Myanmar army seizes key resistance headquarters and 10 bases held by
opposition, state media says
[November 10, 2026]
BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military has seized a key
resistance military command headquarters and 10 other bases in the south
of the country, state media reported Tuesday, marking a new gain by the
army in the civil war as it seeks control of regions long held by
resistance forces.
The capture of the bases in the jungle along the border between Mon
state and the Bago region marks the latest setback suffered by
pro-democracy armed groups and ethnic militias fighting the army.
The reported capture could not be independently confirmed because the
military does not allow journalists free access to the area, but the
claim has not been challenged.
The military-backed government, which took office in April following
controversial elections earlier this year, has stepped up activity in
recent months on the ground and with airstrikes to retake areas
controlled by the People’s Defense Force, the armed wing of the major
opposition National Unity Government, and ethnic militias that have been
fighting the central government for greater autonomy for decades.
The PDF emerged after the army seized power from the elected government
of Aung San Suu Kyi in February 2021 and has since formed loose
alliances with ethnic militias fighting the military.
A report in the state-run Myanma Alinn newspaper on Tuesday said the
army captured 11 bases operating in the jungle area straddling the
border between Mon and Bago during a six-day operation that began a week
ago.
The captured positions included the special region command headquarters
of the NUG and a battalion headquarters of the Karen National Liberation
Army, the armed wing of the Karen National Union, a major Karen ethnic
rebel group.
The paper published photos showing soldiers who captured the bases
alongside ammunition seized during the operation.
[to top of second column]
|
Small arms, ammunition supplies, vehicles, drones and computers were
captured after four armed engagements, the report said, adding that
the military would continue security operations in the region.
The NUG and KNU did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The captured regions, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) northeast of
Yangon, the country’s largest city, have seen intense conflict since
the 2021 military takeover that prompted widespread public protests.
The violent suppression of the demonstrations by government security
forces triggered an armed resistance that has led to civil war.
The NUG’s special region command headquarters said in a previous
social media statement that it had 12 PDF battalions, seven drones
with specialized support units, as well as six combat and defense
units under its command. It also said it was conducting military
operations across the southern Kayin and Mon states, as well as the
Bago region. Kayin state is also known as Karen state.
In another statement at the end of September, the NUG headquarters
said its communications outpost had been hit by airstrikes involving
two fighter jets, killing five members of its force, including a
former soldier who had defected.
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
