The Myanmar military has regained control of Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, a critical logistics hub that connects to the regime’s northern strongholds in neighbouring Kachin State.
Regime forces re-entered the town on Thursday following a massive, seven-day counteroffensive that began on April 24.
Regime media reported that military columns recovered the bodies of 33 People’s Defense Force (PDF) members along with caches of weapons during the operation.
The recapture ends a year-long occupation by resistance forces. The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and allied PDF fighters originally seized Indaw on April 7, 2025.
A ‘vital’ logistics artery
Indaw, located roughly 209 miles north of the Sagaing Region capital of Monywa, sits at a crucial road and rail junction.
Zin Yaw, a former soldier who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) after the 2021 coup, told DVB that Indaw serves as a “vital” supply artery connecting to Kachin State towns like Mohnyin, Mogaung, and Myitkyina—the latter being the headquarters of the regime’s Northern Regional Military Command (RMC).
The push to retake Indaw appears to be part of a broader, coordinated effort by regime forces to secure its northern supply lines.
The military recently recaptured Tagaung in Mandalay Region’s Thabeikkyin Township on March 12, followed by Sagaing’s Tigyaing Township on March 26.
To retake Indaw, the regime launched three separate military columns originating from Tigyaing, Katha, and Tagaung.
On April 29, PDF sources confirmed to DVB that regime forces had already secured the main road leading into Indaw and captured Nabar village, just four miles east of the town.
Civilians flee amid conflicting claims
As the military moves to consolidate control, the humanitarian situation on the ground remains dire. An Indaw resident told DVB that locals are currently on the run, having fled the clashes between regime and resistance forces.
Meanwhile, a war of narratives has emerged over the town’s condition. Regime media reported that the military is currently conducting landmine clearance operations, accusing the PDF of displacing residents and constructing bunkers inside schools, hospitals, religious buildings, and administrative offices.
Pro-military outlets further claimed that resistance forces fled the town on April 30 without putting up a significant fight, accusing PDF members of looting civilian homes before their retreat.
Independent verification of casualty numbers and property damage remains difficult as residents have not yet returned to their homes.
