CNI News
11 August 2025
There are considerations among military and political analysts whether military situation could be more widespread from the battles breaking out between the Myanmar Tatmadaw and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in and around Bhamo City.
After the Myanmar Tatmadaw's warships went up to Bhamo from Mandalay on August 1, 2025, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has been waging offensives to some military camps that had been captured by the KIA, and battles are severely taking place between the two sides.
Moreover, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is waging offensives to Minhla Ward near the 21 Military Operations Command, and No. 366 Artillery Battalion that has been captured by the KIA on August 4, 2025.
According to the situation of ground battles, the Myanmar Tatmadaw possibly would expand its military activities not only in Bhamo but also in the neighboring towns, the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News.
While seeing Bhamo City that has been damaged by the war
" The Myanmar Tatmadaw seems to expand its military activities not only in Bhamo until neighboring areas. I must say the Myanmar Tatmadaw has an upper hand in the Bhamo region military situation. Since a few days ago, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has been conducting a clearance operation surrounding area of the university in Bhamo, aNnd Minhla Ward near the No. 21 Military Operations Command and Min Kyaung Gon Ward near the prison. So, we can say that the Myanmar Tatmadaw has had an upper hand there." he said.
Bhamo is one of the nearest towns to Laiza where the headquarters of the KIA is based and the No-21 Military Operations Command of the Myanmar Tatmadaw is based in Bhamo as well.
Moreover, it is located on the bank of Ayeyarwady River and about 40 miles away from the Chinese border. People can go to China from Bhamo through Nam Kham and Muse in northern Shan State.
Currently, because of the Myanmar Tatmadaw's offensive en masse to Bhamo, the KIA is facing a difficult situation to re-launch an offensive, pointed out military and political analysts.
The KIA possibly would give Bhamaw to the Myanmar Tatmadaw because battles in and around Bhamo have been months long, Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, China-Myanmar affairs analyst told CNI News.
While seeing Bhamo City that is a strategic position
" It seems that the KIA might give Bhamo back to the Myanmar Tatmadaw because the entire city of Bhamo is already in ruins. The Myanmar Tatmadaw fire heavy weapons and dropped bombs on Bhamo. So I think the Tatmadaw wants to propaganize that they have regained control of Bhamo. The KIA possibly will retreat from Bhamo." she said.
Since October 2023, the KIA was able to successfully attack and capture the Myanmar Tatmadaw bases in Kachin State and northern Shan State and captured Sok Law, Chipwe, Somprabum, Injang Yang, Sadon, Dok Phong Yang, Loije, Sin Bo, Myo Hla, Momauk, Mansi, and Mabein in northern Shan State.
Currently, the National Defense and Security Council has declared a state of emergency and initiated martial law in a total of 63 townships in Kachin, Kayah, Sagaing, Rakhine, and Shan states, as well as other regions.
Fighting is ongoing in these townships between TNLA, AA, KNU, KIA, CNF, PDF, and the Myanmar Tatmadaw. Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is conducting offensives against TNLA-controlled Mogok, Kyaukme, and Hsipaw, as well as exchanging offensives with the KIA in Bhamo.
Similarly, the Myanmar military has been engaged in a long-running conflict with the AA in Kyaukphyu, Rakhine State.