Myanmar’s regime has recaptured the key town of Mobye in Pekon Township, southern Shan State, after a major offensive.
The town on the main highway to Karenni (Kayah) State was seized by the Karenni Nationalities Defense Force and resistance allies in January 2024.
The regime retook Pekon town in November last year and has since repeatedly tried to retake the Pekon-Mobye road and Mobye.
With aerial, drone and artillery support, numerous regime troops seized Mobye on June 30, resistance groups said.
The regime’s forces included conscripts and Pa-O National Organization fighters.
Around 40 resistance members were killed defending Mobye last month, according to the Progressive Karenni People Force.
An officer in a Mobye resistance group said the regime had greater firepower, aircraft and artillery, and large numbers of troops.
A resident in Loikaw said the Karenni capital was around 150km from Mobye on the Pinlaung-Mobye road, if the regime could secure the highway.
“The regime will fight to reopen the Pinlaung-Mobye road,” he added.
In early last year, Karenni resistance groups took control of much of Loikaw before retreating.
Six Karenni towns and large rural areas of the state are resistance-held.
Resistance forces fighting in Hpasawng recently seized two junta battalion headquarters. On Tuesday, a junta fighter was shot down above the town.
