of the strategic areas on August 29, including Goktwin Bridge, Gokhteik Railway Bridge, and Shukinthar.
The Tatmadaw columns continued to make necessary preparations for a swift capture of Kyaukme, a major district capital in Shan State (Northern), and for the rapid reopenng of the Nawnghkio-Kyaukme road, as well as for attacking and eliminating the TNLA, DPLA, and PDF terrorist insurgents.
Since September 9, the anti-terrorist operation has been carried out by coordinated ground and air operations, dividing the Tatmadaw into columns and conducting counterattacks in stages. At around 4 pm (October 1), Tatmadaw regained control of Kyaukme and the Kyaukme-Nawnghkio-Pyin Oo Lwin Union Highway.
During the 21-day operation, 36 major battles and 76 encounters with the insurgents took place, totaling 112 clashes. 61 bodies, 41 weapons, ammunition and related equipment were seized from the enemy, and some Tatmadaw officers and soldiers were injured.
During their retreat from Kyaukme, the TNLA, DPLA, and PDF reportedly burned down the Kyaukme Police Station, EPC Station, District Forest Office, District General Administrator's Office, Fire Department building, schools, and religious buildings in a barbaric and senseless manner.
It was reported that bunkers were b uilt in departmental buildings, hospitals, and private homes in towns/villages and used to fire on Tatmadaw columns while the TNLA was in control, and local residents' homes were used as defensive walls to protect themselves and fire on the Tatmadaw.
The TNLA broke into people' homes and shops, and stole valuables, food and household items. The residents were forced to flee to the homes of relatives in nearby towns/villages and temporary evacuation camps due to extreme poverty.
According to sources interviewed by the Statesman, the TNLA, which has been trying to spread power through ill-intentioned armed means, is likely to give up the townships it controls sooner or later and return to its original territory.
“The main issue, I believe, is that losses are occurring due to the TNLA pursuing objectives through armed means. Also, when they occupy towns with weapons, they fail to exert control as they had hoped due to weak public support. Their proclamations and actions on the ground are actually counterproductive. As a result, they don’t gain popular backing. In particular, prioritizing their own ethnic group only alienates others. Moreover, the leaders lack political knowledge and broad vision, and I think they don't fully understand the stipulations in the constitution,” said U Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies.
During the period of fighting known as Operation 1027, the TNLA controlled 11 townships in northern Shan State and Mogok in Mandalay Region, but there were disagreements with locals regarding the administration in these townships.
In the townships under their control, the TNLA’s actions such as designating the Palaung language for official use despite the Palaung people being a minority. and other ethnically biased policies have led to a decline in local support.
The Tatmadaw has now successfully captured the TNLA-controlled Nawnghkio and Kyaukme, and is also conducting heavy offensives against Hsipaw, Mogok, and Hseinwi, and is expected to recapture these areas in the very near future.