CNI News
18 August 2025

Since the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) launched an offensive on the Indawgyi region in Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, battles are breaking out between the KIA and the Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA), said locals.

The fighting reportedly began on August 16, 2025, after the KIA launched an offensive on the villages of Ma Mohn Kaing and Maing Naung in the Indawgyi region.

" The clashes are taking place in the hills of Maing Naung and Ma Mohn Kaing, as well as in the village of Ingyin Kone. A combined force of KIA/KPDF troops has arrived in the east bank of and in the village of Nant Yin, with the intention of attacking Hopin." said a local resident.

Reports suggest that the KIA and KPDF have deployed a combined force of around 200 troops to take control of the Indawgyi region and the villages of Ma Mohn Kaing and Maing Naung. The Indawgyi region is primarily inhabited by the Shanni ethnic group.

Local residents claim that when the KIA previously controlled the area, they often arrested locals from their homes, recruited, and collected money.

They also said that the KIA granted businessmen permission to mine for gold on the school grounds and football stadium in Ma Mohn Kaing village. When locals protested these actions, some were reportedly arrested.

The Shan Nationalities Army (SNA) began operating in Kachin State to protect the Shanni ethnic group and other Shan communities. In July 2025, the SNA advanced into the Indawgyi region and subsequently took control of Nam Mon and Ma Mohn Kaing villages. The current KIA-PDF offensive is to regain control of this territory.

CNI News
August 18, 2025

On August 18, 2025, U Than Soe, Chairman of the Union Election Commission (UEC), announced that the first phase of the multi-party democratic general election for each parliament will be held on December 28, 2025.

UEC announced that the dates for the upcoming sessions will be announced later.

CNI News

August 14, 2025

Military and political analysts point out that ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) should be given guarantees through constitutional amendments in order to persuade them.

They note that recent meetings of Spring Revolution armed groups at the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) headquarters in Laiza could intensify the military situation and also impact on holding elections.

Political analyst Dr. Myo Set Thway told CNI News that since EAOs have consistently demanded constitutional amendments, they must be persuaded through these amendments.

“We need to go down the path of exercising separation of powers. Those who deserve to take part in this division of power should be included. Even now, as much as possible, steps should be taken. But what the EAOs are demanding is constitutional amendment. According to the law, such amendments cannot be done outside of the Hluttaw. In the peace process, however, it’s not only about constitutional reform—issues like resource-sharing and power-sharing are also included. All of these must be addressed through constitutional amendment and negotiation. And to achieve that, once the Hluttaw is in place, the next government must put it into effect.” he said.

While ethnic armed groups were holding a conference

During July and August 2025, several Spring Revolution forces—including the Chin Brotherhood (CB), Karenni National Defense Force (KNDF), Yaw Army, Myingyan PDF, NUG ministers, and Naga armed groups—met with the KIA leadership in Laiza.

Three months after Myanmar gained its independence on January 4, 1948, a civil war broke out and has continued up to the present.

Sai Htay Aung, Chairman of the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party, told CNI News that the disclosure of such meetings at the KIA headquarters—which should have been kept secret—raises questions about whether it was revealed for political purposes.

While seeing Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and ethnic armed groups

“Yes, as long as armed groups keep operating, Myanmar will never achieve peace. When such news about meetings at KIA headquarters comes out, although it should have remained secret, we must consider whether it was revealed for use somewhere else—as a political card. Likely after the elections, under the new government. And that new government needs to be firm in principle but flexible in approach. In Myanmar, only when armed conflicts end can ordinary people live in peace and pursue livelihoods. At that point, if parliament makes decisions to gradually reduce and eliminate armed groups, that would be a way toward peace. It would mean using a mix of approaches—political, legal, and military—to persuade the armed groups to stand down. That, I believe, is the path forward," he said.

Currently, EAOs and Spring Revolution forces are demanding: the removal of military dictatorship; abolition or amendment of the 2008 Constitution; establishment of a federal union; strengthening of democracy; resource-sharing and power-sharing in governance.

Some EAOs are even demanding a confederation status, separate independent territories, self-determination, and self-administration, and are waging war against the Myanmar Tatmadaw to achieve what they want.

While EAOs continue to fight for greater autonomy, Commander-in-Chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has urged them to present their demands through the Hluttaw rather than on the battlefield.

CNI News

18 August 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that the State Security and Peace Commission should emphasize and cultivate an open-door policy and inclusivity.

