CNI News
17 July 2025
Town-seizing battles by ethnic armed groups and democratic armed groups lasted a few days only, now the battles have lasted until years, so the capability of these groups has declined, said U Than Soe Naing, a political commentator.
He said the above in an exclusive interview with Burma News Network.
“In the past, our revolutionary groups were able to capture a camp in a week or 10 days. Now it takes months. Now that we possibly have to take years, it is very clear how slow our offensive speed has become. Now, it takes about 6 months to capture an important military base. That's not certain either. It hasn't been certain to be able to capture Kyaukphyu and Sittwe as well as Bhamo and Myitkyina. Meanwhile, Chin armed groups are also fighting each other due to differences of opinion among themselves. Apart from the Karen group's movement, the revolutionary struggle of ethnic groups across the country also seems to be stagnant. The situation of armed groups in the plains gets worse." said U Than Soe Naing.
Ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy forces have claimed to have captured more than 90 cities in Myanmar, but the Myanmar Tatmadaw is waging counter offensives now and gradually retaking them. The Myanmar Tatmadaw has captured Mobye Township in Kayah State and Naungcho Township in northern Shan State this month.
When the Tatmadaw has captured Mobye Town
Then, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is trying to capture Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Theinni in northern Shan State, and is also trying to retake Thabeikkyin Township in Mandalay Region.
Amidst these situations, opposition individuals lash out at and demand the NUG, the PDF and the People's Administrative Groups to reform.
The Arakan Army (AA) has also failed to seize Kyaukphyu and Sittwe in Rakhine State. Similarly, the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has also been unsuccessful in its offensives to capture Bhamo in Kachin State as well as Homalin and Banmauk in Sagaing Region.
On the other hand, the SAC is preparing to hold elections in 267 townships.
While seeing the SAC Chairman and political parties
U Than Soe Naing said, “If we can't launch a general offensive that can capture Naypyidaw before this election, there is a possibility that the military council will achieve the legitimacy after collaborating with international reactionary elements."
The SAC will hold elections in phases in December 2025 and January 2026, and state power would be handed over to the party that wins the election, said the SAC Chairman Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
