The Myanmar military junta has launched a four-column ground offensive from Shwegu toward Sinkhan in lower Kachin State, engaging in fierce running battles with Kachin resistance forces as it attempts to force a supply corridor up to Bhamo.
According to military sources, the regime has deployed approximately 800 troops in total across the push—three columns of roughly 200 soldiers each advancing along the eastern bank's Shwegu-Sinkhan highway, alongside a fourth column moving down the western bank from the Thinbaw Inn area.
Joint forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and the Kachin Region People’s Defense Force (KPDF) are heavily contesting the advance along the rugged Tawlan and Zinbon mountain ranges. Recent engagements have included KPDF drone strikes targeting junta reinforcements crossing the Ayeyarwady River by motorboat.
The coordinated offensive is designed to clear ground resistance ahead of a heavily guarded regime flotilla. Transporting troops, heavy weapons, and ammunition, the convoy has already departed Katha.
It is pushing up the Ayeyarwady River toward Bhamo, facing continuous interceptive attacks by revolutionary coalitions along the waterway.
Sinkhan remains a vital strategic bottleneck between Shwegu and Bhamo.
Analysts note that unless the junta successfully breaks the KIA's chokehold along both the riverbanks and the highway, its attempts to reinforce northern garrisons will remain critically exposed.
