Reopening Important Routes: Regaining control of Mandalay-Myitkyina route

The Tatmadaw has been carrying out national defense and security duties to ensure the stability and peace of the country, the fundamental basis for national development.

In areas where terrorist insurgents have temporarily seized control and are committing terrorist acts, the military has been progressively recapturing towns and villages through counter-terrorism operations and has been reopening important communication routes for the public.

On May 6th, the Tatmadaw has been able to fully control and reopen the Mandalay-Madaya-ThaBeikKyin-Tagaung-HtiChaint-Katha-Indaw-Mawlu-Nan Si Aung-Mohnyin-Mogaung-Myitkyina communication route, which will lead to the socio-economic revival and development of local ethnic people.

This communication route connecting Mandalay to Myitkyina is a fundamental infrastructure asset for the development of the northern area of the country. Using this route facilitates easier and faster travel for travelers and local residents, accelerates the flow of goods, improves economic opportunities, and reduces transportation costs due to faster delivery, allowing local residents to purchase goods at more affordable prices while also strengthening regional connectivity.

The allied groups of PDF-labeled terrorist insurgents, for their own economic gain, temporarily seized control of certain towns, villages, and areas, committing terrorist acts and blocking this important communication route. This obstruction caused difficulties in freight transport and the flow of goods, leading to shortages of food and daily necessities, interrupted supply of medicine and emergency supplies, shortages of raw materials for businesses, and prevented finished goods from reaching markets.

Consequently, the daily socio-economic lives of local people declined drastically, and they also bitterly suffered under the oppressive persecution of the insurgents, forcing many to flee their hometowns and villages. To reopen this communication route, Tatmadaw columns made systematic preparations and coordinated logistical support.

Using balanced military tactics, they progressively recaptured and secured towns and villages that had been temporarily controlled by terrorist insurgents. Key operations included: recapturing the Mandalay-Madaya-Singu-ThaBeikKyin road section on December 19; recapturing the Mandalay-Madaya-ThaBeikKyin -Tagaung road section on March 12; recapturing the Tagaung-HtiChaint route on March 25; recapturing the HtiChaint -Katha route on April 16; and recapturing Indaw Township on April 30.

After painstakingly fighting to regain control of the communication route from Mandalay to Indaw step by step, they recaptured Mawlu Town on May 5. On May 6, Tatmadaw columns conducting area security operations in Nan Si Aung Village, Mohnyin Township, Kachin State, were able to reconnect and collaborate with other columns, carrying out area security operations.

As a result, the Mandalay-Madaya-ThaBeikKyin -Tagaung-HtiChaint-Katha-Indaw-Mawlu-Nan Si Aung-Mohnyin-Mogaung-Myitkyina communication route has been reopened, allowing passenger and cargo vehicles to travel normally once again. To reopen this communication route, Tatmadaw columns, with the participation of the public, fought through tactical, phased operations to regain control and secure the areas.

The military campaign lasted over one year and three months, during which a total of 322 major and minor engagements with terrorist insurgents occurred. From the enemy, security forces recovered 138 bodies, 332 assorted weapons, ammunition, and related materials. Some military officers and ranks made the supreme sacrifice, nobly giving their lives for the state and the Tatmadaw.

Now that the Tatmadaw has been able to recapture and reopen the towns, villages, and communication routes that had been temporarily controlled by terrorist insurgents, vehicles can once again travel normally, and regional goods flows, trade, and commerce can be conducted easily and quickly.

The socio-economic lives of the people, including education and healthcare, are set to recover and develop. For this reason, the public feels great pride, joy, and gratitude toward the Tatmadaw. Local residents from townships and villages along the route have warmly and joyfully welcomed the victorious Tatmadaw personnel who have fought tirelessly day and night with courage and sacrifice to bring stability to the Region with victory flowers and commemorative garlands.

These scenes reflect the local people's own perception and experience of the essence of peace, expressed through their joyful and proud welcome. It is further reported that Tatmadaw columns are undertaking necessary area control operations in those regions and are cooperating with relevant responsible officials to assist in the rebuilding and repair of departmental buildings destroyed by the insurgents, as well as homes of local residents, schools, roads, and bridges.