Chin Brotherhood captures strategic Kennedy Hill and apprehends 32 Myanmar junta personnel

Mizzima

The Chin Brotherhood Alliance successfully recaptured the strategically vital military base on Kennedy Hill in Tedim Township on 4 January 2026, following a decisive 10-day offensive.

The operation resulted in the capture of 20 prisoners of war (POWs), including Major Kyaw Thu Htike of Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 87. Ten junta soldiers were killed in the fighting.

An addition 12 junta personnel were apprehended in Khonli village, Falam Township, bringing the total number of recently captured personnel to 32.

“They didn’t surrender voluntarily. They were captured during the heat of battle or while being pursued during their retreat. They will face action under the POW law,” the Chief of Staff of PDF-Zoland, a Tedim-based member of the Chin Brotherhood, told Mizzima.

During the battle to retake the strategically vital Kennedy Hill, ten junta soldiers were killed, and Major Kyaw Thu Htike from LIB 87 was captured alive. In the ongoing struggle for control of the 8,800-foot summit, Chin Brotherhood forces have now seized the hill for the third time following previous captures in November 2023 and 18 November 2025.

Salai Tin Mi Htut, spokesperson for the Chin National Defence Force (CNDF), which is also a member of the Chin Brotherhood, based in Falam added: “We will take action according to our POW law. For those who surrendered voluntarily, there are two potential paths: release or being sent back to their families after a monitoring period. These actions will be implemented once the military situation stabilizes.”

Citing prisoner testimonies, Salai Tin Mi Htut noted that two-thirds of the column consisted of forcibly recruited militia members who lacked the will to fight. Many expressed a desire to desert if given the chance, due to the harsh winter weather, food shortages, and internal oppression within the military.

It is reported that one comrade from CDF-CDM Siyin (a member of the Chinland Council) and two comrades from the Brotherhood’s own forces were killed during these battles.

While at least another 14 junta personnel have recently surrendered, Chin forces continue to track down others fleeing into the mountains. In retaliation, the junta carried out a drone strike on a neighbourhood in Tedim on 8 January, destroying two residential houses.

A PDF-Zoland official stated that the military situation is currently calm, and the Tedim-Thaingngin-Kalay Road has been reopened for public use.

According to military sources, clashes broke out near Khonli village in Falam Township on the morning of 9 January. The junta conducted four airstrikes and deployed a transport plane to airdrop 12 supply packages to its troops on the ground.