Myanmar’s military regains control of Nawnghkio after nearly a year under rebel control

Myanmar’s military government announced the recapture of Nawnghkio, a strategic town in northern Shan State, from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). The TNLA had seized Nawnghkio in July 2024 as part of a broader offensive by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which also includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA). This alliance has been fighting for greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government.

The military’s operation to reclaim Nawnghkio lasted nearly 11 months, involving over 500 armed engagements, including 20 major clashes. The state-run Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the military forces faced significant casualties but ultimately succeeded by combining strategic ground and air military tactics. Photographs accompanying the report showed soldiers celebrating in front of government buildings, hospitals, and markets in Nawnghkio.

The TNLA, however, did not acknowledge the military’s claim of victory. In a statement, the group mentioned that it had moved its civil administration and service offices to safe locations due to the heavy offensive, making it difficult to continue administrative work in the town.

The recapture of Nawnghkio is considered a significant development in Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict. The town’s strategic location on a major highway linking central Myanmar to China and its proximity to the military garrison town of Pyin Oo Lwin make it a valuable asset. The military’s success in reclaiming Nawnghkio could potentially alter the balance of power in the region.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the TNLA, MNDAA, and AA, has been fighting for decades for greater autonomy from Myanmar’s central government. The alliance is also loosely allied with the People’s Defence Force, a pro-democracy resistance group that emerged to fight the military regime after the 2021 coup.

The recapture of Nawnghkio follows the junta’s recapture of Lashio, northern Shan State’s largest city, in April and brings the regime forces closer to other TNLA-held towns. With Nawnghkio under their control, junta forces are better positioned to attempt recapturing Kyaukme and Hsipaw, which are northeast of Nawnghkio on the Mandalay–Muse highway, a critical economic corridor connecting Myanmar’s heartland to China’s Yunnan Province.

The situation in northern Shan State remains fluid, with ongoing clashes and shifting control over key towns. The military’s recapture of Nawnghkio is a significant development, but it remains to be seen how it will impact the broader conflict and the dynamics between the military government and various ethnic armed groups.