CNI News

15 October 2025

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has committed itself in speech, making it increasingly difficult to coordinate with the Myanmar military (Myanmar Tatmadaw), according to Colonel Khun Okkar, Chairman of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S), who spoke to CNI News.

He explained that the TNLA is now in a position where retreating is difficult, while the Myanmar military seems determined to fight until the issue is resolved militarily. However, if TNLA were to pull back to its original Palaung self-administered zone, the situation might ease.

“For the Ta’ang (TNLA), it’s already too difficult to withdraw. The Tatmadaw (Myanmar military) also seems to want to solve things only through fighting. If the Ta’ang troops move back into their original Palaung self-administered area, it will be easier for them. Otherwise, they’ll be attacked. Coordination has become difficult. The words have run out.

Leaders of the Three Northern Alliances

The Kokang (MNDAA) had already made arrangements before — they’ve reached a ceasefire. They can still go to Lashio when needed and meet for discussions. So for the Kokang, I think they’ll coordinate more easily. If China gets involved, China will make sure the guarantees are strong. If both the Tatmadaw and China give guarantees, then they’ll reconsider. But the Palaung (TNLA) are in a tougher situation. They can’t be the same as the Kokang.”, said Colonel Khun Okkar.

On October 27, 2023, the TNLA, together with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Arakan Army (AA), KNDF, BNRA, BPLA, MDY-PDF, DPLA, PLA, and other resistance groups, launched Operation 1027 across northern Shan State and parts of Mandalay Region.

During the operation, TNLA captured several towns in northern Shan State — Namkham, Nansang, Mantong, Mongngawt, Namtu, Kyaukme, Hsipaw, Naungcho, Momeik, Monglon, Kutkai — as well as Mogok in Mandalay Region.

Later, in February 2025 (Feb 16–17), delegations led by TNLA Lt-Gen Tar Jock Jar and Tatmadaw's Lt-Gen Ko Ko Oo held peace talks in Kunming, China, but the discussions were unsuccessful.

TNLA and two Tatmadaw delegates seen during their meeting

Follow-up meetings took place on April 28–29, 2025, and again in late August 2025, but none of these negotiations produced an agreement.

Meanwhile, under Chinese mediation, MNDAA and the Myanmar military signed a ceasefire agreement, after which Lashio was handed back to government control.

According to Colonel Khun Okkar, because MNDAA is ethnically and linguistically close to China, it is easier for them to communicate, and thus they are unlikely to face renewed fighting — unlike TNLA, which has not agreed to a ceasefire and is therefore more likely to see continued clashes.

“Kokang is Chinese — their territory, people, and language are all Chinese. So it’s easy for them to talk to China. Historically, the Kokang area only became part of Myanmar under British rule; it used to belong to China. That’s why the Kokang and China have a father-and-son relationship — communication is smooth, and fighting isn’t necessary anymore. Their ceasefire is solid. But the Palaung haven’t agreed to a ceasefire yet, so more clashes are likely.”, he said.

Currently, the Myanmar military has recaptured Kyaukme and Naungcho, both of which were under TNLA control along the China–Myanmar trade route, in July and October 2025, respectively. The military continues offensives toward Hsipaw, and similar operations are being carried out to retake Mogok as well.