Resistance forces pushed back as Myanmar military advances south of Indaw

Myanmar’s military has advanced south of Indaw after recapturing the strategically important Sagaing Region town earlier this year, forcing resistance forces to abandon several villages and lose weapons and ammunition, according to resistance military sources, local residents and military statements. The offensive began June 27 with about 500 troops supported by aircraft, drones, and heavy artillery, resistance sources said. The military had retaken Indaw, previously controlled by forces aligned with the National Unity Government (NUG), in April. On July 4, military forces recaptured the villages of Meza and Nant Thea, about 10 miles south of Indaw, according to the military. Resistance sources said the advance forced anti-junta fighters to leave behind drones, vehicles, firearms, ammunition and a .50-calibre heavy machine gun used as an anti-aircraft weapon. Fighting remained intense around Nant Thea through Saturday, according to a local resistance military source, who said resistance forces suffered casualties and equipment losses but declined to provide further details. “They have Y-12 aircraft circling overhead and are also using drones a lot,” the source said. “Our artillery unit advanced into the middle of the military column, and our fighters paid the price.” The military said in a statement that it had secured a string of villages between June 27 and July 4, including Natmahokekalay, Se Ywar, Lelnaung, Natmahokegyi, Thanbo, Meza, and Nant Thea. It also claimed to have recovered the bodies of seven People’s Defence Force fighters, 12 weapons including a heavy machine gun, two vehicles, drones, explosives, and ammunition. A heavy machine gun used as an anti-aircraft weapon captured by junta troops south of Indaw on July 4 (Photo: CINCDS) Myanmar Now requested comment from Nay Phone Latt, the spokesperson for the NUG’s Prime Minister's Office, but has not yet received a response. According to resistance sources, military forces are now stationed in Meza, Nant Thea, Ahlelseik, Lelnaung, and Thanbo, and the offensive has temporarily paused. Military reinforcements of roughly 300 troops from the towns of Kawlin and Wuntho were moving toward the area, a resistance source said. The fighting has displaced thousands of civilians from at least nine villages along the Shwebo-Myitkyina highway, according to local residents. Many have fled to nearby villages, while additional communities have begun evacuating as fighting approaches. Civilian casualties have also been reported. Local residents said seven people were wounded in a drone strike on the village of Pin Tha Che on July 3, while three residents of Lay Zin, another village in the area, were injured in a land mine explosion two days later. The Shwebo-Myitkyina road links Sagaing Region with Kachin State and is considered a strategically important transport corridor. Indaw lies about 11 miles from Katha, where fighting has continued, and roughly 17 miles from Maw Luu (Mawlu), another town retaken by the military this year. Myanmar’s military has stepped up operations across northern Sagaing since the beginning of the year, using regular troops and newly conscripted personnel to reclaim territory previously captured by resistance forces aligned with the NUG. Resistance forces seized a number of towns across Sagaing and neighbouring Mandalay region during offensives beginning in 2024. Since early 2026, however, the military has gradually retaken most of those gains. According to resistance accounts, only Pinlebu and Shwe Pyi Aye remain under NUG control.

Resistance forces pushed back as Myanmar military advances south of Indaw

Thousands of civilians have been displaced since the regime started intensifying its efforts to retake the area late last month

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