The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) says it seized two Myanmar junta bases in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State, on Friday, prompting regime airstrikes.
The TNLA and its allies, including Mandalay People’s Defense Force, reportedly occupied Missile Battalion 606 outside Nawnghkio town on Wednesday after nearly two weeks of attacks.
On Friday morning, the TNLA and Danu People’s Liberation Army raided two bases at Goktwin and Gokteik, which were sheltering retreating Battalion 606 soldiers.
The TNLA said it seized weapons and ammunition and found soldiers’ bodies at the Goktwin base.
The junta used fighter jets, Mi-35 helicopters and Y12 airplanes to carry out airstrikes and Battalion 501 in nearby Kyaukme Township twice shelled the area, the TNLA said.
Fighting was reported near Naung Aww village in Nawnghkio Township on Friday.
The TNLA said it clashed with regime forces in Mongmit town, Shan State, on Friday. It said it seized weapons and ammunition from the Five-Mile base in neighboring Mogoke Township, northern Mandalay Region, on Friday.
Since June 25, the TNLA said it has seized over 80 regime positions and occupied Kyaukme and Nawnghkio towns in Shan State and most of Mogoke town in Mandalay.
The Myanmar Nationalities Democratic Alliance Army, a fellow member of the Brotherhood Alliance with the TNLA, is attempting to seize Lashio, the northern Shan capital.
The Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State in October last year, seizing numerous junta bases, commander centers and 24 battalion headquarters, as well as around 20 towns and vital trade routes with China.
The operation was halted on January 10 after the alliance agreed a China-brokered ceasefire with the regime, which held until late June.