Wang Yi made these remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister U Than Swe at the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Anning City, Yunnan Province, on August 14, 2025.

Wang Yi said, “We hope that Myanmar will continue to maintain reconciliation and cooperation. It should adopt an open and inclusive attitude and focus on winning the hearts and minds of the people. It should successfully implement three objectives through an election. The first point is domestic peace: to cease fire and govern the nation according to the will of the people. The second point is national reconciliation: to build the broadest possible unity. The third point is social harmony: to carry out post-earthquake reconstruction and economic development to improve the standard of living of the people.”

Although Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi used the term "all-inclusive," he did not specify which organizations or individuals should be included.

The Myanmar and Chinese delegations are seen during their meeting

Military and political analysts suggest that Wang Yi may have been pointing out that opposition forces with public support, such as the National League for Democracy (NLD), the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy (SNLD), and the Arakan National Party (ANP), should be allowed to participate in the upcoming election that Myanmar is preparing for.

They also speculate that he might have been indicating that the door should be opened to lifting international sanctions by releasing detained politicians who have popular support.

Foreign Minister U Than Swe stated, “Myanmar has lifted the state of emergency and is actively preparing for the general election to be held at the end of this year. We will strive to hold the election in a peaceful, stable, smooth, and credible manner.”

He then added that he would like to invite a Chinese delegation to observe the election.

The Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, has stated that the election in Myanmar will be held in December 2025 and January 2026.

However, political parties with public support and democratic forces that are not participating in the election are demanding that an all-inclusive dialogue be held to reach a political agreement before the election takes place.

CNI News

18 August 2025

Military and political analysts say that if both the ruling class and those waging armed revolution in Myanmar can achieve their desires and have political guarantees, the situation could change.

Armed organizations are striving to gain administrative control over their territories, and because each is acting as its own sovereign, the war must continue. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has stated that armed groups should make their demands through the Hluttaw.

Colonel Khun Okkar of the Pa-O National Liberation Organization (PNLO-NCA/S) told CNI News that if both sides calculate that the people of the states will suffer, and if they can both obtain what they want with political guarantees, the situation could change.

He said, “In any case, if military conflict and violence escalate, it is the local people of the states who will suffer. With that calculation, the political course can be changed if they choose to. However, it’s not about changing course after admitting defeat and suffering losses. If both sides can get what they want and have guarantees for their political rights, then it is possible the situation could change. Since the system is dominated by the military, if we want to transition to democracy and if ethnic groups want equal rights, transitioning to a federal system through political or peaceful means would cause the least harm. With armed means, it's very difficult to achieve a 100 percent sudden change, completely overturning the entire system. Given the country's condition and traditions, it is very difficult.”

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing and the RCSS Chairman General Yawd Serk

Currently, armed groups in Myanmar are demanding the establishment of democracy, the building of a federal union, and a reduction in the military's dominance.

Some Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) are fighting against the Myanmar Tatmadaw with demands for confederal status, the right to establish separate independent territories, and the rights to self-determination and self-administration.

Among the armed groups, the KIA (Kachin Independence Army) is the most politically astute. They are currently seen trying to gain an advantage over the Myanmar Tatmadaw by releasing photos of meetings with Spring Revolution forces, according to U Htet Aung Kyaw, Vice-Chairman of the National Democratic Force (NDF) party, who spoke to CNI News.

The NSPNC and 5 NCA-S EAOs

He said, "We cannot succeed by trying to eliminate each other. For us, politics is about turning enemies into friends. Because we are people who genuinely want to implement the policy of moving forward in unity, we truly support negotiation and dialogue, no matter with whom. The recent meetings at the KIA headquarters with other groups can be seen as an offer to the government that they are willing to discuss and negotiate. By doing this, it shows their political shrewdness among the armed groups. It is primarily increasing its bargaining power. When it comes to discussions, it can show that it has these assets. It can show that if it provides more support to these groups, this side ( the Myanmar Tatmadaw) will become more unstable, that it has these weapons, these hidden cards. However, it will discuss, it will negotiate. I see the release of these photos as a way for it to gain more bargaining power."

During July and August 2025, Spring Revolution forces—including the Chin Brotherhood (CB), Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), Yaw Defence Force, Myingyan PDF, NUG ministers, and Naga armed groups—gathered and held discussions with the KIA at their headquarters.

