CNI News
3 October 2025
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) stated that the People’s Defense Forces (PDFs), not the KIA, led the battle to capture Banmauk. Military and political analysts told CNI News this may have been said to ensure ongoing talks with the Myanmar Tatmadaw would not be disrupted.
According to KIA, the battle for Banmauk town in upper Sagaing Region was commanded by the National Unity Government (NUG)’s Military Region 1.
Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), told CNI News:
“This is diplomacy. The KIO is saying in a diplomatic way that they have not gone beyond their designated Kachin State boundaries to expand or intrude. Therefore, if there are battles outside their area—like in Banmauk, which is already in Sagaing Region—they say the locals are leading, while the Kachin side is only assisting. It’s diplomatic wording. On the ground, who actually leads may or may not match that statement. I see it as diplomatic speech. Both sides have already agreed to meet. The KIO even proposed meeting in Myitkyina, but due to the security situation and the presence of many armed groups there, safety cannot be guaranteed. The Nay Pyi Taw side proposed meeting in Mongla or Kengtung, but the KIO has not agreed yet. Because of this location issue, no meeting has taken place so far. Meanwhile, if battles continue, one side can blame the other. So, saying the PDFs are leading helps maintain the planned talks.”
Banmauk town being captured by KIA-PDF forces
The joint resistance forces—KIA, various PDF battalions, the Kadu Defense Force, and the Banmauk PDF—launched their offensive on September 15. On September 20, they managed to seize the town, and on September 22, NUG’s Ministry of Defense announced that the capture had been carried out under the command of Military Region 1.
Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), told CNI News:
“It doesn’t look good if the KIA is seen as leading the Banmauk capture. Banmauk is inside Sagaing Region, not Kachin State. Politically, the KIA is showing restraint. They may have led the fighting, but they let the NUG take the front position. That shows political subtlety. They fought together, seized the town, but didn’t claim credit. Instead, the NUG did. The sensitive part is that Banmauk is home mainly to Shanni and Kadu ethnic groups. When such ethnic issues come up, the KIA seems to have shifted responsibility to the NUG.”
NUG and the Chin Brotherhood forces
Banmauk is a town where the Shanni make up about 68% of the population and the Kadu about 14%. Analysts suggest that due to such ethnic complexities, the KIA chose not to claim the capture.
In July and August 2025, various Spring Revolution forces—including the Chin Brotherhood (CB), Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), Yaw Army, Myingyan PDF, NUG ministers, and Naga armed groups—met with the KIA leadership. Following those meetings, coordinated town capture operations such as Banmauk have been launched.
Currently, resistance forces control several towns in Sagaing Region, including Khanpat, Myothit, Shwepyiaye, Pinlebu, Mawlu, Inndaw, and Banmauk.
Although Banmauk Township is a constituency scheduled for elections, it is not among the 102 townships included in the first phase of the December 28 elections.
