People’s Defense Force takes over Mogok after Ta’ang National Liberation Army withdrawal

The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB on Friday that it took over positions in Mogok Township on Thursday after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) withdrew following its ceasefire agreement reached with the regime in Naypyidaw at the behest of China announced on Oct. 29.

Mogok, 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, is a major source of revenue for both the regime and ethnic armed groups due to its lucrative ruby mining industry. 

“We will do our best to defend the town. We started this revolution with no weapons at all. We are united with other revolutionary forces to defend Mogok. Our blood has not cooled,” a PDF leader in Myingyan Township told DVB. Myingyan is 198 miles (318 km) south of Mogok, which was seized by the TNLA in July 2024. 

The TNLA stated on Friday that it had made “the difficult decision” to withdraw from Mandalay’s Mogok, as well as the neighboring town of Momeik in northern Shan State, as part of its Chinese-brokered ceasefire signed in Kunming. Momeik is located 28 miles (45 km) north of Mogok.