Residents of Nawnghkio town in northern Shan State are evacuating their homes ahead of a looming battle for the town currently controlled by the ethnic Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
Nawnghkio is strategically located on the main Mandalay-Lashio-Muse trade route linking Myanmar and China and is a gateway to northern Shan State, where most townships are now under the control of anti-regime groups.
The TNLA captured Nawnghkio in July last year during the second phase of Operation 1027, a surprise offensive launched in October 2023 that saw revolutionary groups seize large swathes of territory from the military government.
Junta troops have been advancing on Nawnghkio town since early this year, forcing residents from the town and nearby villages to flee their homes.
The junta offensive came after the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a member of the tripartite Brotherhood Alliance along with the TNLA and the Arakan Army (AA), was forced to relinquish Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, to the regime under pressure from China. The AA is based in Rakhine State, while the MNDAA, a Kokang ethnic armed group, is from northern Shan State.
“Many residents have fled to Kyaukme as well as Hsipaw, Mongyai and Lashio. Fighting is currently taking place in Kangyi Village. Many villages have been affected by the fighting and displaced villagers are short of food,” said a resident of Nawnghkio.
The TNLA said at a press conference earlier this month that clashes had occurred in about 13 villages across Nawnghkio Township. The clashes taking place in Kangyi, less than 10 km from Nawnghkio town, were described as fierce.
Four civilians were injured in Nawnghkio town by junta artillery strikes on Jan. 4.
“Previously, town residents would temporarily flee their homes after one or two air attacks. Then they would return to the town. But things are different this time. The junta’s ground troops are gradually advancing, and residents need to plan for the long term when they flee this time,” said a resident.
After signing a ceasefire with the MNDAA in January, the regime stepped up its attacks to retake control of Taunghkam village in Nawnghkio Township, as well as Nawnghkio town. Lying at a junction between northern and southern Shan State, Taunghkam houses Artillery Battalion Headquarters 902 and three artillery battalions.
Under pressure from China, the TNLA met with the regime in China’s Kunming city on April 28-29. At the meeting, the regime demanded that the TNLA relinquish the towns it had liberated, which the TNLA refused to do. The two sides agreed to meet again in August. Meanwhile, the regime has ramped up its offensive in Nawnghkio Township.
“The regime is attacking Nawnghkio from two directions,” said Zin Yaw, a former army captain who defected from the Myanmar military. “From their current position and progress, it appears that the regime will retake Nawnghkio town.”
