CNI News

1 February 2025

She didn't encourage that the National Unity Government would capture towns and cities, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs commentator, told CNI News. 

Proclaiming that the NUG would take Mandalay from the Myanmar Tatmadaw was not just talk, but would put it into practice, said Nay Phone Latt, spokesperson of the NUG PM Office at the campaigne of 'The wave that will go home, Ayeyarwady Region'. 

As the NUG, Mandalay should be surrounded and only after the surrounding area was systematically captured, should it gradually advance, said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.

While seeing the NUG's PM Mahn Win Khine Than and PDF comrades

" The Myanmar Tatmadaw lost control of Mandalay in 1950-51. At that time, the Burma Communist Party and the Pyithu Yebaw joint forces attacked the city. Now, if the NUG and its allies systematically attacked Mandalay at the speed of Operation 1027, they would be able to capture it. I don't want to encourage captures of towns and cities. But the NUG has to do what donors like, I think. Donors will be pleased only if the NUG and its allies can capture cities, I think. But since we are making a revolution to replace one system with another, a big target shouldn't have been laid down. After surrounding Mandalay and systematically securing the surrounding area, it would be better to advance gradually, I think. Look at Bhamo for example. Just circle around it and then slowly advance. It would be better to do so, I think." said Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw.

The NUG was making preparations to capture Mandalay without damaging it and the NUG had prepared for Pyin Oo Lwin as well, said the NUG's Minister for Health and Education Dr. Zaw Wai Soe in September 2024.

Once an organization was formed, it was often a matter of giving motivational speeches, but it was difficult to put them into practice on the ground; proclaiming that the NUG would capture Mandalay was impossible in practice, director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategy Studies, U Thein Tun Oo told CNI News.

While seeing the NUG's Defense Minister U Yi Mon and PDF comrades

" They said a lot about what they would achieve in which years. Compare those things with the actual situation to see if they actually happen. It's always obvious. Once a group has formed, it is common to say things like this to motivate its supporters. It's very difficult to become true as they say. This time, there is no reason  to put it into practice." said U Thein Tun Oo.

Although the NUG has over 300 battalions and over 200 defense units, they still are unable to fight effectively. 

So, There has been no organization that meets the demands of the actual struggle inside the military elements led by the NUG, pointed out military and political analysts. 

At present, EAOs and the NUG have seized control of 144 townships, released the NUG's Ministry of Defense on 4th January 2025.