People’s Defense Force confirms two outposts recaptured by regime in Mandalay Region

The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB that regime forces recaptured the Ingyinmyaing Air Defence Base and the Sedawgyi Dam outpost in Madaya Township on Thursday. Madaya is located 25 miles (40 km) north of Mandalay.

A PDF spokesperson told DVB that regime forces have reached Tangamrauk village, six miles (9 km) north of Madaya, adding that residents fled their homes on Nov. 6.

The regime has also reportedly recaptured the China-backed Alpha cement factory, the Payaungtaung gold-mining hub, and the Mandalay-Madaya road, since its counteroffensive began in July.

The PDF told DVB that the military has intensified its attacks in Madaya since the regime signed a China-brokered ceasefire deal with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Oct. 29. 

The TNLA has reportedly agreed to relinquish Mogok, as well as Momeik in northern Shan State, as part of the agreement.

Soe Htay, a Mogok resident, told DVB that Mogok is “strategically important” and requested local and international support to help the PDF defend the town. The PDF told DVB that it took over TNLA positions in Mogok and began recruiting “security” officers on Oct. 31.

Mogok is located 101 miles (162 km) northeast of Madaya, 28 miles (45 km) southwest of northern Shan’s Momeik, and 76 miles (122 km) northwest of Kyaukme, which was recaptured by regime forces on Oct. 1. 

The lucrative ruby mining town, located 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, is a vital source of revenue for both the regime and ethnic armed groups.

Sources in Mogok told DVB that the National Unity Government (NUG) and the PDF will administer the town after the TNLA completes its withdrawal on Nov. 25.

The PDF warned residents of Madaya, Singu, and Thabeikkyin townships to make necessary preparations for possible fighting with regime forces and to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety on Nov. 10.

The PDF claimed that it had seized 35 regime outposts in Madaya, as well as Singu Township, in July 2024. Thabeikkyin Township, which has Thabeikkyin and Tagaung towns, were seized by the PDF in August 2024. 

Thabeikkyin town was recaptured by regime forces on July 23 but Tagaung and surrounding areas reportedly remain under PDF control. The two towns are located 57-90 miles (91-144 km) north of Mandalay.

The regime’s Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 — with polls to continue into January 2026 — will not be held in Mandalay’s Natogyi, Singu, and Mogok townships.

Mandalay Region has a total of 28 townships.