Military authorities in Myanmar assert control over a nearby settlement close to their military academy.
In the ongoing civil war in Myanmar, a significant event occurred in July 2025 when the military, also known as the junta, regained control of the town of Nawnghkio. Located approximately 40km from Pyin Oo Lwin, Nawnghkio holds strategic importance as it lies on the main Mandalay-Lashio-Muse trade route, connecting Myanmar and China, and links central Myanmar with northern Shan State and the garrison town Pyin Oo Lwin.
The capture of Nawnghkio by the opposition in 2021 was a major victory for the ethnic fighters and pro-democracy forces. The town was seized by opposition fighters in a coordinated offensive, with the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the People's Defence Forces (PDF) playing key roles. The TNLA is part of a larger coalition known as the Brotherhood Alliance, which also includes the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) from northern Shan State and the Arakan Army (AA) from Rakhine State.
The retaking of Nawnghkio by the military is disputed, as it was initially seized by the opposition. The military claimed to have ousted armed rebels from the town after a year-long battle, involving more than 500 armed engagements and about 11 months of military operations. The intense battles caused significant destruction from airstrikes before ground troops entered the town.
The Brotherhood Alliance, along with the PDF, launched a combined offensive in October 2023 called Operation 1027, capturing much of northern Shan State, including Nawnghkio and Lashio. However, after nearly a year of conflict, the Myanmar junta managed to recapture Nawnghkio on July 15, 2025.
The ongoing civil war in Myanmar continues to be marked by significant battles and shifting control of territories. The military acknowledges that reclaiming the entire northern Shan region from the ethnic armed alliance will require a larger counteroffensive.
Here's a summary of the current status of the key ethnic armed groups involved in the conflict:
- Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA): Lost control of Nawnghkio town after months of fighting; continues to hold other areas in northern Shan State. - Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA): Allied in the offensive with TNLA and AA against the Myanmar military. - Arakan Army (AA): Involved in northern Shan conflicts, allied with TNLA and MNDAA. - People’s Defense Force (PDF): Supported the alliance’s offensive and remains active in clashes.
The recapture of Nawnghkio marks a rare success for the Myanmar military after a period of territorial losses, but the battle for the region continues. The coup that took place in Myanmar in 2021 has led to a civil war between the military and various pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic armed groups, with no end in sight.
Top stories: The Myanmar military, also known as the junta, managed to recapture the strategic town of Nawnghkio on July 15, 2025, after nearly a year of conflict, marking a rare success following a period of territorial losses. War-and-conflicts: The ongoing civil war in Myanmar continues to be marked by significant battles and shifting control of territories, with numerous ethnic armed groups, such as the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Arakan Army (AA), and People’s Defense Force (PDF), involved in clashes. Politics and general-news: The coup that took place in Myanmar in 2021 has led to a civil war between the military and various pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic armed groups, with no end in sight.
