The Shan Nationalities Army (SNA) has regained control of nearly all downtown wards in Banmauk Town, northern Sagaing Region, which were previously jointly held by the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the People’s Defence Force (PDF).

“Except for parts of Aung Thar Kone Ward, the SNA has taken back control of all the other wards, and it has also captured the town’s hospital and the football field,” said a Banmauk resident.

The SNA captured Banmauk People's Hospital on the evening of January 31, gaining control of nearly the entire town.

All of Banmauk’s four wards, except for a small elevated area in Aung Thar Kone Ward, are now back under SNA control.

In late September 2025, under the guidance of the Military Region 1 Command of the resistance-led National Unity Government (NUG), the PDF and KIA attacked Banmauk and seized the town from the SNA, which maintains close ties with the junta.

After the KIA and PDF took control of the town, clashes occurred nearly every day within a three-mile radius.

Four months later, the SNA steadily gained the upper hand and took back control of almost all the downtown wards.

During the fighting, thousands of Banmauk residents fled to Homalin in Sagaing Region and Mandalay City, while others sought refuge in villages to the north and west of the town.