Chin resistance forces capture key road to Chin State capital Hakha

Anti-regime forces have taken control of the last of eight junta bases between the Chin State capital Hakha and the town of Thantlang, according to the Chin National Army (CNA). The group and its allies began fighting for control of the road on November 22, and finally succeeded with the capture of the Awto hilltop base on Sunday, said CNA spokesperson Salai Htet Ni. The regime’s forces suffered heavy loss during the offensive, he added. “We captured 20 prisoners of war, seized 60 to 70 firearms, and confiscated over 20,000 bullets. Notably, two battalion commanders of lieutenant colonel rank and four officers from their side were killed,” he told Myanmar Now on Monday. Seized documents confirmed the death of the commander of Homalin-based Infantry Battalion 222, while junta army sources reported that the commander of Hakha-based Light Infantry Battalion 266 died of his injuries in the hospital. Most of the prisoners of war were recent conscripts forced to join the army since the junta’s People’s Military Service Law went into effect in February of this year, according to Salai Htet Ni. Myanmar Now has not yet been able to independently verify the number of junta troops who were killed or captured during the fighting. According to Kaung Thu Win, a former army captain who defected from the military, the regime bases along the road were established after the February 2021 military coup.The road has served as a vital supply route for sending junta reinforcements to Thantlang, located some 22 miles northwest of Hakha, since the town became a major battle zone in late 2021. It is also strategically important for the regime’s control over Hakha. Houses burn in Thantlang, where nearly the entire population has been displaced for almost three years (Supplied) “This poses a real threat to Hakha, increasing its insecurity and making the situation more difficult [for junta troops there]. It brings [the resistance forces] a step closer to seizing Hakha,” said Kaung Thu Win. He noted that besides being home to state government offices, Hakha has a permanent Tactical Operations Command centre and is also where Light Infantry Battalion 266 is based. According to Chin resistance forces, the military carried out daily airstrikes and continuous shelling during the offensive to prevent the loss of its hilltop bases along the Hakha-Thantlang road. However, no airstrikes were reported on Monday. Chin anti-regime groups began launching attacks on the bases in July, but the junta didn’t respond with a counter-offensive until nearly three months later. Due to airstrikes and heavy artillery fire, the Chin resistance forces were forced to retreat, but they later resumed their offensive in the third week of November. Since the latest round of fighting started, around 10 Chin resistance fighters have been killed and another 20 injured, according to Salai Htet Ni. He added that with the junta army preparing to send reinforcements from Hakha, the fighting is ongoing, and the military situation remains highly volatile. Meanwhile, fierce clashes have also been reported near Falam, a town about 42 miles north of Hakha, as well as near Mindat in the southern part of Chin State, near the border with Magway Region. The junta is countering with air and artillery attacks to vigorously defend both towns, according to resistance sources. Since the start of their armed resistance movement, Chin forces have captured a number of towns in the state, including Rihkhawdar, Lalengpi, Rezua, Tonzang, Matupi, and Kyin Dway, and have gained control over areas near Webula, Hnaring, Surkhua, and M'kuiimnu. The Arakan Army has also captured Paletwa Township in southern Chin State, which borders Rakhine State, and has held control of it since early this year.

Chin resistance forces capture key road to Chin State capital Hakha

Allied anti-regime forces say they captured the last junta base on the Hakha-Thantlang road on Sunday

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