Myanmar army, ethnic ally take 100 civilians captive in advance on Banmauk

Myanmar’s military and the allied Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) took around 100 civilians hostage last week amid clashes near the resistance-held town of Banmauk in Sagaing Region. According to sources, the captives were detained on October 7 when their village, Set Taw, came under attack by a combined force of junta and SNA troops. Resistance forces controlling the village, located about three miles west of Banmauk, were forced to retreat the same day. “After SNA and junta forces took control of the security outposts in Set Taw, all civilians who stayed behind to care for their homes were captured. They were blindfolded during their detention, though some managed to flee,” a resident of the area told Myanmar Now. The detainees were reportedly transported west of Banmauk in tarpaulin-covered vehicles. Their current whereabouts remain unknown. Most of Set Taw’s residents had fled since late September due to fighting near Banmauk, with only a few who were concerned about the safety of their property staying behind. The source confirmed that over 100 villagers were detained, based on reports from those who managed to escape. Some detainees have reportedly been forced to dig bunkers and perform hard labour on Sein Phyu Hill, located a few miles northwest of Banmauk. However, this information could not be independently verified. On September 15, forces aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG) and other resistance groups launched offensives against Banmauk, located near Sagaing’s border with Kachin State. Within five days, they had taken control of the town. During this period, SNA forces withdrew to their strongholds to the west and north of Banmauk, from which they later launched a counteroffensive that pushed the resistance forces back to within three miles of the town, according to a local source close to the Banmauk Township People’s Administration Team. “The resistance initially held Banmauk and the surrounding area up to nine miles away. However, they withdrew to avoid civilian casualties from the counteroffensive, and are now positioned about three to four miles from the town,” the source said. Currently, junta and SNA troops control Set Taw, where reports indicate that they are looting homes, stealing property, and burning some houses. Set Taw, a village of nearly 1,000 households, is predominantly inhabited by members of the Kadu ethnic group. Kadu youths were among those fighting on the side of the anti-regime forces. On Monday, the regime carried out an airstrike on Banmauk. However, no casualties were reported, as most of the town’s inhabitants had fled to resistance-controlled villages to the east. Military tensions remain high west of Banmauk, where both sides continue active operations. According to official data, Banmauk had a population of over 6,000 in 2019, while the broader township has more than 100,000 residents. Most people in the area rely on agriculture, gold mining, and timber production for their livelihoods. Indaw, a town about 28 miles southeast of Banmauk, has been under resistance control since April of this year, while Pinlebu, some 60 miles to the southwest, was captured by NUG-led forces in October 2024. The SNA, founded in July 1989, operates in areas of upper Sagaing Region and southern Kachin State predominantly inhabited by the Shanni people. Local defence groups report that after the 2021 military coup, the SNA initially trained individuals to fight the regime that had seized power, but later aligned more closely with junta forces.

Myanmar army, ethnic ally take 100 civilians captive in advance on Banmauk

Junta forces and the allied Shanni Nationalities Army are now within three miles of Banmauk, captured by the resistance late last month

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