CNI News
4 October 2025
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has become weak militarily due to declining alliances, according to Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), who spoke to CNI News.
He said that because the TNLA is essentially a locally-based organization, it is facing difficulties in regaining manpower, weapons, and popular support at a time when it is confronted with opposition from its former strongest allies as well as from local communities.
On the other hand, since the Myanmar Tatmadaw is a state institution, it is able to replenish its manpower and arms in the long term, which allows it to exert increasing pressure and regain advantages in various areas, Khun Okkar explained.
Colonel Khun Okkar
“In short, they have fewer strong allies now. In the long run, the state institution (the Myanmar Tatmadaw) can quickly replenish and reinforce, applying greater pressure and gaining more opportunities. But for groups like the TNLA, which are more localized, it’s much harder to replenish manpower and arms. At this point, when TNLA is struggling to regain popular support, it faces opposition both from local people and local allied organizations. In civilian terms, you could say they’re short on friends. That means TNLA needs to rethink its situation,” he said.
The TNLA, along with the Kokang MNDAA, the Arakan Army (AA), KNDF, BNRA, BPLA, MDY-PDF, DPLA, PLA and other armed groups, launched the “Operation 1027” in northern Shan State and Mandalay Region on October 27, 2023.
During that offensive, the TNLA seized control of towns in northern Shan State such as Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Monekoe, Namtu, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Nawngcho, Momeik, Monglon, Kutkai, as well as Mogok in Mandalay Region.
However, by expelling other armed groups such as the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), and local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) from the seized territories, the TNLA disrupted its military and political relations.
Myanmar Tatmadaw retaking Kyaukme
Similarly, disputes also broke out between TNLA and its Operation 1027 partner, the Kokang MNDAA, regarding administrative control of Kutkai Township.
Subsequently, on August 20, 2025, the United Wa State Army (UWSA)—the group most capable of supplying TNLA with arms and ammunition—announced after a meeting in Pangsang with leaders of TNLA, MNDAA, and SSPP that it would no longer provide weapons, funds, or any other assistance to any armed organization.
Amid these developments, the Myanmar Tatmadaw launched counter offensives into TNLA-held territories, recapturing Nawngcho in July 2025 and Kyaukme on October 1, 2025.
Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw’s offensive to retake Mogok has already reached the outskirts of the town, and operations to retake Hsipaw are also underway.
