CNI News
10 September 2025
Various comments have arisen among military and political analysts over how important the Indawgyi region in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, is for the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Shanni people.
Although the Indawgyi area is largely populated by Shanni people, it was previously under the control of the KIA. However, after the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) began its operations inside Kachin State, it broke into Indawgyi in July 2025 and clashes with the KIA occurred.
Afterwards, the SNA was able to control Indawgyi, Nanmun, and Mamongkaing villages. KIA–PDF forces have occasionally launched assaults in attempts to retake control of these areas.
According to Sai Htay Aung, chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), Indawgyi is an ethnically significant region for the Shanni people and commercially vital for the KIA, with KIA battalions encircling the area.
Indawgyi region
“Indawgyi region is important in terms of ethnicity. For our Shanni people, it can be called an ancestral homeland. Economically and militarily, it is also important—it is a trade route linking to Hpakant. Now, since the KIA controls Hpakant, the main supply of fuel to Hpakant flows through this route. Large machinery and fuel used for jade mining also pass through the Indawgyi and Wekha roads, as well as from the Sezin side. KIA Battalion 26 is stationed in Indawgyi. On the other side, Battalion 44 is there too. Around Indawgyi, KIA battalions are encircling. To the south near Maihtawng, Battalion 35 is there, and also Battalion 6 on the Hpakant road side. Many battalions surround Indawgyi. For them, it is extremely important. For our Shanni people as well, Indawgyi is our homeland. This place becomes militarily important because of its economic value.”, he said.
On August 16, the Arakan Army (AA), together with the KIA, attacked the SNA in Indawgyi, where Shanni populations reside, to regain control. According to locals, the next day, August 17, KIA troops withdrew.
U Thein Tun Oo, executive director of the Thayninga Institute for Strategic Studies, explained that the KIA’s actions are part of territorial expansion to strengthen itself, and the significance of any territory depends on how it is used.
Kachin Independence Army (KIA)
“There can be many reasons. If we explain from history, it would be very long. The main point is simple: they want to expand territory. With greater territorial control, they become stronger. But behind this, there are also other reasons and motives. The main thing is—holding more land gives them advantages. From the KIA’s perspective, they will calculate how beneficial controlling the area would be. Whether a territory is important or not depends on how it can be utilized. That’s why importance differs depending on perspective.”, he said.
During the time when the KIA controlled Indawgyi, it was reported by locals that the KIA often raided Shanni households, recruited soldiers, and collected money. At Mamongkaing village, they granted businesspeople permission to mine gold at school grounds and a football field.
Currently, it is also reported that in Indawgyi, the KIA prohibits Shanni residents from speaking Shan language over the phone, forcing them to speak only Burmese.
