Military recaptures strategic village in Sagaing Region along India–Myanmar highway corridor

The military ousted the People’s Defence Force (PDF) from Tamu Township’s Htinzin village, located along 81-mile (130 km) long Kalay-Tamu road in Sagaing Region, on Sunday—five days after regime forces reclaimed control of Tamu’s Kammagyi village on July 21. No casualties were reported by either side during fighting which began following the regime’s recapture of Tigyaing town on March 26. Since 2022, the PDF under National Unity Government (NUG) command has seized control of Sagaing’s Khampat, Shwe Pyi Aye, Myothit and Pinlebu towns. Tamu is contested between the PDF and regime forces. Regime media reported that the PDF occupied local homes and offices in Htinzin village after ejecting its occupants. Resistance forces are also accused of looting the properties and torturing residents who were unable to provide them with support. The PDF has not responded to these claims. Tamu is located 210 miles (337 km) north of the Sagaing Region capital Monywa. The Kalay-Tamu road lies on the 870-mile (1,400 km) India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral (IMTT) Highway that connects the India border town of Moreh to Thailand’s border town of Mae Sot, via Myanmar. The regime counteroffensive in Sagaing intensified after Min Aung Hlaing and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed security concerns along the IMTT during a meeting in New Delhi on June 1.