Sources close to the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)-run administration in Mogok Township, Mandalay Region, told DVB that the ethnic armed group will withdraw from the town famed for its lucrative ruby mines from Nov. 20-25, as part of the Chinese-brokered ceasefire agreement with the regime in Naypyidaw reached on Oct. 29.
“We learned that the TNLA is negotiating with the regime to let it open a liaison office after withdrawing from the town,” a TNLA source told DVB on the condition of anonymity, adding that no exit plan was shared with its allied resistance groups, including the People’s Defence Force (PDF).
DVB is awaiting confirmation from Lway Yay Oo, the TNLA spokesperson, about the proposed plan to keep a liaison office in Mogok.
Mogok residents and PDF members told DVB that they are concerned the TNLA might escort regime forces into the town. The PDF told DVB that it took over TNLA positions in Mogok and began recruiting “security” officers on Oct. 31.
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 ruby mining industry.
The TNLA also reportedly agreed to relinquish control of the neighboring town of Momeik in northern Shan State as a part of the ceasefire agreement with the regime. Momeik is located 28 miles (45 km) north of Mogok, and 170 miles (273 km) west of the regional capital Lashio.
Tar Bhone Kyaw, the TNLA general secretary, shared on social media that the TNLA signed the ceasefire deal to “recover strength” due to “many pressures” likely from Naypyidaw and Beijing. He added that he understood the anger and frustration allied resistance groups had toward the TNLA for its ceasefire deal, in a now-deleted post.
The TNLA stated on Oct. 31 that it had made “the difficult decision” to withdraw from the two towns it seized in July 2024, alongside its fellow Brotherhood Alliance members, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA), during “Operation 1027 launched on Oct. 27, 2023.
The regime recaptured Hsipaw, Kyaukme, and Nawngkhio townships from the TNLA on Oct. 17, Oct. 1, and July 16.
The TNLA still controls Namtu, Kutkai, Namhsan, Monglon, Manton, Mongngaw, Momeik and Namhkam townships in northern Shan.
The regime Union Election Commission (UEC) has announced that elections scheduled to begin on Dec. 28 — with polls to continue into January 2026 — will not be held in Mandalay’s Natogyi, Singu, and Mogok townships. Mandalay Region has a total of 28 townships.
