Junta column of around 200 troops suffers heavy casualties near Nat Yay Kan

By Admin 18 Aug 2026

DMG Newsroom        

18 August 2026, Ngaphe, Magway Region

A junta column of around 200 troops advancing toward the Nat Yay Kan tactical base, the military's last remaining stronghold along the Ann-Padan Road, retreated with heavy casualties after being intercepted by the Arakan Army, according to a ground military source.

The column, dispatched to reinforce Nat Yay Kan, was ambushed by the Arakan Army near Gotegyi Village on August 16, triggering intense clashes.

Nearly 50 junta personnel were killed and many others injured in the attack, while weapons and ammunition were seized by the Arakan Army, a military source said.

"This column was attempting to reinforce Nat Yay Kan under cover of air support. They were intercepted as they moved out from Gotegyi Village toward the Nat Yay Kan base, suffering heavy losses before retreating back into Gotegyi Village," the source said.

Following the attack on its column, the military junta launched heavy airstrikes along the road section between Gotegyi Village and Nat Yay Kan.

On August 17, junta forces evacuated wounded soldiers from Gotegyi Village to Artillery Battalion 905 based in Padan.

Military sources noted that the regime has been attempting to reinforce Nat Yay Kan since July using troops drawn from units under the Monywa-based Northwestern Command.

"The battle for Nat Yay Kan has lasted for over a year and a half, underscoring its strategic importance to both sides. For the junta, maintaining the base is critical to protecting Magway Region, defense industry factories, and air defense assets. For the Arakan Army, controlling this road section is crucial to blocking access to Arakan State. Consequently, both sides are deploying maximum force in a desperate effort to secure the Nat Yay Kan tactical base," a local military observer said.

The military junta is defending the Nat Yay Kan tactical base using rotating forces drawn from Light Infantry Divisions 77 and 99, Military Operations Commands 10, 14 and 17, units under the Northwestern Command, and militia forces.

Since early 2025, the Arakan Army and allied forces have captured outpost positions around the main Nat Yay Kan hilltop base and maintained a siege on the stronghold.

The regime continues attempting to prevent the base from falling through ground operations, airstrikes and heavy artillery support, but its advancing columns have suffered heavy casualties in counterattacks by the Arakan Army and its allies.