Junta intensifies offensive against resistance-held territory in strategic Sagaing town

By Admin 13 Oct 2026

DMG Newsroom

13 October 2026, Indaw, Sagaing Region

The military junta is escalating aerial bombardments and launching fierce ground offensives against territory controlled by resistance forces led by the Arakan Army in Indaw Township, Sagaing Region, triggering intense clashes, according to local sources.

Although the regime has suffered heavy casualties since the offensive began on October 5, it continues to send fresh reinforcements into the area to sustain its assault.

"Despite suffering numerous casualties, the military is pressing its offensive hard with heavy air support," a frontline military source told DMG. "Fighting in the Indaw area has now lasted for over a week, and the clashes remain extremely intense."

Fighting is concentrated near Kanni, Thanbo and Naungmoe villages, with the military sending reinforcement columns from Katha to sustain ground operations.

Over the past few days, two junta columns comprising roughly 200 troops each advanced into the area, encountering fierce resistance and counterattacks that inflicted heavy casualties and prompted the military to launch continuous airstrikes.

Military sources reported that the regime is currently sending hundreds of additional troops from Katha to reinforce its forces in Indaw Township.

Commenting on the junta's offensive against areas in Indaw Township controlled by the Arakan Army and allied resistance forces, military defector Captain Zin Yaw told DMG:

"There are territories controlled by the Arakan Army and allied revolutionary forces across upper Sagaing Region in townships such as Indaw, Pinlebu, Wuntho and Kawlin. As the junta is specifically targeting and attacking strategic supply routes connecting Sagaing and Magway regions, and Chin State down to Arakan State, it is concentrating its offensive power heavily on Arakan Army controlled areas."

As the military regime advances daily across Indaw Township, it routinely bombards civilian villages with heavy artillery and drones, resulting in civilian casualties.

"Operating under the direct command of the Deputy Regional Commander, forces from Light Infantry Division 33 are mounting disproportionate offensives backed by airstrikes, apparently acting on detailed intelligence regarding Arakan Army linked forces," Captain Zin Yaw added. "Based on precise intelligence gathered on the Arakan Army and allied positions, the military has executed targeted assaults with overwhelming force, leading to localized territorial losses."

According to local reports, military forces recaptured Melzar, Tanthel, Kanni, Thanbo and Naungmoe villages in Indaw Township, Katha District, Sagaing Region, on October 7.

On October 11, a junta drone strike on Nat Yay Twin Village in Indaw Township killed a 10-year-old child.

Amid intense conflict across the Sagaing Region, widespread frontline battles are continuing between the military junta and forces allied with the Arakan Army and the Kachin Independence Army, accompanied by a sharp escalation in military airstrikes.