CNI News
23 August 2025

Military and political observers are questioning the reasons behind the Arakan Army (AA) fighting alongside the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) against the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) in an effort to control the Indawgyi region, where the majority of the population is Shanni.

On August 16, 2025, about 200 KIA/AA joint troops began an offensive on SNA camps in the villages of Ma Mong Kaing and Maing Naung to gain control of the Indawgyi region.

After losing some of their camps, the SNA launched a counter-offensive on August 17, successfully retaking the lost camps.

U Sai Htay Aung, the chairman of the Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News that the AA might have joined the battle because the KIA requested military assistance. Another possibility is that the KIA granted the AA jade mining rights, which obligated them to join the fighting.

"The AA is an ally of the KIA, so they might have joined because the KIA requested military assistance. The KIA also reportedly gave the AA jade mining rights in areas they control, like the Hpakant region, which may have made their participation mandatory. Also, the AA attacked Ma Mung Kaing village on August 16th and then retreated on the 17th. We heard that the AA was the first to withdraw. If that's what the AA said, we're happy about it. The news we received is that they didn't want to fight their fellow ethnic group and were the first to withdraw. The SNA also maintained a spirit of brotherhood with other ethnic groups, so when the AA was the first to retreat, it showed that there's an ethnic brotherhood. So, there is no reason for us not to live in peace and harmony," he said.

The Indawgyi region

The AA is an Arakanese armed group that was founded by the KIA in April 2009 in Laiza, Kachin State. The AA's leaders still reside in Laiza. Since its founding, the AA has participated in joint operations with the KIA.

CNI attempted to contact the AA for comment on their joint attack with the KIA against the SNA in the Indawgyi region but was unable to reach them.

The Indawgyi region is located in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, and is home to a majority Shanni population.

According to Indawgyi locals, while the KIA was in control of the region, they oppressed the local population in various ways, including going house to house to arrest and conscript young people and collecting taxes. In July 2025, the Shanni armed group, SNA, penetrated and took control of the Indawgyi region.

Currently, the KIA is fighting alongside PDF groups to attack the SNA in the townships of Banmauk and Homalin in the Sagaing Region, which are under the SNA's control, in an effort to seize those areas.

CNI News
22 August 2025

The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on August 21, 2025 that political parties competing in the upcoming elections in Myanmar are now permitted to carry out their campaign activities.

The first phase of the election in Myanmar will be held on December 28, 2025.

The remaining phases will be held in January 2026.

CNI News
22 August 2025

The Union Election Commission (UEC) announced on August 20, 2025, that it has set and declared the dates for the submission, withdrawal, and scrutiny of Hluttaw candidate lists for the various Hluttaws.

CNI News
22 August 2025

With the upcoming election, the decision has been made to hold the Pyithu Hluttaw election using the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system across all 330 constituencies.

This has prompted discussions among political parties about what the voting process should be in areas controlled and not controlled by the Myanmar Tatmadaw.

On August 20, the Union Election Commission (UEC) announced that the first phase of the election would be held in 102 townships.

This raises the question of whether the 63 townships under martial law will be included in the remaining areas where elections are to be held, said Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the Arakan Front Party (AFP), to CNI News.

He stated, "In a state, there will be some townships controlled by the government and some that are not yet controlled. If elections are to be held in all 330 townships, it means that they will be held simultaneously in both controlled and uncontrolled townships, or they will be held in multiple phases. So, how will ballot boxes be set up? Ballot boxes can be set up in controlled areas, but how will they be set up in towns that are not yet controlled? Or, if the voters from those uncontrolled towns are residing in controlled areas, is the decision to hold the election in all 330 townships based on considering their votes? If so, will those people from uncontrolled areas who are now residing in controlled areas be allowed to vote there, or will they be allowed to cast an advance vote, or an absentee ballot? We don't know yet. The Pyithu Hluttaw, the Amyotha Hluttaw, and the Region/State Hluttaws are all using the FPTP system. What kind of voting method will be used in the controlled and uncontrolled towns? The Election Commission says that people have to go and vote at the polling station using an electronic voting machine. It seems we need to ask the Election Commission this question again."

Voting is in progress

The UEC had announced on August 18 that the first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for various Hluttaws would take place on December 28, 2025, and that the dates for subsequent phases would be announced later.

Furthermore, the election will use electronic voting machines and a two-system approach, where voters can choose a candidate and cast their ballot, and also select and vote for a party.

It is also heard that voters must go to the location where the ballot box is set up to cast their vote. Dr. Aye Maung, Chairman of the AFP, told CNI News that the voting process in government-controlled and uncontrolled areas raises questions.

He said, "For example, if voters from uncontrolled townships want to cast an advance vote or an absentee ballot for the candidates running in their respective townships, it would take some time. It can't be done in a single day. The nature of the Pyithu Hluttaw election under the FPTP system is that in a state, about half of the townships are controlled and elections will be held there. But what about the other half that are not yet controlled? Will polling stations be set up in controlled areas to ensure that voters from uncontrolled townships do not lose their right to vote? Will the votes of those voters from uncontrolled townships who are now in other regions or states be collected via absentee or advance voting? How will the representatives for the 330 Pyithu Hluttaw constituencies be elected? I think it would be better if the Election Commission provided a clarification after a separate discussion. It would also be better for the voters."