CNI News

18 August 2025

Military and political analysts told CNI News that the Arakan Army (AA) does not need to consider China's wish in the same way as its brotherhood allies, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

At a press conference on August 11, 2025, AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha told the media that unlike the situation where Lashio city was handed over to the Myanmar Tatmadaw due to Chinese pressure, they have no intention of handing over territories.

Dr. Hla Kyaw Zaw, a China-Myanmar affairs analyst, told CNI News that China's main pressure is to reopen border trade, and due to its different geographical location from Kokang and Ta'ang areas, the AA can remain independent of China.

She said, "The geographical situation is different. Geographically, they can stay clear of China. That's why they don't have to fear Chinese pressure much. In reality, China's main pressure is its desire to open border trade. Therefore, the MNDAA and the Ta'ang, which are at the border, have to open border trade for their economies to function. That's why they had to open it. Over there [in Rakhine], what pressure can China exert? The Kyaukphyu deep-sea port issue has been guaranteed by the AA from the beginning. They have already guaranteed that nothing will happen to it. That's why China cannot exert any pressure on them. They don't need to be too concerned with China's interests."

A crossroads in Rakhine State

Furthermore, AA spokesperson U Khaing Thukha stated at the press conference that there are some different background conditions between the AA and its brotherhood allies, and therefore, it is less likely that they will hand over towns.

He told the media that the AA has currently seized over 90 percent of Rakhine State and will continue to march forward to achieve its set goals.

U Myo Kyaw from the United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) told CNI News that as China is a major power not only for Myanmar but for the world, its pressure will, to some extent, affect the AA.

He said, "Regarding the pressure, China is a global superpower. Its pressure can affect not only our country, Myanmar, but also the revolutionary forces and revolutionary armies within Myanmar, just as its influence extends to ASEAN countries. When a major power like China uses its strength, even many countries in the world cannot withstand its influence to a certain extent. Therefore, we are aware that there will be some level of impact."

Currently, the AA has captured 14 townships, including Paletwa in Chin State, with only three towns—Sittwe, Kyaukphyu, and Manaung—remaining [under junta control in Rakhine].

Among these remaining three towns, fighting with the Myanmar Tatmadaw has been intense in Kyaukphyu. It is understood that the AA has currently halted its offensive, switching to a defensive posture, and the military situation has become quiet.

CNI News
17 August 2025

Those involved in the peace process told CNI News that while the peace implementation committees formed under the previous SAC (State Administration Council) have been dissolved and are to be re-formed, the key figures should not be changed.

The Office of the National Defense and Security Council announced on August 1, 2025, that a total of 194 committees, commissions, and organizations—including the National Solidarity and Peace-making Negotiation Committee (NSPNC)—formed under the SAC had been dissolved.

Although the NSPNC has now been dissolved, it will be re-formed, but the main figures should not be changed, said PNLO-NCA.S Chairman, Colonel Khun Okkar, in an interview with CNI News.

“Of course, we were worried as soon as we knew that. What’s going on? For our NCA signatory groups, we have our dialogue partners. So, are our partners gone now? They said no—it will be re-formed as soon as possible. This is just about abolishing what had been established during the former government. Soon, everything will be reorganized as needed. Although they announced its dissolution, we see that the committee members are still continuing their work as usual. Yes, some personnel may be changed. But the main key figures should not be changed. Peripheral, less central members may come and go, but those who have long stood as dialogue partners—the leaders—have experience, familiarity, and trust. These are irreplaceable. So it seems that these leaders will be reinstated and given responsibilities again.” said Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt.

Peace committees formed to hold talks with ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) are often restructured whenever there is a change of government.

During President U Thein Sein’s administration, the Union Peace-making Work Committee (UPWC) and Myanmar Peace Center (MPC) were formed. Under the NLD government, they were dissolved and replaced by the National Reconciliation and Peace Center (NRPC) and Peace Commission (PC). Later, under the SAC, they were reorganized as the NSPNC.

Colonel Saw Kyaw Nyunt, spokesperson of the 7EAO Alliance, told CNI News that during U Thein Sein’s administration, because of the high level of mutual trust between the government and ethnic armed groups, the most important agreement—the NCA (Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement)—was able to emerge.

He added that when new structures are reorganized, trust must be rebuilt, which brings difficulties.

