The junta and its allied militia, the Pa-O National Organisation (PNO), have launched a joint offensive against the Kadugyi region of Mawkmai Township in southern Shan State, where the Pa-O National Liberation Army (PNLA) headquarters is based.

On January 1, the junta–PNO coalition began infiltrating forested areas where the PNLA is mainly active from Honam Village in Mawkmai Township, triggering clashes, according to PNLA spokesperson Khun Rein Yan.

As of January 5, fighting was ongoing, with junta and PNO troops firing indiscriminately from the west bank of the Pun Stream toward the east bank.

“Two artillery shells fired from the west bank of the Pun Stream landed in locals’ yards on the east bank. Fortunately, no one was injured, as the villagers were on their way to their terrace farming areas at the time,” said Khun Rein Yan.

The PNLA said that when fighting began on January 1, 7 junta–PNO troops were killed and 12 wounded. The PNLA also said it successfully rescued two villagers who had been abducted by junta–PNO forces and used as human shields.

In Kadugyi, not only the PNLA but also the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) is active.

The PNLA has received reports that the junta and PNO intend to advance through Kadugyi, where the PNLA headquarters is located, to Shadaw Township in Karenni State, Khun Rein Yan added.

“When the regime soldiers tried to get the locals to support their operation, they told them they planned to advance as far as Shadaw. They also promised that if they took control of all of Kadugyi, they would cross the Than Lwin (Salween) River and build a road leading to the Thai border,” he said.

PNO propaganda accounts and channels are also spreading the message that once Kadugyi is captured, the junta–PNO coalition will push on toward Shadaw and the Thai border.

A source familiar with the area’s geography noted that east of Kadugyi, after crossing the Than Lwin River, there is an old road used by cattle herders that could potentially be upgraded into a new road.

“There used to be a road on the east bank of the Than Lwin River that cattle herders used. Maybe the junta soldiers meant they’d clear it to make it usable again, but now it’s completely overgrown and has basically disappeared,” he said.

In January 2024, the PNLA and Karenni resistance groups briefly seized parts of Hsihseng Town in southern Shan State, including the junta’s Infantry Battalion 424 (IB 424) base. However, a large-scale counteroffensive by the junta and PNO forced the PNLA and Karenni forces to retreat in March 2024.