15 April 2026 By MPA
FALAM, Myanmar — A coalition of Chin resistance forces has successfully captured a strategic military base in Falam Township, seizing dozens of firearms and high-tech equipment including Starlink satellite terminals, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
The operation to overrun the outpost, located near Khun Li village, was carried out on April 14 by a joint force led by the Chin National Organization/Chin National Defense Force (CNO/CNDF), alongside the Chin Brotherhood (CB) and local defense units.
Resistance officials confirmed the seizure of 24 firearms, a significant quantity of ammunition, and various landmines. Notably, the inclusion of Starlink hardware among the captured items highlights the military’s increasing reliance on satellite technology to maintain communication in remote border regions where local networks have been severed.
The battle, however, came at a heavy cost. The CNDF reported that four Chin resistance fighters were killed during the assault. While casualties on the junta side are expected to be high, the exact number of military deaths and injuries remains unconfirmed.
The fall of the Khun Li outpost is the latest development in a fierce military campaign that began in October 2025, when the Myanmar military launched a massive offensive involving approximately 1,000 troops in an attempt to retake Falam.
According to data compiled by the Institute of Chin Affairs (ICA), the four months of fighting leading up to February 2026 resulted in over 200 military fatalities and more than 250 injuries. Despite the junta’s superior numbers and air support, the rugged terrain and coordinated resistance of the “Chin Brotherhood” have effectively stalled the offensive.
Falam has become a pivotal front in the war for western Myanmar. The town was initially captured by Chin resistance forces in April 2025 and has remained under their control for over a year. The military junta has struggled to re-establish its presence in the mountainous state, where ethnic armed groups have made some of the most significant territorial gains since the 2021 coup.
As of Wednesday evening, the military junta has not issued an official statement regarding the loss of the base. For the Chin resistance, the successful raid represents a critical reinforcement of their defensive lines as they brace for potential retaliatory airstrikes—a standard junta response to the loss of fortified positions in the borderlands.
