CNI News

25 July 2025

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) was arresting and militarily recruiting Naga people as well as arresting members of the NSCN-K/YA, a Naga armed group. So, the Naga Students Organization (NSO) has questioned if the KIA is declaring war on the Naga people.

The KIA troops massively entered the Naga ancestral lands near Talu and Lungyone villages west of the Tanai River on July 18, 2025, and the KIA arrested 16 members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Kaplan/Yung Aung (NSCN-K/YA) along with their weapons and ammunition. 

So, the NSO has questioned if the KIA is declaring war on the Naga people or testing their patience.

“In recent years, especially after the military coup in 2021, the KIA’s repeated provocations have posed a significant threat to the existing friendship. When several hundreds of Naga youths go to Kachin State on business including education and healthcare, the Naga youths and Naga young men from gold and jade digging areas and Naga villages near Kachin State borde were recruited against their will by the KIA. Amy news about some of them was not heard and others were being used as human shields on the battle ground. These incidents were insulting the Naga people who cherish the peace," said in the statement. 

The statement released by the Naga Students Organization

They condemned the KIA's repeated provocations; they demanded the KIA to release the Naga forces and unconditionally give back the weapons seized, said the NSO.

If the KIA delayed to comply with their demand, they would deem that it speeds up the conflict and if its hostilities continued to take place, the KIA would be responsible for the consequent problems, said the NSO in its statement.

Despite such aggression by the KIA, the Naga people have shown patience without retaliating. They had hoped Kachin leaders to bring peace, recognizing its alliance, but that hope has been narrow, said in the statement.

Then, on June 7, 2024, they went to meet with KIA leaders in Kachin State to discuss the issues, but the KIA troops in Shin Bwe Yang, Tanai Township, blocked them from going to the KIA headquarters. 

While seeing the NSCN-K/YA

On June 13-14, 2024, they held discussions with junior KIA officers, but they had to come back without getting any answers. However, the KIA’s aggressive actions have worsened, said in the NSO's statement.

The KIA has been increasingly recruiting Naga people since 2021, and has reportedly arrested and recruited not only Naga youth living in Kachin State but also in townships such as Nanyun, Pansaung, Lahe, and Donghee in the Naga Self-Administered Zone. The KIA recruited around 300 Naga youths between February and September 2023, said Naga locals.

The KIA troops arrested Naga youths, entering one house after another, in some villages in the Shin Bwe Yang area of Tanai Township in the second week of April, 2024, according to Naga locals.

The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Brigade (2) is reportedly operating in Tanai Township and the Hukaung Valley, Kachin State.

CNI News
24 July 2025

The Myanmar Army has regained control of most areas in Thabeikkyin town, Mandalay Region, since July 22. 

The Myanmar Tatmadaw has regained control of most areas in Thabeikkyin town, Mandalay Region, since July 22, 2025.

Joint forces from the Mandalay People's Defense Force (MDY-PDF), the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the Mogok Strategy attacked the Myanmar Tatmadaw and captured Thabeikkyin Town on August 25, 2024.

The Myanmar Army then launched counter offensives against Thabeikkyin, Naungcho, and Mobye and was able to recapture Mobye in Kayah State in the second week of July 2025, Naungcho in northern Shan State on July 16, and Thabeikkyin in Mandalay Region, on July 23.

Currently, the Myanmar Tatmadaw has taken control of most of the key areas in Thabeikkyin, including Myo Oo Taung Baw Phaya Gon, the city hall, and the public hospital.

CNI News

24 July 2025

There were considerations and comments that  the State Administration Council will hold elections whether they were supported or not, U Khun Sai who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News. 

The SAC Chairman has pledged that elections will be held in December, 2025 and January, 2026. However, There are different opinions local and abroad regarding whether elections could be held or not.

According to those close to diplomatic circles, the SAC has determined to hold elections whether other people like it or not, said U Khun Sai.

" We have heard that the SAC has determined to hold elections whether other people like it or not. Now that summer holidays have reached, many ambassadors have largely returned home, but they ordered their staff to inform them of how the SAC will make a decision or announce on 31 July, 2025 in time. Diplomatic circles seem to deem that elections are unavoidable whether it is liked or not. Organizations that are closely watching Myanmar such as the ICG said that it was impossible to hold elections." he said.

While seeing those who were demanding democracy

ASEAN members would not accept elections that didn't include all the political parties and elections that were not all-inclusive wouldn't be able to solve any problem, and the situation would be worse, said Malaysian FM. Without giving priority to elections, only if efforts were made to give priority to stop all terrorist attacks, all the stakeholders could meet and discuss, he said.
 
