A Myanmar pro-military social media account claimed that regime forces launched a counteroffensive on July 13 to re-take control of Mogok Township in Mandalay Region, which was seized by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on July 23, 2024.
“[Mogok] town is operating normally. It is uneasy to flee to another town. People from Mogok are being targeted by the military because we welcomed the resistance forces [when they arrived last year] with flowers,” a resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
Regime media reported the recapture of Nawnghkio Township in northern Shan State on July 17, highlighting its strategic importance due to its location on the key Myanmar-China border trade route. The Mandalay–Muse road, also known as No. 14 Asia Highway, passes through the town from west to east.
The TNLA reported on July 16 that its administrative offices in Nawnghkio were relocated to a “safer place” and that fighting with regime forces in Nawnghkio continued. It claimed that the regime’s “deliberate attacks” on civilians killed 23 and injured 88 others in Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Hsipaw, Mogok and Mongngaw — all under TNLA control — since May.
Pro-military social media channels have reported that regime forces next want to re-take Mogok, located 124 miles (200 km) northeast of Mandalay and home to lucrative ruby mines.
The regime launched a counteroffensive last month against resistance forces in Thabeikkyin Township, Mandalay Region, which is located along Mandalay-Mogok highway. Thabeikkyin was seized by the People’s Defense Force (PDF) in August. It is located 90 miles (144 km) north of Mandalay and 55 miles (88 km) east of Mogok.
Four civilians were killed and twelve homes were destroyed by regime airstrikes on the Gaungooba neighborhood in western Mogok town on July 8. On that same day, a pro-military social media account reported that regime forces attacked the TNLA deployed inside a school.
Two children were killed by airstrikes on July 9 and 14 in Panmahtiake village of Mogok. A total of three airstrikes were carried out on Mogok July 8-14. The TNLA warns residents of more airstrikes, as the regime’s air superiority was utilized in the battle to retake Nawnghkio.
“Everyone is concerned and feels there is no place to run to when we hear the sound of aircraft. But I’m worried if they regain Nawnghkio and Thabeikkyin, it will be easy for them to retake Mogok,” a Mogok resident told DVB.
A pro-military social media channel called Hmaing Wai called on the Myanmar Air Force to carry out airstrikes on nine well known locations in Mogok on July 14. No reports from the TNLA suggest this was done.
“The military has retaken some of the outposts in Thabeikkyin which were under resistance control. Their forces have reached four miles east of the town,” a source on the frontline told DVB on the condition of anonymity.
A PDF spokesperson in Madaya Township told DVB that the regime wants to retake Thabeikkyin, so it can utilize areas along the Irrawaddy River it lost to resistance forces.
Aid workers told DVB that thousands of residents from over 10 villages in Thabeikkyin have been forced to flee their homes due to recent fighting.
Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, told the media at a press conference on July 5 that the ethnic armed group would attend a third round of talks with the regime in China next month.
Mogok residents are concerned that the TNLA will hand back the town to the regime, just as its fellow Brotherhood Alliance member the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), handed back Lashio and its Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters to the regime in April after seizing it in August.
