CNI News
30 September 2025
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) may fully withdraw from Bhamo in the near future after capturing Banmauk town in the northern part of Sagaing Region, said Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), to CNI News.
The joint forces led by the KIA launched an attack on Banmauk on September 15, 2025, at a time when they were under intense pressure from the Myanmar Tatmadaw in Bhamo. They successfully captured Banmauk on September 20.
Although Banmauk is included as one of the constituencies where elections could be held, it is not listed among the 102 townships for the first round of elections scheduled for December 28, 2025.
KIA Chairman Gen. N’Ban La
According to Sai Htay Aung, the KIA attacked and seized Banmauk as a way of regaining military prestige that had been lost in Bhamo, but they may soon fully withdraw from Bhamo.
“Now that Banmauk is in their hands, it is not included in the 102 constituencies for the first phase of elections. But in the next round, it might be included. Within a certain timeframe, the military and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) are likely to recapture Banmauk. If democracy is to be achieved, elections must be held. In my view, KIA attacked Banmauk to regain lost military prestige in Bhamo. So, I believe the KIA will abandon Bhamo soon. The KIA captured Banmauk and achieved military victory, which they can use for political prestige. But on the other hand, I believe they will soon fully withdraw from Bhamo. Soon after the end of this month, the KIA will likely have pulled out completely.” he said.
Currently, after the joint KIA, PDF, and Kadu forces captured Banmauk, the Myanmar Tatmadaw launched airstrikes on September 21.
In Banmauk, the majority population is Tai Leng (Shanni), followed by the Kadu ethnic group.
Homalin Town
Observers point out that capturing Bhamauk enables KIA to secure supply routes for troops, weapons, and logistics into the northern part of Sagaing Region.
At present, the SNA controls the western part of Banmauk and is preparing for further battles, as well as working to recapture the town.
Analysts say the loss of Banmauk by the Shanni was due to insufficient manpower and lack of reinforcements.
Sai Htay Aung added that the loss of Banmauk had tarnished SNA’s political prestige, so they will try hard to regain it:
“Since the SNA is allied with the military, they must fight to recapture Banmauk in order to restore their political dignity. Why? Because losing a major town in the Shanni area damages their reputation. People could question why they could not protect their homeland. That’s why I believe the SNA will strive to take back Banmauk.”, he said.
It is also possible that the KIA may extend offensives towards Homalin and Katha. How long the KIA can hold Banmauk remains uncertain. Analysts suggest that the KIA’s attacks on Shanni areas may also be aimed at weakening SNA’s forces and influence.
Currently, the KIA-PDF joint forces are also pressing to capture Homalin. As a result, intense clashes between KIA-PDF and SNA are ongoing in 10 villages around Homalin.