However, China, India, Thailand and Bangladesh have accepted the elections that will bw held by the SAC. Saying that democracy could be restored and a federal union could be established by the SAC's successfully holding elections did not make sense; they could not be free and fair elections, the Shan Nationalities League for Democracy Party (SNLD) Chairman Sai Nyunt Lwin told CNI News.

There are different attitudes between neighboring countries and ASEAN countries regarding Myanmar elections. And some ASEAN countries have no comments about the elections.

Neighboring countries would continue to support the elections because they have deemed that the elections are an exit from conflicts, U Khun Sai who is involved in the peace process, told CNI News.

While casting votes in the election

" Neighboring countries especially Thailand, India and China have considered the elections as an exit from conflicts. So, they will support the elections. But some ASEAN countries have no comments about the elections. Others, like Malaysia, have said that dialogues and ceasefire are more important than elections. The statement released from the last ASEAN meeting didn't include comments regarding elections. But they said that an extended and expanded ceasefire was needed. ASEAN Summit Talks will be held on October 26, 27 and 28 where the Malaysian Special Envoy's report will be presented." he said.

The SAC chairman has said that democracy must be implemented in Myanmar Way and Myanmar Style. Moreover, the Union Election Commission has told CNI News that elections will be held in 267 townships in phases.

Except for the territories limited by security, elections will be held in all the States and Regions on the basis of priority plans.

CNI News

24 July 2025

A agreement was reached in the meeting on peace, stability and unity of Karen State to change the Border Guard Force (BGF) into the Karen National Army (KNA) and the meeting pledged not to secede from Myanmar. 

The meeting was held in the Aye Lin Mya Shin Dhamayon in the Myine Gyi Ngu Special Region on July 20, 2025.

The points that were discussed in the meeting included (1) that as the BGF emerged based on religion from the Karen National Union (KNU), the force will sacrifice their lives for the religion to protect the religion and (2) the force will protect Karen people and ethnic groups in Karen State, and (3) the force has determined not secede from Myanmar and (4) the force will give priority to and carry out regional peace, stability and development and the force will make an attempt to ensure that Karen State achieves self-administration and self-determination as well as a federal democratic union is established, and (6) Sayadaws and Sanghas are informed that the BGF will be changed into the KNA, and (7) Sayadaws and Sanghas were requested to tell their advice, opinion and comments about changing the BGF into the KNA, according to a participant in the discussion.

The seven points were discussed by the BGF leaders, Sanghas, political parties and elders of the community and three points were agreed reportedly. 

The three points are that (1) changing the BGF into the KNA was agreed, and (2) they agreed that the KNA will never secede from Myanmar, and (3) a prayer ceremony for peace will be held.

The meeting was attended by 47 monks, members from Karen political parties, nine elders of the community, 18 leaders and commanders of the BGF, 79 village and ward administrators and 292 elders from various villages, a total of 445 people.

CNI News

24 July 2025

Indian Ambassador to Myanmar Mr. Abhay Thakur met with Myanmar Union Minister for Electric Power, U Nyan Tun and discussed cross-border power grid project and matters relating to the collaboration in the electric sector on July 21, 2025.

A meeting of the negotiation committee on cooperation in electric sector was held in New Delhi early this month. After that, this discussion took place.

Currently in Myanmar, there are power cut-offs due to armed conflicts across the country and electricity is being distributed on the basis of rotation.

CNI News

24 July 2025

The State Administration Council should report the public what kinds of jobs for the military personnel from the people's military service have been created, the Tai Leng (Shanni) Nationalities Development Party (TNDP) Chairman Sai Htay Aung told CNI News. 

The management committee on providing employment to those who dutifully served in the army was formed on July 8, 2025, reported the SAC.

The committee contains Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister as Chairman, Union Labor Minister as Vice Chairman-1, Chairman of the Public Service Selection Board as Vice Chairman-2, the Adjutant General as Vice Chairman-3, Union Minister of the Ministry of the SAC Chairman Office-4 as Secretary and Director of the Directorate of Resettlement from the Office of Commander in Chief (Army) as Joint Secretary.

While seeing the statement that the management committee on providing employment to ex-military personnel has been formed 

Even though the committee has been formed, the public should be informed of what kinds of jobs have been created, said the TNDP Chairman Sai Htay Aung.

" Currently issued law is intended for the military personnel who were called up into the army under the people's military service law, I think. Job opportunities are created for those who dutifully served in the army. But it is necessary to inform the public of what kinds of jobs have been created." he said.

