Full Control of Strategic Route: Mandalay-Thabeikkyin-Mogok Route fully controlled

Military columns successfully regained full control of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok communication route on January 19, after it had been temporarily occupied by combined groups of PDF terrorists.

Effective as of January 20, local residents and travelers can once again journey along the Mandalay-Thabeikkyin-Mogok road with peace of mind, allowing regional trade and the flow of goods to resume as normal. The report states that the NUG terrorist group attempted to realize a "military dream" of capturing Mandalay.

Starting June 25, 2024, they launched the "Shan-Man Operation," utilizing youths and defectors recruited through incentives from the Mandalay, Sagaing, and Meiktila plains. These MDY-PDF groups, in collaboration with certain ethnic armed organizations, carried out mass attacks along the Mogok-Thabeikkyin-Madaya-Mandalay route, targeting security forces at state and private factories and military outposts.

In response, security forces conducted Counter-Terrorism Operations with synchronized land and air support. The military successfully reclaimed occupied areas in a series of strategic victories including Thabeikkyin Region Reclaimed on July 23, 2025, Alpha Cement Factory and Phayaung Taung Area (Madaya) on August 28, Sedawgyi reservoir and surroundings on November 25, Singu Area on December 19, Ayeyarwady Bridge (Yadanar Theinga ) on December 22, after clearing mines planted by terrorists.

The momentum continued into late 2025 and early 2026. By utilizing information provided by local citizens and PDF members who had surrendered to the legal fold, the military intensified security operations. The Mandalay-Madaya-Singu-Thabeikkyin road was secured on December 31.

This was followed by the reclamation of local battalion headquarters and the Sein Kone village area on January 14, 2026, and Kin Village on January 15. To secure the final remaining sections of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok route, military columns advanced from two directions. The column from Kin Village reached its target near Ma Le Pauk  Village on January 19 and secured the village itself on January 20. The column from Ohn Dan Village captured Aung Badan Village (Jan 17), Sein Inn Village (Jan 18), and Shwe Nyaung Pin Village (Jan 19).

On January 20, 2026, these columns linked up at Ma Le Pauk Village, marking the total reclamation of the Thabeikkyin-Mogok communication route. As the road reopened, local residents who had suffered under the forced rule of the insurgents lined the streets to welcome the arriving military columns.

In a display of unity, the public greeted the soldiers with "Aung Thabyay" flowers, garlands, and traditional music and dancing. The Tatmadaw, in coordination with relevant officials, will now begin reconstruction efforts for roads, bridges, departmental buildings, homes, and schools destroyed by terrorists. Security forces will continue to work alongside local people to maintain regional stability, ensure safe travel, and foster the socio-economic development of the area.