The junta has seized two villages in Hsengtaung (Seikmu) Village Tract, Hpakant Township, Kachin State, following a major troop deployment.

The junta stormed and captured Mhawtaung and Sankywei villages, formerly held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA).

Since early September, the junta has been simultaneously attacking Mhawtaung and Sankywei villages in Hsengtaung Village Tract and Sharaw Hka Village in Ayemyatharyar Village Tract, while also targeting them with artillery and drone strikes.

On September 17, the KIA withdrew from Mhawtaung and Sankywei and junta troops took up positions in those villages, a Hpakant resident confirmed to KNG.

“The junta has been attacking Sharaw Hka, Mhawtaung, and Sankywei villages at the same time, using drones and artillery. The KIA has now been forced to give up Mhawtaung and Sankywei. The junta still hasn’t been able to capture Sharaw Hka and Nyaungpinkone. In Mhawtaung and Sankywei, junta troops have gone into village homes and set up positions there,” he said.

Outposts of the KIA and allied resistance forces near Mhawtaung and Sankywei villages were unable to stop the advancing junta troops, who were supported by heavy drone strikes and artillery fire, and were eventually forced to retreat.

There is a possibility that junta troops will escalate their attacks on Sharaw Hka and Nyaungpinkone villages, which lie north of Mhawtaung and Sankywei.

In August, junta troops seized villages in Lone Khin (Lawng Hkang) Village Tract along the Kamaing-Namya Road, a key logistics hub in Hpakant Township, before launching the offensive on Hsengtaung Village Tract.

Hpakant Township residents suggested that the junta is likely trying to secure Hpakant Town, Lone Khin Village Tract, and Hsengtaung Village Tract, the key points essential for controlling the township, ahead of the election it will oversee at the end of the year.

To retake the strategically important Hsengtaung Village Tract, the junta heavily bombarded the area with artillery throughout September. For the ground offensive, it deployed not only troops stationed in Hpakant Town but also reinforcements brought in from Mogaung Town in Kachin State.

Until September 15, the junta had been heavily bombarding Mhawtaung and Sankywei villages with artillery before launching a ground assault, sparking intense fighting with the KIA that lasted until September 17.

The junta’s offensive killed two villagers, one each from Sai Jar Bum and Mana villages, and injured two displaced individuals in Sharaw Hka Village.

In Sharaw Hka, the junta has so far been unable to make further gains due to fierce resistance from the KIA and allied groups, military analysts in Hpakant Township said.

The junta has been conducting operations in Hpakant Township for over four months, aiming to retake all areas lost to the KIA by November.

The entire Hsengtaung Village Tract, including Mhawtaung and Sankywei villages, was captured by the KIA-led resistance coalition in April 2024.