CNI News
11 February 2026
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) will carry out the “Ka-Thone-Lone” (Kanbalu–Kawlin–Katha) military operation in Sagaing Region and, after securing control, will take control of the entire northern and lower parts of the region, said KIA Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lt-Gen Gun Maw.
He made the remarks during an online speech at the 65th Kachin Revolution Day ceremony held in Texas, United States, on February 5, 2026.
Currently, efforts are underway to stably control the entire northern area, including Kachin units, Chin units, Naga units, and the “Ka-Thone-Lone” areas—Kanbalu, Kawlin, and Katha—in upper Sagaing Region. Lt-Gen Gun Maw said that once the upper region is secured, the lower region can be controlled easily.
He stated: “We are placing special emphasis on Chin State. This is because we are working to stabilize our Kachin units, Naga units, Chin units, and the Ka-Thone-Lone areas in upper Sagaing Region. We believe this is achievable. Once the entire upper northern region becomes stable, we will be able to control the lower region easily. That is our military objective. We believe the resources of Chin State can contribute to nationwide success. Therefore, we are striving vigorously for the liberation of Kachin State and the whole of Chin State.”
A view of Sagaing Region
On February 1, 2021, the Myanmar military ousted the NLD government, alleging that it had attempted to form a government without resolving voter list disputes from the 2020 general election. This led to nationwide protests and armed resistance.
KIA leaders previously met with a Chinese representative, and China reportedly pressured them to avoid fighting. However, KIA said that clashes would be unavoidable and that they would cooperate with pro-democracy forces. Lt-Gen Gun Maw stated that Sagaing Region is the “gate to our compound,” and for Kachin security, they must control Sagaing Region.
He said: “The Chinese government told us not to launch offensives. We cannot avoid it. We must fight together with democratic forces. Especially in Sagaing Region, which is the gateway to our compound, we must guard against the enemy. We must ensure the security of the gateway to Kachin State through the forces present in Sagaing Region. We said this on February 2.”
Currently, KIA is supplying weapons and ammunition to the Arakan Army (AA), the Chin National Front (CNF), Naga armed groups, People’s Defense Forces (PDF), and PDFs operating in Sagaing Region. They are conducting the Ka-Thone-Lone operation and other offensives to gain control of Sagaing Region.
KIA leader Lt-Gen Gun Maw and a view of Sagaing Region
After KIA-PDF forces gained control of Shwe Pyi Aye, Pinlebu, and Indaw towns in Sagaing Region, they are now attacking to capture and control towns such as Homalin, Kawlin, Katha, Wuntho, Tamu, Naga areas, Pale, Monywa, Hpaungbyin, Yinmabin, Shwebo, Kale, Htigyaing, and Banmauk.
KIA is attempting to connect Kachin State with Sagaing Region, Chin State, and Rakhine State to establish control across Myanmar’s northwestern region. It is also exerting military pressure to control Magway Region and Mandalay Region (lower region).
If KIA succeeds in controlling the entire northwestern region of Myanmar, it would gain access from a landlocked area to a seaport, enabling diplomatic relations with Western countries and Europe.
Subsequently, KIA could potentially implement military, political, economic, and even secession-related plans.
Lt-Gen Gun Maw also recalled that during a 2018–2019 meeting with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi in Yangon, he had stated that they could not promise not to secede. He reiterated this during the Kachin Revolution Day ceremony held on February 5, 2026.
