Military repairs Irrawaddy Bridge to secure route between Mandalay and Sagaing regions

The People’s Defence Force (PDF) told DVB that the military is repairing the Yadana Sinkha Bridge, also known as Irrawaddy Bridge, linking Mandalay Region’s Singu Township with Sagaing Region’s Kyaukmyaung Township to facilitate travel between the neighbouring regions.

“Regime forces have positions in Kyaukmyaung. When the bridge is fixed, they can move freely toward Mogok,” a PDF member in Mandalay Region told DVB on the condition of anonymity, referring to the ruby mining hub which was handed over by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) to regime forces on Nov. 29. Mogok is located 82 miles (132 km) northeast of Kyaukmyaung.

Regime forces regained control of the Yadana Sinkha bridge on Dec. 22, four days after recapturing Singu, located 58 miles (93 km) north of Mandalay, from the PDF on Dec. 18. The bridge was allegedly mined by the PDF on Oct. 29, the same day the regime and the TNLA signed its ceasefire which pledged to hand back control of Mogok, and Momeik Township in northern Shan State, to regime forces.