Junta troops approach TNLA-held Hsipaw
Junta troops, who are launching a fierce offensive against Hsipaw, are now within 3 miles of the town in northern Shan State that is controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
14 Oct 2025

DMG Newsroom
14 October 2025, Hsipaw, northern Shan State
Junta troops, who are launching a fierce offensive against Hsipaw, are now within 3 miles of the town in northern Shan State that is controlled by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
Fighting between the TNLA and the Myanmar military is currently taking place near Narkhe Village near Hsipaw town, and yesterday’s fighting reportedly extended beyond Bawkyo Village.
“The clashes between the TNLA and Myanmar military are taking place near Narkhe Village,” said a local resident. “The village is just over 3 miles from Hsipaw town. The TNLA is fiercely resisting the Myanmar military’s offensive, so clashes are still ongoing. Details are not yet known.”
Locals also say that junta columns are attacking the TNLA with large contingents of ground forces, and air force and artillery support. The TNLA has not yet released any information about the Hsipaw battle.
Myanmar’s military regime has launched a multi-pronged effort to retake towns in northern Shan State that were previously controlled by the TNLA, with a focus along the Mandalay-Muse road, a major trade route to China.
The military regime recaptured Nawnghkio on July 15 and Kyaukme on October 1.
“The military regime is trying to recapture Hsipaw after retaking Kyaukme. I don’t know if the military regime will attack Namtu after retaking Hsipaw. Hsipaw is in a position where it can be squeezed by both Kyaukme and Lashio, so I think it will be quite difficult for the TNLA,” said another source in northern Shan State.
The Ta’ang ethnic group in the areas controlled by the TNLA is considered to be a minority, and a lack of local support and the fact that some locals provide information to the military regime make it difficult for the TNLA to continue to control much of the territory it currently holds.
“The TNLA is in a situation where it can no longer withstand the military regime’s offensive alone,” said a military observer in northern Shan State. “The TNLA will also face Chinese pressure and political crises. To resolve this, the TNLA needs to cooperate with the allied [anti-regime] coalition. I think the TNLA will need to cooperate with other forces under the National Unity Government.”
In April, TNLA and military regime representatives met in Kunming, China, with the latter demanding the return of five towns, including Nawnghkio and Kayaukme, controlled by the TNLA.
When the TNLA and military regime met again in Kunming on August 27, the former discussed returning the towns of Kyaukme and Hsipaw, but the talks collapsed when the latter demanded the withdrawal of all towns captured during “Operation 1027”.
Of more than a dozen towns captured by the TNLA during Operation 1027, only Hsipaw, Namsang, Monglone, Momeik, Mantong, Namtu, Kutkai, Namkham, Mongngot and Mogok are currently under its control.
Along with its offensive to retake Hsipaw, the military regime continues to bomb several other TNLA-controlled areas from the air, resulting in rising civilian casualties.