CNI News

June 26, 2026

It is reported that the Shan Ni Nationalities Army (SNA) has captured 19 camps belonging to the joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF) near Shwe Pyi Aye town in upper Sagaing Region.

According to a statement released by the SNA, they launched an offensive against the KIA-PDF camps located within the Gway Tauk Kone village tract area on the western bank of Shwe Pyi Aye town starting on June 4, 2026, and successfully captured 19 camps by June 25.

However, Shwe Pyi Aye town itself remains under the control of the joint KIA-PDF forces.

Shwe Pyi Aye town is situated at a strategically important location for blocking and intercepting goods transported via waterways from Monywa in Sagaing Region to Homalin, Khamti, and the Naga region. From this town, the KIA-PDF forces have been restricting the transport of commodities and collecting taxes/fees.

 Some weapons and ammunition seized during the SNA's capture of a KIA-PDF camp in Shwe Pyi Aye township.

Consequently, commodity prices in Homalin, Khamti, and the Naga region have skyrocketed, and local residents are facing severe travel difficulties.
A local resident from Homalin stated:

"The KIA-PDF has opened a gate in Shwe Pyi Aye town to inspect and regulate the transport of goods. They are collecting taxes. If they don't permit it, no goods can be transported, and no motorboats or ships can pass through. They charge around 300,000 Kyats per barrel of fuel. Because of this, commodity prices from Homalin upward have risen drastically. Shwe Pyi Aye is a key location for both military and economic reasons. It would be good if the relevant authorities could resolve these conditions. As for us civilians, we can't do much and just have to get by however we can."

The joint KIA-PDF forces captured Shwe Pyi Aye town on November 22, 2023, and have held it up to the present day.