A massive, coordinated offensive by joint resistance forces has expanded into 26 townships across the eastern and western districts of Bago Region, according to high-level military sources.
The operation, which began in early January 2026, has seen six consecutive days of intense clashes that have fundamentally shifted the frontline, forcing the Military Commission to yield significant ground.
The conflict is currently centred along three critical axes: the primary Yangon–Pyay highway, the historic old Yangon–Mandalay Road leading toward the administrative capital of Naypyidaw, and the strategically sensitive border region between Rakhine and Bago.
This escalation is part of a broader campaign orchestrated by the National Unity Government (NUG) known as the ‘Sittaung River Valley Victory Operation,’ which falls under the direct command of the Bago Region Military Command of the People’s Defense Force’s Military Region 2.
Ko Aung Hein, Acting Battalion Commander of the Royal Peacock Battalion (P-29913) under Division 26, told Mizzima that fighting intensified from 9 to 15 January, ahead of the Military Commission’s planned election Phase 2.
“The fighting intensified from 9 January, mainly toward Tawkyweinn Town. Military checkpoints are positioned around Penwegon. A total of 14 coordinated attacks were carried out, and we have confirmed that an additional 26 attacks took place as of 16 January,” he said.
According to geographical assessments, clashes have occurred in Phyu, Kanyutkwin, Penwegon, Kyaukdaga, Nyaung Chay Htauk, Nyaung Lay Pin, Oktwin, Nattalin, Zeegon, Minhla, and Htantabin townships in western Bago Region. In addition, People’s Defense Force units along the Yangon–Pyay Road, together with local defense forces and People’s Defense Organizations, are operating in coordination. On the Rakhine–Bago border, the Arakan Army (AA) is leading joint resistance forces in Padaung Township.
The Battle of Tawkyweinn: A Strategically Significant Conflict
Since 9 January, the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and its allied forces have been conducting an urban capture offensive in Tawkyweinn. This strategic operation is centred between Kanyutkwinn, where Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 439 is based, and Penwegon, the site of Light Infantry Battalion 307.
On the morning of 9 January, the People’s Defense Force (PDF) launched coordinated attacks on a total of 14 military outposts. These targets included Tawkyweinn (Aung Myay Town) in the Sittaung River Valley under the PDF’s Bago Region Military Command, Military Region 2, as well as a military checkpoint stationed in Si Pin Thar Village, Oaktwin Township, and a bridge guard post at the railway bridge in Thar Yar Kone, Kyauktaga Township, all situated along the old Yangon-Mandalay Road.
During the operation to capture Tawkyweinn, the Royal Peacock Battalion conducted joint operations with allied forces in Hteintapin and Kaleinkhin villages in Nyaung Lay Pin Township. According to the battalion, police outposts along the railway in Hteintapin Village were completely destroyed.
The Royal Peacock Battalion carried out these operations together with the TawKyeekan (Raven) Battalion, the Fire Dragon Battalion (3703), the Drone Battalion (1805), and other allied units.
Various battalions and units are taking part in the military operations across the Bago Region fronts. Under the Bago Region Military Command, Military Region 2, these include the Alawaka Battalion (P27803), White Peacock Battalion (P23503), and Red Dragon Battalion (P29903) from Strategy 24; Battalion 3702 and the Special Commando Battalion (P29914) from Strategy 25; joint forces from Strategy 26; and units from Strategy 22.
Additionally, local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs) and Local People’s Defense Organizations (Pa Ka Pha) from Bago District, the Asho Chin Defense Force (ACDF), and various drone units are also actively engaged in their respective operational areas.
“The exact number is still being confirmed, but we know that more than 50 enemy soldiers were killed. Weapons and ammunition were also seized. In Kyein Khar Gon Village, east of Penwegon, a major-level platoon commander from the Military Commission was killed, and his body was recovered. Around 20 soldiers were killed there, and approximately 20 weapons were seized,” Ko Aung Hein said.
According to Captain Zin Yaw, a CDM officer, the ongoing intense fighting in Tawkyweinn, Kyauktaga Township located in eastern Bago Region, has shaken the junta’s Southern Military Command. He said that the revolutionary forces are meticulously applying military principles, leaving no stone unturned in their execution of ‘Stop, Cut, Kill, Defend, and Recon’ tactics.
“The military’s humiliating defeat in Tawkyweinn is a direct result of the revolutionary forces’ successful targeting of the town as a strategic military objective. The clashes on the eastern side of the Bago Yoma are now posing a direct threat to the Naypyidaw Council Territory, while the offensives along the Yangon-Pyay Road have sent chills through Yangon’s Taikkyi area,” he said.
Captain Zin Yaw further analyzed that the offensives launched in both eastern and western Bago Region since the beginning of this year reveal a significant weakness in the junta’s Southern Regional Military Command. He states that the command lacks sufficient combat-ready troops, forcing the military to rely on a limited number of personnel from support and administrative corps to maintain their positions.
“We can hear artillery fire from Bago City. Fighting is ongoing around Penwegon and Tawkyweinn, and villages were repeatedly bombed yesterday (15 January),” a Penwegon resident told Mizzima.
Bago Region, which hosts four defense industry weapons factories, has also seen new fronts opened by the Arakan Army (AA), particularly in Padaung Township.
Clashes at strategic locations known as Point 666 and Nyaungkyo in Padaung Township reportedly resulted in the deaths of Colonel Han Lin Aung and Major Wai Yan Lin, along with other Military Commission personnel. Fighting in the area remains ongoing.
“Airstrikes, especially by jet fighters, have caused civilian casualties, and some of our fighters have also been injured. In the Bago Region operation, our battalion is working closely with People’s Defense Organizations and ethnic resistance organizations. I believe the operation demonstrates strong unity and coordination among the forces,” Ko Aung Hein from Royal Peacock Battalion said.
The Bago Region offensive began with raids on Pyu Saw Htee camps in Minhla, Zeegon, and Nattalin townships on 6 and 7 January.
Following this, the Nattalin PDF advanced toward Nattalin, while battalions from Thayarawaddy District, People’s Defense Organizations (Pa Ka Pha) units from Zeekone and Thayarawaddy districts, and Thayarawaddy District drone units jointly advanced toward Zeekone.
Subsequently, battalions under the NUG launched a coordinated and successful operation in the Sittaung River Basin under PDF No. (2) Operation Area on 9 January . Since then, military tensions have continued to escalate, and fighting has remained ongoing through 15 January.
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