The People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Mandalay Region told DVB on Friday that it took over positions in Mogok Township on Thursday after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) withdrew following its ceasefire agreement reached with the regime in Naypyidaw at the behest of China announced on Oct. 29.
Mogok, 124 miles (200 km) north of Mandalay, is a major source of revenue for both the regime and ethnic armed groups due to its lucrative ruby mining industry.
“We will do our best to defend the town. We started this revolution with no weapons at all. We are united with other revolutionary forces to defend Mogok. Our blood has not cooled,” a PDF leader in Myingyan Township told DVB. Myingyan is 198 miles (318 km) south of Mogok, which was seized by the TNLA in July 2024.
The TNLA stated on Friday that it had made “the difficult decision” to withdraw from Mandalay’s Mogok, as well as the neighboring town of Momeik in northern Shan State, as part of its Chinese-brokered ceasefire signed in Kunming. Momeik is located 28 miles (45 km) north of Mogok.
As a part of the ceasefire, the regime has agreed to halt all airstrikes and counteroffensives on TNLA-controlled territories. The TNLA has yet to leave Momeik and fighting continues with regime forces, according to residents in northern Shan.
During previous talks with the regime, the TNLA refused to hand over towns that it had seized during its offensive launched alongside the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA) on Oct. 27, 2023 called “Operation 1027.”
Regime forces have retaken control of Hispaw, Kyaukme, and Nawngkhio townships from the TNLA in northern Shan since July 16.
The TNLA controls of Manton, Namtu, Kutkai, Namhsan, Monglon, Namhkam and Mongngaw townships in northern Shan.
Ethnic armed groups such as the TNLA, along with its allies in the PDF have seized 103 towns in Myanmar since the uprising to the 2021 military coup began.
At least 10 towns have been recaptured by regime forces in recent counteroffensives, according to DVB data.
The PDF in Mandalay stated on Friday that it will continue to defend territory conceded by the TNLA to the regime.
The National Unity Government (NUG), formed by ousted lawmakers after the 2021 military coup, oversees the command structure of many PDF units fighting alongside ethnic armed groups.
It declined to respond to a DVB request for comment.
