By Hlaing / MPA
Yangon — Resistance forces in central Myanmar are facing their most significant challenge in months, admitting to the loss of several strategic towns and supply routes following a high-tech counter-offensive by the military junta.
After a year of rapid gains, anti-coup forces have been forced to withdraw from key positions in Mandalay, Sagaing, and Magway regions throughout late 2025 and early 2026. Analysts and fighters on the ground point to the military’s overwhelming air superiority and the resistance’s own inability to establish robust administration in “liberated” areas as primary causes for the setbacks.
A Reversal of Fortunes The shift in momentum is perhaps most visible in the Mandalay region. On January 3, the Mandalay People’s Defence Force (MDY-PDF) issued a rare admission of withdrawal, confirming they had pulled out of eastern Madaya, Singu, and Thabeikkyin townships.
Resistance forces had held these areas for over a year. However, a relentless campaign involving heavy airstrikes and drone swarms forced a retreat, handing control of the vital Mandalay-Madaya-Singu highway back to the regime.
Similar losses are reported in the resistance stronghold of Sagaing. Despite capturing the Kant Daung police station in Pale Township last June, resistance groups have since lost control of approximately ten surrounding villages, including Min Taing Pin, as of this week.
The ‘Tech’ Factor and Governance Gaps Political analysts suggest the junta is deploying advanced military technology to secure territory ahead of the next phases of its controversial election, scheduled for later this month.
“The military is utilizing higher-grade technology in its operations,” said one political observer. “But the resistance’s loss isn’t solely due to firepower. It highlights a failure to establish concrete military and administrative control in the areas they captured. The junta is now exploiting that weakness to reclaim territory before the election.”
Civilian Morale Tested For the civilian population, the oscillation of control brings renewed hardship.
“I haven’t lost faith in the revolution, but losing towns and roads we previously won is disheartening,” said a 25-year-old displaced man from Pale Township. “We are watching to see how the resistance responds. Ultimately, we just want to return to our homes.”
Supply lines have also been severed. The junta has re-established a foothold in southern Kanbalu township, effectively choking the Union Highway—a critical artery connecting Shwebo and Myitkyina. Travelers now report that a trip along this route, which previously took hours, now takes two days due to dangerous detours.
Election Offensive The intensity of the fighting is directly linked to the junta’s political roadmap. With the regime desperate to hold Phases 2 and 3 of its election in January 2026, it has ramped up offensives to project authority over contested townships in Sagaing, Magway, and Chin State.
Fighting remains fierce in Kanthar, Banmauk, and along the Chin State borders, as the military attempts to clear resistance strongholds to pave the way for polling stations.