KIA troops are seen

Currently, with the election date confirmed, political parties say that the campaign period could be 60 days, based on previous election experiences.

As the election approaches, there are concerns about the security of the parties and the candidates who will be competing.

However, at an election-related meeting on August 12, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing stated that the State Security and Peace Commission must provide protection for the political parties and candidates from the campaign period until the voting day.

CNI News

22 August 2025

The Chairman of the Tai-Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP), Sai Htay Aung, told CNI News that if the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) desires peace, it needs to avoid being greedy.

His comments came after TNLA's General Secretary, Major General Tar Bone Kyaw, wrote on his Facebook page on August 12, 2025, that the biggest challenge in the current revolution is China's self-interested dominance and control.

TNDP Chairman Sai Htay Aung suggested that China's recommendations during negotiations could be a source of pressure for the TNLA.

"From my perspective, if the TNLA wants peace, I want to say that it is necessary not to be greedy," said Sai Htay Aung. "Taking what is rightfully yours is worry-free. But if you forcibly take something that isn't yours, it's like embracing a burning object. Therefore, if we are to live together in friendship and harmony among ethnic groups, it is necessary to reduce greed and ego. As for the pressure on them, they are now negotiating with China. China will likely give suggestions on what they should do for peace in Myanmar. That suggestion could become a pressure point for them."

The TNLA troops

The TNLA, along with the Kokang forces (MNDAA), the Arakan Army (AA), People's Defense Forces (PDF), BPLA, KNDA, BNRA, and MDY-PDF, launched "Operation 1027" on October 27, 2023. They attacked and captured several towns in northern Shan State, including Namhkam, Nansang, Mantong, Namtu, Mong Ngor, Kutkai, Hsipaw, Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, and Momeik, as well as Mogok in Mandalay Region.

Following this, the Chinese government applied pressure to stop the fighting and engage in dialogue, imposing five major restrictions on the TNLA. Similarly, it pressured the MNDAA to halt joint military operations and offensives, forcing them to withdraw from Lashio, and banned the supply of weapons and ammunition to the TNLA.

As a result, the TNLA held initial talks with the Myanmar Tatmadaw on February 16-17, 2025, followed by a second round on April 28-29. A third round of talks is expected in August 2025.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw, which recaptured the TNLA-controlled town of Nawnghkio in July 2025, is now launching offensives to retake Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mogok.

While seeing the TNLA and the two delegates of Myanmar Tatmadaw

U Khun Sai, who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News that given the current situation, he believes the TNLA should engage in dialogue and expects that they will.

"If we look at the state of global tensions, even while one side is fighting, the other side is negotiating. Fighting and negotiating are often done simultaneously. Historically and practically, everyone does it. Negotiations can be public, or they can be held behind closed doors, without any news released, and without the media being informed. Such things are happening now. We can't say the TNLA is completely avoiding dialogue. But they should do it, and I hope they will," he said.

At a press conference on August 5, TNLA spokesperson Lway Yay Oo confirmed that Chinese government pressure on their military operations continues. She stated that because they cannot defy the pressure from the Chinese government, they have to cooperate and will attend the talks.

Meanwhile, during a speech to officers and their families in the Magway cantonment on August 18, 2025, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, stated that the biggest challenge during periods of political instability is the effort by states to secede.

CNI News

22 August 2025

The Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) has opened a school to enable children displaced by conflict from villages within the war zone in Banmauk Township, Sagaing Region, to continue their education, according to local residents.

Schools in the villages of Le Net Gyi, Pe Kone, and Nar Yaw in southern Banmauk Township have been unable to open for three years as they are located within an active conflict zone.

In response, the SNA's Brigade 614 established a school in the Hlwarsin Kone ward of Banmauk town, also providing students with stationery supplies.

A local resident stated, "Since they can't open schools in the villages because fighting could break out at any time, they are teaching in two shifts here in Hlwarsin Kone ward. One group learns until 12 AM, and the second group learns from 12 AM to 3:30 PM. It's truly sad. That's why I donated necessary items like notebooks, pencils, erasers, and provided a noon meal."

Currently, a total of 206 displaced students from the three villages of Le Net Gyi, Pe Kone, and Nar Yaw are studying at the school opened in Hlwarsin Kone ward, Banmauk.

Banmauk Township, the gateway to Kachin State, is the scene of ongoing clashes between the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) and joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People's Defense Force (PDF), who are frequently launching offensives to gain control of the area.

CNI News

22 August 2025

The United Wa State Army (UWSA) held a meeting with leaders from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Shan State Progress Party (SSPP), and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) in Pangsang on August 20, 2025. 

During the meeting, the UWSA announced it will no longer supply weapons or equipment to any organization, according to a WSTV broadcast on the same day.

