CNI News
10 February 2026
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has stated that it must stand guard against the enemy in Sagaing Region, which it considers the “front gate” of its home territory.
Lieutenant General Gun Maw, a senior leader of the KIA, said that this position was conveyed by their side during a meeting with Chinese government officials on February 2. He made the remarks in an online speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Kachin Revolution, held in Texas, United States.
Lieutenant General Gun Maw also serves as Vice Chairman (1) of the Kachin Independence Council (KIC), the administrative body of the KIA.
He said: “The Chinese government told us not to engage in fighting. We cannot avoid it. We must carry out military operations together with the democratic forces. Especially in Sagaing Region, which is the front gate of our home compound, we must stand guard against the enemy. We told them on February 2 that ensuring security in Sagaing Region together with local forces, and securing the gateway to Kachin State, is something we must definitely do.”
A view of Sagaing Region
He also said that they have asked Naypyidaw whether the National Unity Government (NUG) and the Myanmar military (Tatmadaw) would hold talks, and that the KIA/KIO would not engage in talks as a single individual or single organization.
After the Myanmar military overthrew the NLD government and seized state power on February 1, 2021, the KIA has provided military and political support—including weapons and ammunition—to the NUG and People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) in efforts to overthrow the Myanmar military.
At present, the KIA is supplying weapons and ammunition to PDFs, LPDFs, and other ethnic armed organizations within Sagaing Region and is conducting battles to seize towns.
KIA–PDF joint forces
By providing weapons and assistance to local armed groups and other EAOs, the KIA currently controls Indaw Town, Pinlebu Town, and Shwe Pyi Aye Town in Sagaing Region.
Similarly, fighting is ongoing to gain control over Kawlin, Htigyaing, Wuntho, Pale, Yinmarbin, Tagaung, Homalin, Hpaungbyin, Tamu, Kalay, the Naga area, Monywa, Chaung-U, and Shwebo within Sagaing Region.
If the KIA succeeds in controlling Sagaing Region, it will be preparing to apply further military pressure on Mandalay Region and Magway Region. At the same time, it is working to link Rakhine State, Chin State, Sagaing Region, and Kachin State in an effort to achieve liberation across the entire northwestern region.
