Myanmar Junta Claims Recapture of Key Karenni Town

The Irrawaddy

Myanmar’s military regime says it has retaken Hpasawng in Karenni (Kayah) State, eight months after the strategic town fell to resistance forces. The claim, made on Sunday, follows a major counteroffensive launched last September, though resistance sources dispute whether the junta has secured full control.

Hpasawng lies on the Salween River, close to the Mawchi mining hub and within striking distance of the Karenni Army’s headquarters in Mese near the Thai border. Its location makes it a crucial gateway to resistance-held territory. On Tuesday, the Than Lwin Bridge linking Hpasawng to Mese was destroyed, reportedly to slow regime advances.

The junta says three columns of troops fought 31 battles, seized weapons and killed resistance fighters before entering the town. Analysts note that reinforcements have reached Hpasawng, but question whether the regime can sustain momentum deeper into Karenni territory. A source close to the resistance suggested the military may instead target the Mawchi mining zone once Hpasawng is secured.

Karenni forces captured Hpasawng last June after defeating local battalions, part of a wider campaign that saw them seize six towns across Karenni and southern Shan States. However, they lost Mobye and Nanmekon to regime counterattacks in 2025. The destruction of bridges around Hpasawng underscores the contested nature of the area, with both sides seeking to control vital supply routes.

For now, the junta’s claim of victory remains disputed. While its troops have entered Hpasawng, resistance fighters insist the battle is far from over, leaving the town’s fate uncertain in Myanmar’s grinding civil conflict.

-2026-02-18