Myanmar military advances across Bago Yoma corridor, burns villages

Myanmar’s military advanced into Nattalin and Paukkhaung townships in Bago Region in recent days, burning more than 100 homes before withdrawing on February 14 and redeploying to police outposts and other bases, local sources said. In the first week of February, junta forces advanced into eastern Nattalin Township in two separate columns, later taking positions in the villages of Damange and Ngoke Ta Yar, also known as Ngoke To, east of Nattalin town. Shortly after, the junta continued its push into other nearby villages, expanding their arson campaign.Local resistance forces said the military burned at least 100 homes between February 12 and 13, targeting the Nyaung Hla market area and Kwin San near Taung Nyo Dam. The junta also carried out airstrikes at the same time before eventually withdrawing from the area.Deputy Commander Nyi Nyi of the People’s Defence Force (PDF) told Myanmar Now that the junta’s new offensive is a concern. “They continued to launch airstrikes on the evening of the 13th,” Nyi Nyi said. “From the 14th onward, there have been no ground advances or airstrikes. The situation has remained calm. We know their troops traveled along Pyay Road in three to four military vehicles before pulling back into the town.” Sources say around 100 junta troops have now taken positions at the Taung Nyo police security camp in northeastern Nattalin Township and at other sites. Local PDF groups suggest this may be an effort to regroup and consolidate their forces, potentially signaling a larger push while first raining down more aerial assaults.Fighting erupted in several villages in Nattalin Township after February 11, leaving at least 20 soldiers dead along with one resistance fighter, a local PDF commander told Myanmar Now. Intensified fighting in the area followed a drone attack on a PDF outpost that killed six resistance fighters earlier this month. “Their advance has stopped, and they have pulled back for now,” he said. “But it seems they are trying to control a small portion of our territory to open routes for administration and supply.” On February 12, junta troops advanced into Paukkhaung Township, about 21 miles east of Pyay. The junta troops forced hundreds of residents from several nearby villages to flee. Hundreds of regime soldiers have set up at a base in the township, and troops shot and killed a 64-year-old man near Lel Di village, a local resistance officer said.Zin Yaw, a former junta captain, told Myanmar Now that because Nattalin and Paukkhaung Townships border Phyu and Kyauktaga Townships in eastern Bago, the junta may be provoking clashes in these areas to cut off communication routes. He added that it’s probable the junta is currently concerned about resistance links between the eastern and western regions. “Paukkhaung sits along the Bago Yoma passage connecting eastern and western Bago, which has prompted the junta to step up military operations around the Sittaung River in Karen State,” Zin Yaw said.“At the same time, the Arakan Army (AA) has been active near Nyaung Kyoe close to the Bago border, and the junta may fear these areas becoming linked. Their aim is to cut the route across the Bago Yoma.”Zin Yaw pointed out that the junta has widened its battlefronts across the Bago Yoma, also known as the Pege Range, and its passage routes to block resistance forces from gaining a foothold. He said the regime is continuing to conduct operations in villages across eastern Nattalin.Since December 2025, junta columns have expanded operations in western Bago, particularly in eastern Nattalin Township, displacing thousands of residents over nearly two months. Intense clashes and airstrikes in Nattalin and Paukkhaung in western Bago have claimed the lives of at least eight PDF members this month, and civilians have also reportedly been killed or injured.Last week, junta warplanes dropped bombs on Kyauk Pyoke village near the foothills of Saw Phyu Hill, killing a displaced woman. At the same time, junta forces have advanced into Paukkhaung Township, and heavy fighting continues in areas between the Bago Yoma and the Ayeyarwady River in western Bago Region.With troops now repositioned at key bases and air power still at the regime’s disposal, residents and resistance groups say the lull may prove temporary. Thousands remain displaced across the Bago Yoma foothills, bracing for further clashes as the military appears intent on tightening its grip over key routes linking eastern and western Bago Region.

Myanmar military advances across Bago Yoma corridor, burns villages

More than 100 homes destroyed in Nattalin; fresh push into Paukkhaung raises fears of wider campaign to sever resistance routes

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