Major General Saw Kyaw Nyunt said: “After the NCA emerged, the leaders who had made efforts for the NCA were no longer involved when the NLD government took over in 2015–2016. That caused difficulties. It’s about trust. When you have people who’ve long worked with you, trust develops. But when new committees are formed with new people, you have to rebuild that trust, and make fresh efforts again. That brings challenges. If the people who had been involved from the very beginning are replaced, then the negotiation process itself becomes broader and more complicated. And for us, the ethnic armed organizations, rebuilding and implementing those things again takes time and is not easy. That’s why, although I say there are difficulties when changes happen, if the original key people who have been engaged from the start continue to be involved, even under a new name, then that can serve as an easier way amidst the difficulties. That’s what we’ve experienced.”

Among the bodies recently dissolved by the current Defense and Security Council were the National Solidarity and Peace-making Central Committee (NSPC), the National Solidarity and Peace-making Work Committee (NSPWC), the NSPNC, and the negotiation teams with ethnic armed organizations.

Although the NSPNC has been dissolved, plans are being made to form a new body, with the possibility of only minor changes to its representatives.

The NSPNC was the committee responsible for meeting with ethnic armed groups and discussing the peace process.

The NSPNC was chaired by Lieutenant General Yar Pyae (Minister for Border Affairs), with Lieutenant General Min Naing serving as Secretary. Other members included: 
Maj-Gen. Aung Kyaw Kyaw (Deputy Minister for Home Affairs)
Police Chief Win Zaw Moe
A Colonel (Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs)
Brig. Gen. Wunna Aung (JMC)
U Hla Maung Shwe
Lt. Gen. Win Bo Shein (Retired)
Lt. Gen. Sein Win (Retired / Chairman of Myanmar War Veterans Organization)
Lt. Gen. Myo Thant Naing
U Myint Kyaing (Minister for Immigration and Manpower)
U Khin Maung Yi (Minister for Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation)

CNI News

17 August  2025

The 79th Naga Independence Day was jointly celebrated by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Anmai (NSCN-K/AM), led by Anmai, and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland -Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) in the Naga region of Myanmar.

According to a statement from NSCN-K/AM, the 79th Naga Independence Day, which fell on August 14, 2025, was celebrated jointly by the NSCN-K/AM and NSCN-IM forces in the United Base Area (as the Naga armed groups call it), located within Myanmar’s Naga Self-Administered Zone.

The NSCN-K/AM group stated, "A photograph of the combined force of the Naga Army NSCN-K and NSCN-IM was taken and displayed at the combined camp in the United Base Area on the Nagaland in Myanmar on August 14, 2025. This force is clearly present with the unified strength of an armed strategy to protect the motherland."

The NSCN-K/AM was formed on July 2, 2023, by Anmai, who was expelled by the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang/Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA).

The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), which was formed in 1980, split into two factions in 1988 due to internal disagreements: the NSCN-K, led by Khaplang, and the NSCN-IM, led by Isak Chishi Swu and Muivah.

Of these two Naga armed groups, the NSCN-K/AM is based in Myanmar, while the NSCN-IM is based in India. However, the NSCN-IM also has a presence and operates in the Naga areas within Myanmar.

CNI News

16 August 2025

Government staff and the people are accused of being decoys and more killings of them could take place during the upcoming elections, so effective and preventive measures would be needed, said Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

He said the above at the meeting of the SSPC held in Naypyidaw on August 12. There may be individuals and organizations local and abroad that could do subversive acts not to make the election succeed and they could disrupt the election in various ways, said Chairman of the SSPC.

" Killings of government staff and people after being accused of informers could take place more, so effective and preventive measures will be needed. Those culprits will be identified collaboratively and it's necessary to prosecute them as soon as possible." said Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.

The Union Election Commission told CNI News that elections will be held in 267 townships in Myanmar in December 2025 and January 2026.

Some EAOs, the National Unity Government (NUG), the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), the Committee Representing Pyidaungsu Hluttaw (CRPH), the People's Defense Forces and the Spring Revolution forces have announced that they will sabotage the election.

While seeing those who were casting ballots

Similarly, they have announced that they will effectively take action against those who participate in the election. So, political parties and candidates that will run the election are worried about their security.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing told officials concerned to make measures in order to protect candidates, political parties and the people.

Then, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing enacted the law of protecting multi-party democratic general elections from disturbance and subversiveness on July 29.

According to the law, those who disturb and damage the election, commit homicide and agitate to commit homicide can be sentenced at least 10 years in prison and at most life imprisonment and death sentence.