Myanmar’s junta has lost a vital symbol of its feigned legitimacy: the birthplace of the Burmese Empire.
Tagaung town was captured by People’s Defense Forces (PDF) under the command of civilian National Unity Government (NUG) on Monday, after a two-day battle.
Tagaung is in Thabeikkyin Township – the northern tip of Mandalay Region – on the east bank of the Irrawaddy River. The township borders Sagaing Region and northern Shan State.
Its capture by the NUG further comprises the junta’s ability to transport supplies and reinforcements from Mandalay city to Kachin State where the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and its PDF allies are knocking out junta positions.
PDF troops and residents of Tagaung celebrate liberation. / Thabeikkyin Township PDF
“Tagaung has become a regime-free town,” a member of a Thabeikkyin Township PDF said. “Residents no longer have to live in fear,” the source added. He spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
“Although there were no military battalions or bases in the town, about 100 regime troops, including pro-junta Pyu Saw Htee militia members, were stationed at several places, including a hospital, police station, administration department office and a pagoda in Tagaung town,” he explained.
During the two-day battle for the historic town, 64 regime troops lost their lives and 20 more were arrested, the NUG’s Defense Ministry (Region 1) said on Tuesday. Weapons, ammunition and anti-drone jammers were also seized, it said.
Two resistance fighters were killed during the two-day battle, the NUG’s Defense Ministry said.
The Irrawaddy could not independently confirm the fatality figures.
Resistance groups have seized the China-backed Tagaung Taung nickel mine and processing factory after around 50 regime forces surrendered in late July.
PDFs are now providing security for the nickel operation following an agreement between Beijing and the NUG.
Mandalay PDF and its allies are attacking the remaining regime bases in Thabeikkyin Township, As of Sunday, they had captured a junta police station, the headquarters of a battalion and several junta bases.
Mandalay PDF – with assistance from the ethnic Ta’ang National Liberation Army based in northern Shan State – has seized Mogoke and Singu towns in northern Mandalay. They have also captured more than 35 junta bases and outposts, including the headquarters of the Air Defense Battalion in Madaya township next to Mandalay city.
PDFs have also seized regime bases in Mandalay city’s Patheingyi Township, where the headquarters of junta’s Central Military Command is based.
They now control most of northern Mandalay – and they are pushing south.
A military analyst said Myanmar’s second-largest city is now under threat from the resistance. “The PDFs are taking control of the whole region east of the Irrawaddy River,” he told The Irrawaddy. “They now threaten Mandalay city,” he said.
PDFs launched coordinated offensives in southern Mandalay on Saturday – hitting regime targets in Natogyi, Myingyan and Taungtha townships.
