Fighting erupts in northern Shan State as military pushes into southern Kachin State

The People’s Defence Force at the entry gate to Momeik Township in northern Shan State after seizing it, alongside the Ta'ang National Liberation Army, on July 31, 2024. (Credit: PDF)

Fighting between regime forces and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) broke out along the 47-mile (75 km) Momeik-Twinnge road on Oct. 8-9. Momeik Township is located 170 miles (273 km) west of the regional capital Lashio, and 185 miles (297 km) south of the KIA headquarters in Laiza.

Twinnge is a village located in Mandalay Region’s Thabeikkyin Township, which was seized by KIA allies in the People’s Defence Force (PDF) in August 2024 but was recaptured by regime forces on July 23, 2025.