CNI News

June 6, 2026

Rumors have emerged among local residents of Kutkai that Kutkai, a town in northern Shan State currently seized by the Kokang army (MNDAA) from the Ta'ang army (TNLA), will be handed back to the government.

Sai Tun Lin, a Pyithu Hluttaw MP for Mone from the Shan and Nationalities Democratic Party (White Tiger Party), told CNI News that rumors surfaced last month regarding government departmental staff entering Kutkai Township. He added there are also reports that schools will open and the town will be returned to the government.

He stated, "When I asked local residents about the news from Kutkai, they told me that state employees would soon be entering Kutkai town. I also heard news that some local school teachers have already arrived. Furthermore, they said schools would be opened. They told me that opening these schools is the first step by them (MNDAA) toward handing Kutkai back to the state government."

Kutkai, a town in northern Shan State, was initially attacked and captured from the Myanmar military by the TNLA during Operation 1027. However, the Kokang army (MNDAA) launched an offensive in March 2026 and recaptured it from the TNLA.

A view of Kutkai Town (The Kokang)

It is learnt that during the TNLA's control, efforts were made to include the teaching of the Ta'ang literature in schools, whereas under current MNDAA control, Chinese language teaching is being implemented.

A northern Shan State resident told CNI News that despite reports of government departmental staff re-entering Kutkai Township, the situation remains stable at present.

The resident stated, "Those matters seem to be confidential negotiations among themselves. At first, rumors came out. Schools opened, and then non-CDM employees went there by car. Later on, what happened was that they claimed to be managing it themselves. They said the schools opening were done on their own terms. Chinese is spoken, and even at ceremonies, the entire agendas and programs are conducted in Chinese, with Chinese translations. After hearing that teams from the government would re-manage it entered the area, nothing more has been heard since."

MNDAA troops

The MNDAA has also replaced town welcome signs in Kutkai that were written in Ta'ang script with Chinese script, closed down Ta'ang schools, and is preparing to replace them with their own education system.

Currently, the MNDAA has formed the Myanmar Education Committee and has reportedly opened over 100 Burmese schools across the 4 districts and 8 townships under its control.

It is also reported that General Ko Ko Oo, Chief of the General Staff (Army, Navy, Air), met and held discussions with the TNLA—one of the three members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance—in Kunming, China, from May 12 to 13, 2026.

Similarly, rumors are circulating that consecutive discussions will soon be held with the MNDAA as well as the KIA.