The committee is responsible to resettle the dutiful military personnel from the people's military service who have become disable (EA1, EA2 and NEA) because of enemies like permanent military personnel with the plan of the Directorate of Resettlement under the command of the Adjutant General Office.

The formation of the committee was good, but only if efforts are made in order to enable ex-military personnel to benefit on the ground, could the plan achieve the public support, pointed out those close to the Tatmadaw community.

If military personnel left the army, they could enjoy pensions and jobs were created for those who were wounded to get supportive salaries, Dr. Aung Myo, a political analyst, told CNI News.

" Those who served in the army according to the People's Military Service Law are allowed to leave the army after they had served for two years so that other people will join the army. Those who will leave the army will be helped to enable them to get jobs in accordance with the law. The State plans for them in detail kind of. The plans have been made to give supportive salaries to those who were wounded. Those who leave the army can enjoy the pensions, but deserters can't. The authorities have laid down the guidelines to make those who leave the army convenient as soon as possible." he said.

With the political crisis that emerged since on February 1, 2021, the People's Military Service law took into effect on February 10 and according to the law, military recruitment has reached until 15th batch. Because the SAC recruited 5,000 people per batch, it has already recruited a total of 7,500.

CNI News

24 July 2025

The 14-day long India-Myanmar UN Peacekeeping Training Course, organized by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi, began in Naypyidaw on 21 July 2025, reported the Indian Embassy in Myanmar.

Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur and Vice Chairman of the State Administration Council, Vice Senior General Soe Win, attended the opening ceremony and delivered their respective addresses.

A training officer of the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in India also explained India’s participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations, the SAC said.

The course will run from 21 July to 1 August 2025.

This is the eighth opening of such a course, and 130 officers and  84 other ranks had attended the course from 2016 to 2019. The current course will be attended by 30 officers.

The course will focus on de-escalation, conflict management and protection of civilians, said the Indian embassy.

The SAC said that the course would cover the history of UN peacekeeping operations, its constitution, rules and procedures, the code of conduct for UN peacekeeping missions, protection of civilians, protection of children, civil-military cooperation, patrolling, convoy security, erection of squadron bases, and Exercise Blue Helmet.

India is a neighboring country of Myanmar and has been assisting Myanmar in its democratic transition and federalization.

CNI News

23 July 2025

The Tatmadaw had to retreat until the border between Pyin Oo Lwin and Naungcho Townships because armed groups received the behind-the-scene advanced technological assistances during the terrorist incidents, said Vice Chairman of the SAC Vice Senior General Soe Win. 

He made the remarks during a visit to Naungcho on July 21, 2025, where he met with local residents and soldiers who had retaken Naungcho.

“During the terrorist incidents, the armed groups received support, encouragement and advanced technological assistance from behind the scenes, so the Tatmadaw had to gradually withdraw from the Naungcho area to the Taung Kham area and the Pyin Oo Lwin-Naung Cho township border,” he said. 

However, he did not say exactly which organization or country was supporting the armed groups.

Domestic and international military and political observers have accused China of providing advanced technology, drones, ammunition, and food to the TNLA-MNDAA-AA during Operation 1027.

Then, after the Tatmadaw regained control of Naungcho, the first order given by the Prime Minister was to reopen schools that had been closed for almost a year as soon as possible and allow students to continue their education, he said.

Therefore, starting from July 22, school enrollment is planned to begin, and parents are required to send their children to school. Moreover, The Prime Minister has ordered to repair the 25-bed Naungcho Township Public Hospital and provide health care services as usual as well as carry out security and rule of law for stability, peace and long-term development of Naungcho Township, said Vice Senior General Soe Win.

Naung Cho town was controlled by the TNLA during the second wave of Operation 1027, which began in June 2024, and was recaptured by the Myanmar Tatmadaw on July 16, 2025. 

Then, the Myanmar Tatmadaw is engaged in clashes with TNLA forces in townships such as Kyaukme, Thibaw, and Mogok.

CNI News

23 July 2025

The 14 day-long India-Myanmar United Nations Peacekeeping Training Course led by the Centre for United Nations Peacekeeping in New Delhi, India was inaugurated on July 21, 2025 in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, reported the Indian Embassy to Myanmar.

The Indian embassy said the training course would focus on de-escalation, conflict management and protection of civilians. Indian Ambassador Abhay Thakur and the SAC Vice Chairman Vice Senior General Soe Win attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches.

India is a neighboring country of Myanmar and is assisting Myanmar in its democratic transition and federal union building.