Military outpost ‘seized’ by People’s Defense Force in Mandalay’s Mogok

The National Unity Government (NUG) Ministry of Defence announced on Saturday that its armed wing, the People’s Defense Force (PDF), seized a regime outpost in Mogok Township of Mandalay Region during fighting with regime forces, which began on Nov. 30. 

Mogok residents told DVB that the PDF launched a “guerrilla style” attack against regime forces after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) completed its withdrawal and handed over the town, as a part of a China-brokered ceasefire, to the regime on Nov. 28.

A statement from the NUG on Dec. 6 claimed that it had evacuated residents before the PDF attack began and is closely monitoring intermittent fighting with regime forces in Mogok.

The TNLA agreed to hand over Mogok, as well as Momeik Township in northern Shan State, as part of the ceasefire deal reached with the regime on Oct. 29.

A Mogok resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity that food items like meat or fish have been unavailable in the market since Nov. 28 due to cargo truck drivers “fearing for their security.”

A regime airstrike struck the outskirts of Mogok town on Dec. 4, and artillery attacks were reported by residents on Dec. 3-4. No casualties were reported. 

Over 1,000 regime troops were escorted by the TNLA into Mogok during the last week of November, but no regime officials have arrived to take over local administration, according to residents. 

Mogok, 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, is a major source of revenue for both the regime and ethnic armed groups due to its lucrative ruby mining industry.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) told DVB that fighting broke out with regime forces at an unspecified location, along the 28-mile (45 km) long road connecting Mogok to Momeik, on Nov. 30. 

Momeik residents told DVB that hundreds of regime troops arrived in the town last week. 

The PDF told DVB that regime forces have advanced toward Mabein Township in northern Shan, as well as Twinnge village in Thabeikkyin Township, located in neighbouring Mandalay Region, where the KIA, the PDF, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), are based.

Momeik is located 170 miles (273 km) west of the regional capital Lashio, and 184 miles (296 km) south of the KIA headquarters in Laiza. Mabein, 35 miles (56 km) north of Momeik, was seized by the KIA, in January 2024.

The PDF told DVB that regime forces have retaken Thabeikkyin town from resistance forces and will likely regain control of all of Thabeikkyin Township once the Mogok-Momeik, the Thabeikkyin-Mogok, and the Momeik-Twinnge roads are recaptured. 

Thabeikkyin is located 90 miles (144 km) north of Mandalay.