The UWSA stated that this announcement is its official military decision.

UWSA Vice Chairman Zhao Guoan addressed the attendees, stating, "We thank all the brotherly organizations for attending this very important meeting. This is to inform you of the Wa State's decision. Before this important decision is officially announced to the public, I want to explain the Wa State's position on peace and the very serious situation we are currently facing."

He continued, "The Wa State will no longer provide weapons and equipment to any organization. It will not provide financial assistance to any organization for any military reason, at any time, or in any place. This decision will be officially announced to the public, and we urge all organizations not to disturb the Wa State again by requesting weapons, equipment, financial aid, or other such matters."

High-level officials from the UWSA, including Zhao Zhongdan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Wa State Central Political Bureau, and Luo Yaku, Vice Chairman of the Wa government and Minister of Foreign Affairs, were in attendance. 

The meeting was also attended by TNLA General Secretary Brigadier General Tar Bone Kyaw and other leaders from the SSPP and MNDAA.

The TNLA and MNDAA were key partners in "Operation 1027," which resulted in the capture of approximately 20 towns in northern Shan State and the Mandalay Region.

According to the report, China has been pressuring the UWSA to halt the sale of ammunition, food, fuel, and medicine to the TNLA and MNDAA. This has reportedly weakened the TNLA's military capabilities, leading to their withdrawal from Nawnghkio and their current defensive posture in Kyaukme, Hsipaw, and Mogok.

CNI News

22 August 2025

Local sources report that the Arakan Army (AA) is fighting alongside the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) against the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) to gain control of the Indawgyi region, where the majority of the population are Shanni people.

To seize control of the Indawgyi area, the KIA, with about 200 AA troops, launched an offensive on August 16, 2025, attacking SNA outposts in the villages of Ma Mong Kain and Maing Naung.

After the SNA lost some military outposts, they reportedly launched a counteroffensive on August 17, regaining the lost outposts.

A resident of the Indawgyi area stated, "The KIA has been launching an offensive to control Indawgyi since August 16. The surprising thing is that the Arakanese group, the AA, is fighting alongside the KIA. This shouldn't be happening. Why is the AA attacking the Shanni region? There have never been any problems between the Shanni and the Rakhine people. We condemn the AA for fighting on the side of the KIA. We want them to stop this completely wrong action. Even if they are not friends, we do not want them to become enemies."

The AA is a Rakhine armed group that the KIA founded in April 2009 in Laiza, Kachin State. AA leaders are currently residing in Laiza. Since its founding, the AA has been fighting alongside the KIA in their military operations.

The CNI attempted to contact the AA for comment regarding their joint operation with the KIA against the SNA in the Indawgyi region, but has not yet received a response.

The Indawgyi region is part of the Mohnyin Township in Kachin State and is home to a majority Shanni population.

According to local Indawgyi residents, while the KIA was in control of the region, they oppressed the local population in various ways, including going from house to house to arrest and conscript young people and collecting taxes. They said that the Shanni armed group, the SNA, then penetrated and took control of the Indawgyi region in July 2025.

CNI News

21 August 2025

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, stated that the biggest challenge during the current period of political instability is the states' secessionist efforts.

He made the remark on August 18, 2025, while meeting with officers and their families at the Magway cantonment.

He said that after gaining independence, the country first adopted a parliamentary system before shifting to a socialist system with a centralized administration. He noted that political disagreements had led to domestic unrest, which the country had to overcome with great difficulty, and that the Tatmadaw (military) had to intervene to restore stability and peace.

"The biggest challenge during this time of political instability is the push for secession from the states," said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. "Just as there are political differences in our country, there are also power struggles between socialist and democratic systems internationally. Historical evidence shows similar rivalries between communist and democratic systems in some neighboring countries."

 Leaders of AA, TNLA, MNDAA, KIA

After alleging that the National League for Democracy (NLD) government attempted to form a government without resolving a dispute over the 2020 election voter lists, the Myanmar Tatmadaw overthrew the NLD and declared a state of emergency on February 1, 2021, and has been in power ever since.

Subsequently, nationwide protests and armed resistance against the military government have intensified, leading to severe armed conflicts across the country.

Among the armed groups fighting, the Arakan Army (AA) has stated its goal is a confederation at a minimum and the establishment of an Arakan nation at a maximum. 
TNLA Secretary-General Tar Bone Kyaw has also urged the Ta'ang (Palaung) people to be prepared to establish their own nation if necessary.

 UWSA troops 

Similarly, KIA Deputy Commander-in-Chief Lieutenant General Gun Maw stated during a meeting with Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi that ethnic groups might begin considering options beyond federalism in 2025.

Pado Saw Kwe Htoo Win, Chairman of the Karen National Union (KNU), also said on the 76th Karen Revolution Day on June 14, 2025, that the Karen national revolutionary movement is about fulfilling the Karen people's dream of establishing a Kawthoolei nation.

Military and political analysts also point out that the Wa and Mong La groups have established their own separate administrative systems and are operating independently, placing them outside the democracy and federal systems that other forces are striving for.