TNLA denies reports of pressure to withdraw from captured towns

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has denied reports that it is under pressure to withdraw from four towns that it currently controls in northern Shan State. Lway Yay Oo, a spokesperson for the group, said the subject of pulling out of Monglon, Mongngawt, Namtu, and Namkham was not raised during talks that took place between TNLA leaders and junta representatives in Kunming, China, last month. “There has been no discussion among us about the regime asking for these towns back. There has been no pressure,” Lway Yay Oo told Myanmar Now. The denial comes after some media outlets reported recently that the junta delegation, led by Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo, had demanded the return of the towns during the talks in Kunming, held May 12-13. The towns are among the few that the TNLA still holds after the junta retook Kyaukme and Hsipaw late last year, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, an ally of the TNLA, seized control of Kutkai earlier this year. Each of the towns is strategically located on main transport arteries in the region. Monglon is located about 55 miles northwest of Kyaukme on the road to the ruby-mining centre of Mogok, connecting northern Shan State and central Myanmar. Mongngawt is located about 30 miles north of Kyaukme, while Namtu is around 65 miles to the northeast. Namkham is near the border with China, about 20 miles southwest of the junta-controlled town of Muse. According to local residents, the situation along the road from Kyaukme to Monglon has been tense since the beginning of this month, as the regime has stepped up inspections of vehicles travelling the route. “At first they wouldn’t even let local vendors pass. Now they can go through again, but people coming from other areas still have to be checked,” a Kyaukme resident told Myanmar late last week. Another resident said that there is growing concern of renewed clashes in the area amid reports that the junta and the TNLA are both increasing their military presence along the road. “There have been a lot of rumours, so we’re afraid, wondering if fighting will resume like before,” he said. However, TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo dismissed the rumours as inaccurate. “Currently, no military activities are seen in the Monglon area,” he said. During Operation 1027, an anti-junta offensive that began in late 2023, the TNLA captured nearly a dozen towns in northern Shan State, as well as Mogok in Mandalay Region. However, the regime reclaimed control of Mogok and Mongmit (Momeik) after talks mediated by China, while other towns such as Kyaukme, Hsipaw and Nawnghkio have been retaken through military action. Currently, the TNLA continues to hold six towns: Namkham, Namtu, Monglon, Mongngawt, Namhsan, and Mantong.

TNLA denies reports of pressure to withdraw from captured towns

The group says the junta did not demand the return of Monglon, Mongngawt, Namtu, and Namkham during talks last month

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