While the military junta claims it is seeking political solutions to Myanmar’s ongoing crisis and is proceeding with an election, intense fighting—including attacks on military bases and urban seizure battles—are occurring simultaneously.
Since the morning of January 7th, fierce clashes have been taking place near the Yangon–Pyay highway in Minhla Township, western Bago Region.
In addition, on January 6th, a four-vehicle convoy accompanying officials from the Union Election Commission (UEC) headquarters in Naypyidaw and Magway Region was attacked on the Myothit–Kanbya road in Magway Region. The officials, which included U Aung Lwin Oo, were traveling to hold discussions and preparations for Phase Two of the election.
According to a statement released by the Naypyidaw Regional Military Command on January 7th, three vehicles were overturned and destroyed during the attack, while one vehicle managed to escape. Two G3 rifles and some ammunition were seized.
“This clearly shows that this is not the time to hold an election,” a political analyst commented. “If we look at groups like the KNU and KIA, major ethnic armed organizations, they have already clearly and carefully stated in advance that they do not accept the election, but that they would not act in this manner. This could also be a way for them to preemptively avoid certain pressures. However, PDFs are not under anyone’s direct control, so they will continue to attack the military. At the same time, we must also be cautious and consider whether such actions could be used by the military to appeal to the international community.”
According to the military’s plan, the period from December 28th to January 25th all three phases of the election are to be held.
On December 28th, 2025, the date of Phase One of the election, urban seizure battles were launched in Katha Town, Sagaing Region, by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), the Kachin People’s Defense Force (KPDF), the All Burma Students’ Democratic Front (ABSDF), and local PDF units.
On January 4th, KIA spokesperson Colonel Naw Bu confirmed that most military bases at the entrances to Katha Town had been seized and that resistance forces had already penetrated into the town.
Katha Town is included in the Phase One election area designated by the military.
“A China-backed election has become a desperate political exit strategy for the military,” a military and political analyst pointed out. “This is because the civil war and revolution currently unfolding in Myanmar are unlike those of the past—they are nationwide in scale. Under such unstable conditions, it is impossible to hold an election, let alone a successful one. This is not a good time. However, the military is in urgent need of a political exit. Therefore, even after this election, if not full-scale urban seizure battles, attacks and seizures of military bases will continue.”
Beyond Katha, fighting in the KIA’s campaign to seize Bhamo Town has also intensified again. At the same time, clashes are occurring alongside the election in Rakhine State, Chin State, and Tanintharyi Region.
In Sagaing Region’s Monywa District, local defense forces also attacked and seized three military bases in Budalin Town on December 28th.
Meanwhile, as resistance forces continue to attack the military, junta forces have been carrying out airstrikes against civilians.
Between December 28th and January 7th, airstrikes on camps housing internally displaced people, and schools in Thandwe Town in Rakhine State, as well as Khin-U and Wetlet townships in Sagaing Region, killed more than 20 civilians, including children and women.
Despite the ongoing fighting, airstrikes, and violence is occurring simultaneously with the staggered election cycle. Junta leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, continues to claim that the elections are being conducted freely, fairly, and successfully.
