Junta launches second offensive in southern Chin State

By Admin 18 Jul 2026

DMG Newsroom

18 July 2026, Mindat, Chin State

The junta has launched a second major offensive, deploying around 1,000 troops toward Mindat and Kanpetlet townships in southern Chin State, an area bordering Magway Region controlled by the Chin People’s Union/Chin People’s Army (CPU/CPA).

A military source on the ground told DMG that troops from Light Infantry Division 77 and Light Infantry Division 99 have split into two columns advancing from Weapons Factory No. 24 in Pauk Township, Magway Region, and Weapons Factory No. 25 in Laungshay.

"The regime has reinforced its positions with around 1,000 troops in recent days for this second offensive. About 500 troops have advanced from Weapons Factory No. 24 toward Mindat, while another 500 have moved from Weapons Factory No. 25 toward Kanpetlet," the military source said.

The junta launched its first offensive against Mindat and Kanpetlet townships in the third week of May. However, the Chin People’s Army and allied resistance forces repelled the offensive, forcing junta troops to retreat after suffering heavy casualties.

"After the regime's first offensive was repelled and its columns were broken up, it regrouped its troops at Weapons Factory No. 24 and Weapons Factory No. 25 in Magway Region before launching this latest offensive," the military source added.

The junta is now advancing with heavily reinforced ground columns supported by additional personnel, weapons and ammunition. One column is moving from Saw toward Kanpetlet, while another is advancing toward Mindat via Kangyi Village in Saw Township.

Sources familiar with the situation said the advancing columns are using reconnaissance drones and aerial surveillance to support their operations.

Although the junta has made little ground progress, it has continued daily airstrikes on Mindat and Kanpetlet townships, causing extensive damage to civilian homes and property, according to local residents.

"Because the junta troops are stalled halfway and cannot advance further, they are using fleets of aircraft to drop hundreds of bombs every day on displacement camps and urban wards across Mindat and Kanpetlet townships. There isn't a single day without bombings," a resident familiar with the situation said.

Another resident from Saw said the junta has also reinforced its positions in Saw and Kyaukhtu, indicating its determination to continue the offensive in southern Chin State.

"The regime is continuously reinforcing Artillery Battalion 368 in Kyaukhtu and its positions in Saw. From there, it is sending steady streams of reinforcements and weapons into southern Chin State for this second offensive. Due to these military movements, thousands of civilians in Saw have also been forced to flee," the resident said.

CPU/CPA spokesperson Salai Yaw Mang previously said that despite repeated junta offensives in southern Chin State, revolutionary alliance forces have continued to hold their defensive positions.

Analysts said the fighting in southern Chin State carries significant military and political importance for the Chin resistance. They noted that after regaining control of northern Chin State, the junta is expected to continue its offensives in the south.

Observers also said the fighting is strategically important for the Arakan Army because southern Chin State serves as a gateway to Arakan State.

"These battles in Mindat and Kanpetlet are vital for the Chin resistance forces. The junta has already regained control of northern Chin State, including Tonzang, Tedim, Falam, Hakha and Thantlang. It is now pushing south, but I believe it has been unable to break through because the Arakan Army has also reinforced this front," a politician monitoring development in Chin State said.

Of Chin State's nine townships, the junta currently controls five in the north and is attempting to capture the remaining four in the south.

Among the four southern townships, Paletwa is controlled by the Arakan Army, while Matupi, Mindat and Kanpetlet are held by the Chin Brotherhood or the CPU/CPA.

The source said Mindat and Kanpetlet are strategically important because they link southern Chin State with Matupi, Paletwa and Kyauktaw in Arakan State via the Asian Highway. The Arakan Army is fighting alongside allied resistance forces in the area.

Defensive operations are being carried out by the Chin People’s Army, the Arakan Army, the Yaw Army and other resistance groups based in Magway Region.