Myanmar junta forces, ethnic ally retake three KIA-held outposts near Indawgyi

Myanmar’s military and allied Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) forces have recaptured three outposts in Kachin State’s Indawgyi area from the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) after a four-day offensive, according to KIA officials and resistance sources. The offensive, carried out from July 2 to July 5, resulted in the loss of the contiguous Lwe Kyaw, Padamyar, and Hohpar outposts near the villages of Long Ton and Ma Mon Kaing, located on the western shore of Indawgyi Lake in Mohnyin Township. KIA information officer Col. Naw Bu confirmed that the group had withdrawn from the positions but said details from the battlefield remained limited. “I heard that we had to retreat from some outposts in that area. However, nothing is known from the ground yet,” Naw Bu said. A KIA source in the Indawgyi area said Padamyar Hill, located along the Mohnyin-Indawgyi-Hpakant road about 35 miles north of Mohnyin, fell on July 3, while the remaining two outposts were captured on July 4 and 5 after fighting that caused casualties on both sides. “It is true they captured some outposts,” the source said. “We had to give back almost all the outposts we fought for and captured in March and April. There were casualties on our side too. But their side suffered more.” Pro-junta Telegram channels and several Shanni media outlets published photographs and reports claiming that junta and SNA forces had successfully seized the three outposts. Fighting continued in the Indawgyi area through Monday before easing Tuesday morning, according to the KIA source, who said junta forces were using heavy equipment to clear and fortify the recaptured hill positions, suggesting preparations for additional advances. Long Ton, located along the Mohnyin-Indawgyi-Hpakant road, is considered strategically important because control of the village and nearby Lwe Kyaw Hill provides a key position overlooking much of the Indawgyi area, the source said. Before the KIA seized the positions earlier this year, Long Ton hosted SNA forces, Shanni militia members, and troops from the military’s Infantry Battalion 389 under Military Operations Command 3. The KIA and the allied Kachin People's Defence Force captured the three outposts during offensives in March and April. In June, the military and SNA reinforced their positions in Long Ton, Ma Mon Kaing, and Mong Nawng before launching a counteroffensive on July 2. The SNA, an ethnic armed group representing the Shanni people, initially trained some youths opposed to Myanmar’s 2021 military coup but later aligned itself with the junta and has since operated alongside regime forces in parts of Kachin State and Sagaing Region. The fighting comes as clashes continue elsewhere in Kachin State, including Bhamo and Shwegu townships. Residents also reported fighting on Tuesday south of Mohnyin along the junta-controlled Nabar-Katha road. In neighbouring Sagaing Region, the military recently recaptured two villages along the Mandalay-Shwebo-Myitkyinah highway south of Indaw, which was retaken in April after more than a year under resistance control. Fighting has disrupted traffic along the highway for about a week, leaving cargo trucks stranded, according to local residents. The Mandalay-Shwebo-Myitkyina route, including the Nabar-Katha and Meza-Nant Thea-Indawkwin roads, has become a focus of intensified military operations. Since launching a major offensive in March 2024, the KIA and allied resistance forces have captured 14 towns across Kachin State, as well as Mabein in northern Shan State. Since assuming the presidency, junta leader Min Aung Hlaing has prioritised reopening transportation and trade routes, including border corridors controlled by resistance forces. In June, military convoys carrying supplies, troops, and civil servants reached Myitkyina under the stated aim of supporting rehabilitation efforts along the Mandalay-Myitkyina highway.

Myanmar junta forces, ethnic ally retake three KIA-held outposts near Indawgyi

The outposts, captured by the KIA and its allies in March and April, fell after a four-day offensive by junta and SNA forces

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