The junta, attempting to retake Mogok Town in Mandalay Region from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), is using a series of airstrikes to surpass the TNLA’s defenses.

On August 25, around 11:00 pm, a civilian was injured when junta aircraft dropped bombs near the Gurkha temple in Sipinthar Ward, east of Mogok Town.

“Bombs were dropped in Sinpinthar Ward, east of the town, and we heard that one person was injured,” said a Mogok resident.

The TNLA and allied groups have controlled Mogok Town since July 2024. A year later, in July 2025, the junta intensified its efforts to retake the town, launching a major offensive with substantial forces.

The junta recaptured the TNLA-held Naungcho (Nawnghkio) Town in northern Shan State on July 15, following a large-scale offensive involving both ground forces and air strikes.

According to a resistance source in the region, the junta is also attempting to retake Mogok, situated on the edge of Mandalay Region along the border with Shan State.

“The junta took Naungcho and then went after Mogok, but Mogok isn’t going to be an easy win,” he told Shan Herald.

The TNLA announced on August 26 that junta airstrikes in Mogok in August killed 18 men, 17 women, 2 young novices, and 4 children, a total of 41 people, and injured 24 others.

On August 12, coup junta leader Min Aung Hlaing urged the regime forces to reclaim as many towns as possible from resistance groups and ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) ahead of the election.

The junta has announced that the election will be held in phases. According to the junta-controlled Union Election Commission (UEC), the first phase of voting, scheduled for December 28, will include the Shan State’s cities and towns of Pindaya, Naungcho, Hopong, Kyaingtong (Kengtung), Tachileik, Taunggyi, Muse, Namhsan, Mong Hsat, Lashio, Linkhay (Langkho), and Loilem.