Resistance forces retake key positions on Southern Kachin State frontline

Burma News International (BNI) is a network of 15 independent media and news organizations based in and around Burma Joint resistance forces have recaptured several strategic positions on the Ngaroe–Shwegu frontline in Shwegu Township in southern Kachin State, reversing temporary losses suffered during a month-long military junta offensive, according to residents and frontline sources. The allied forces—comprising the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF)—have reportedly regained control of key areas along the Shwegu–Bhamo Road, including Ngarlansone and Nyaungpinkway. Local sources noted that the resistance victory significantly disrupts the military regime's logistics, making it much harder for the junta to deploy reinforcing military columns from Mandalay, central Myanmar's main logistics hub, into Shwegu. In retaliation, the coup regime has intensified its reliance on heavy artillery and air power. “Over the past two to three days, the KIA and PDF have retaken control of areas like Ngarlansone and Nyaungpinkway, effectively blocking junta convoys from advancing through this corridor,” a Shwegu resident told the Kachin News Group (KNG). “Since then, the junta has launched near-daily airstrikes, and artillery shelling has been continuous throughout the day.” Last month, the junta launched a major offensive into Shwegu Township backed by heavy air support, forcing the KIA-PDF coalition to withdraw from several frontline outposts temporarily. Resistance forces have since launched counter-attacks to reclaim those lost positions. According to KNG sources, junta forces deployed a Y-12 utility aircraft to drop bombs over several key intersections in northern Shwegu Township on the evening of July 6, amid ongoing daily clashes. While fighting persists along the wider Shwegu–Bhamo Road, resistance forces have re-established control over the majority of the critical Ngaroe–Shwegu sector, a member of the Shwegu PDF confirmed. “Renewed clashes have broken out at the same strategic points along the road linking Shwegu and Bhamo. However, resistance forces have now retaken most of the territory between Ngaroe and Shwegu,” the PDF member told KNG. “Junta forces based in Shwegu town continue to shell the combat zones frequently, and military aircraft regularly conduct bombing raids.” Despite the heavy airstrikes and sustained artillery bombardments, residents report that the junta is continuing ground operations in an attempt to secure full control over Shwegu town and dislodge the entrenched resistance forces.