Regime recaptures Tonzang and Mawtaung from resistance forces

By Admin 20 May 2026

DMG Newsroom

20 May 2026, Tonzang, Chin State

The military regime recaptured Tonzang Town in northern Chin State and Mawtaung Town in Tanintharyi Region on May 19 after launching offensives against resistance forces that had previously controlled the two towns.

A Chin resistance source said Chin National Front/Chin National Army (CNF/CNA) troops withdrew from Tonzang Town on May 19 after regime forces and the Zomi Revolutionary Army-Eastern Command (ZRA-EC) launched a joint offensive against the town, which had been controlled by the Chinland Council (CC).

The combined regime and ZRA-EC forces attacked Tonzang Town from two directions, carrying out a ground offensive with heavy support from airstrikes and drones.

A local Chin military source said: “The military and the ZRA-EC launched a ground offensive and trapped us from two sides. Since they carried out continuous attacks with aerial support, resistance members withdrew from the town due to the imbalance in firepower, although some clashes are still continuing on the ground.”

CDF-Tonzang, a member of the Chinland Council, and allied Chin resistance forces captured Tonzang Town in May 2024, but lost control of it after holding the town for about two years.

Tonzang Township had been the only township fully controlled by the Chinland Council.

The recapture of Tonzang Town came nearly a month after the regime retook Falam Town in Chin State on April 24.

The regime also recaptured Mawtaung Town on May 19. The town, located on the Thai border in Tanintharyi Township, Tanintharyi Region, had previously been controlled by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and allied revolutionary forces.

Sources familiar with the military situation said resistance forces lost the town after the regime deployed massive reinforcements and shifted its strategy to combine ground offensives with aerial support, weakening the resistance’s defensive capabilities.

“The regime forces had been launching offensives to retake Mawtaung for months. Despite suffering casualties, the military was able to reinforce manpower continuously, making it difficult for the revolutionary forces to compete. In addition, the air support was highly effective, which led to the loss of the town,” a source close to the KNU said.

According to a regime statement, preparations and military formations were arranged along the Tanintharyi, Yayphyu, Theinkhun, Thaepyu, and Mawtaung routes to retake Mawtaung Town, with troops divided into columns to launch phased attacks.

The regime claimed it had fully captured and secured Mawtaung Town at around 4:00 PM on May 19.

The KNLA and allied resistance forces captured Mawtaung Town in November 2025, and the regime retook it six months later.

The regime has been launching counter-offensives across the country to retake lost territory, recently recapturing towns in Chin State, Sagaing Region, Mandalay Region, and Tanintharyi Region.

Military observers said the regime has strengthened its counter-offensives through military conscription, assistance from China, leadership changes within the military, and revised nationwide military strategies.