Heavy fighting erupted in Kyaukme town, northern Shan State, early in the morning of 30 September, with gunfire, explosions, and drone activity reported throughout the day. Several government buildings have caught fire, according to local residents.

“We can hear gunfire throughout the town, and many places are burning,” said a Kyaukme resident on Monday.

By the afternoon, the situation had escalated with reports of continuous shelling from heavy weapons and drones. As of the evening of 30 September, key infrastructure including the Kyaukme police station, forest department office, and the office of the Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) remained engulfed in flames.

“The town is unstable. I don’t see many TNLA members. I can’t open my shop at the market today and am staying home for fear of being caught in the fighting between the two sides,” said another local resident. 

Mizzima attempted to contact Lway Yay Oo, spokesperson for the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), for comment on the current clashes, but she had not responded as of publication time.

However, in a statement made on 29 September, Lway Yay Oo told Mizzima that junta forces had launched an offensive starting 27 September and had reached within four miles of Kyaukme, which has been under TNLA control since early July 2024. She confirmed that TNLA units remain stationed in the town.

The renewed fighting and military airstrikes have displaced approximately 10,000 people in Kyaukme, though some residents remain in the conflict zone.

Kyaukme was captured by TNLA and allied forces during Operation 1027 (Part 2) earlier this year. As of 30 September, the town appears to be on the verge of falling back under junta control.