TNLA publicly defies China’s demand to return captured towns; junta responds with fresh airstrikes

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has publicly rejected pressure from China to relinquish control of territory seized from Myanmar’s junta, in stark contrast to other ethnic armed groups that have yielded to Beijing’s directives behind closed doors.

On Saturday, following a series of talks brokered by China in late April, the TNLA said the regime demanded the return of five key towns—Kyaukme, Nawnghkio, Mongmit, Mogok, and Hsipaw—captured by the group last year during the second phase of Operation 1027, an ongoing anti-junta offensive launched in late 2023. These towns are situated along crucial trade arteries linking central Myanmar to the Chinese border.