The junta-aligned Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) has captured Mongnawng and Mamonkaing villages in the Indawgyi region of Mohnyin Township, Kachin State.
The two villages had been under the control of the Kachin People's Defence Force (Kachin PDF), an ally of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), since 2024. However, on 15 July 2025, SNA White Tiger military columns advanced into the villages and established positions there.
Fighting between the PDF-KIA coalition and the SNA started at about 1:00 am on 15 July near Sinkhaung Hill, between the villages of Nammun and Mongnawng. The fighting quickly escalated and by midday the SNA had gained control of Mongnawng and Mamonkaing villages.
A resident of Mongnawng Village said: “Since the fighting started, the SNA has been swiftly taking over Kachin PDF-held areas. It has even captured our village now. Its troops have also reached Mamonkaing, and the PDF has pulled back into the forests. So, both Mongnawng and Mamonkaing are now in SNA hands.”
During the fighting on 15 July, Mongnawng Village was hit by artillery fire that injured a villager in their leg and burned down several houses.
At the height of the fighting, residents of the two villages fled to Mamonkaing Monastery and other safer areas nearby. Since the evening of 15 July the situation has calmed down.
The aforementioned resident of Mongnawng Village said: “Now the situation is quiet again. Some houses in Sin Phyu Kone and Bo Tae wards in Mongnawng Village were hit by artillery and burned down. Most of the villagers are taking refuge at Mamonkaing Monastery.
Locals who fled their homes have been starting to return since the morning of 16 July.
On 15 July the junta also closed the Nammun to Hopin to Indawgyi Road, a major access route into the Indawgyi region, an area that includes Indawgyi Lake, the largest lake in Myanmar.
Since 2024 the Kachin PDF has controlled vast areas east of Indawgyi Lake which includes the villages of Mongnawng and Mamonkaing which are now under the control of the junta-allied SNA.
