Tatmadaw restores Thabeikkyin-Mogok route; Travel resumes

THE Tatmadaw troops were able to fully regain control of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok communica­tion route, which had been tempo­rarily controlled by so-called PDF insurgent groups, on 19 January. As a result, from today onwards, locals and travellers can freely and safely move along the Man­dalay-Thabeikkyin-Mogok route, and regional trade and transpor­tation activities can now be con­ducted smoothly and normally.

The NUG-affiliated insur­gent groups had recruited young people from Mandalay, Sagaing, and Meiktila plains and DCS per­sonnel who had betrayed their duties, providing them with insurgent training to produce fighters under the PDF name since 25 June 2024. They collect­ed unlawful forces, encouraged support, and collaborated with some ethnic armed organizations to capture Mandalay. Operating under the “Shan-Mann military campaign,” they carried out in­surgent activities along the Mog­ok-Thabeikkyin-Madaya-Man­dalay route and targeted towns, villages, government and private factories, and security posts, si­multaneously coordinating with military operations in Kachin State and northern Shan State, seeking to reach Mandalay.

Due to the overwhelming strength of these insurgents, se­curity forces had to implement counter-terrorism operations (CTOs) across the region. Troops coordinated ground and air intel­ligence, acting courageously to prevent insurgents from taking full control of towns, villages, factories, and workplaces. As a result, the Thabeikkyin area, un­der temporary insurgent control, was fully secured on 23 July 2025; the Alpha cement factory and surrounding areas on 28 August; the Setawgyi dam and surround­ing areas on 25 November; the Sin Kuu area on 19 December; and the Ayeyawady bridge (Ya­dana Theinga) on 22 December. These operations successfully dismantled the insurgents’ mil­itary ambitions.

During the time insurgents held these areas, they carried out attacks by constructing bunkers around religious build­ings, schools, administrative of­fices, hospitals, and residential homes, planting landmines on public routes, sabotaging govern­ment-owned factories and private workplaces, misusing industrial products for personal gain, and using residents as human shields to attack security forces. These actions caused severe disrup­tions to local economic, social, health, and educational activities.

By gradually regaining con­trol of the insurgent-held areas, the Tatmadaw earned the trust and support of residents, while insurgent groups lost public back­ing. Some PDF members, realiz­ing the futility of their actions and unable to accept internal leader­ship disputes, began cooperating with nearby Tatmadaw units, en­tering the legal fold together with weapons.

Tatmadaw forces have systematically combined intel­ligence reports from locals and PDF defectors to clear territories along the Mandalay-Madaya-Sin­gu-Thabeikkyin corridor. The route was progressively secured: on 31 December, the Manda­lay-Madaya-Singu-Thabeikkyin route; on 14 January, a local bat­talion and Seingon village along the Thabeikkyin-Mogok route; and on 15 January, the Kin village and the enemy’s military camp areas were brought under full control.

Remaining stretches of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok route were cleared and secured by Tatmad­aw columns: from Kin village, troops advanced on 19 January to the target area near Malep­auk village and on 20 January to Malepauk village itself; from On­dan village, troops secured Aung Bardan on 17 January, Seinein on 18 January, and Shwenyaungpin on 19 January. On 20 January, all Tatmadaw units coordinated at Malepauk village, fully regaining control of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok communication route and reo­pening it for public use.

Tatmadaw troops continued efforts to maintain peace and se­curity across the Mandalay-Sin­gu-Madaya-Thabeikkyin-Mogok region, allowing civilians to travel safely and freely. Armed clashes occurred with insurgent groups during operations, and some Tat­madaw members sacrificed their lives for the nation, while others sustained injuries.

With the communication routes fully restored, vehicular traffic can now operate normally, and the movement of goods and trade within the region can pro­ceed efficiently. Residents can resume educational, healthcare, and socioeconomic activities, strengthening their livelihoods.

Local people, grateful and supportive of the Tatmadaw, welcomed the returning troops along the routes with flowers, drums, and traditional celebra­tory displays, creating a scene of unity between the Tatmadaw and civilians. Tatmadaw forces will continue restoration efforts, repairing roads, administrative buildings, homes, and schools damaged by insurgent actions. They will cooperate with rele­vant authorities to ensure smooth trade, safe travel, and strength­ened security and governance throughout the region. — MNA/ KZL