CNI News
June 12, 2026
The Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) issued a statement on June 11, 2026, demanding the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) halt its objective to attack Shwegu Town.
The TNDP statement strongly objected to and condemned an announcement dated June 8 by the KIA’s Battalion 12. The KIA’s announcement stated that the main entrance road to Shwegu and the entire Nga Oh-Shwegu highway would be closed indefinitely starting June 8, 2026, and urged all residents inside Shwegu to evacuate and flee the town.
The TNDP statement noted: "We urge the KIA to halt its objective to attack Shwegu Town and to completely cease launching aggressive battles in other regions as well. We hereby issue this position statement to warn that if the KIA’s aggression leads to ethnic conflict, the KIO/KIA will bear sole responsibility."
The TNDP further stated that the town-capture battles led by the KIA in Sagaing Region—covering Kawlin, Pinlebu, Htigyaing, Indaw, Banmauk, and Katha towns—as well as in Kachin State—covering Mansi, Momauk, and Bhamo towns—have resulted in the loss of civilian lives and property, leaving people homeless.
Consequently, civilians forced to flee these towns due to the KIA's town-capture operations face forced recruitment by the KIA-PDF along their journey, and are struggling severely to survive in unfamiliar territories. The TNDP statement added that the KIA’s town-capture battles are akin to pushing the civilian population into a sea of suffering.
Meanwhile, KIA leader Lieutenant General Gun Maw has previously stated that they must fight the enemy from positions within the Sagaing Region to secure the gateway to their home in Kachin State. He noted that through the "Three Ks" (Kanbalu, Kawlin, Katha) operation in Sagaing, they are striving for the liberation of northwestern Myanmar.
Military and political analysts have pointed out that the towns targeted by the KIA for its town-capture operations are predominantly inhabited by the Shanni ethnic group, whereas the KIA has not executed town-capture operations in towns inhabited by ethnic Kachin people.
