17 May 2026 By Ko Myo
MONYWA, Myanmar — Local administrative authorities in Sagaing Region have announced an immediate and indefinite suspension of all travel along a vital northern highway and the Chindwin River, citing a severe deterioration in regional security.
The Kani Township Central Emergency Administration issued a directive on Sunday, 17 May, halting all civilian movement on the Monywa-Chaungma-Yagyi-Kalewa highway as well as all commercial and ferry transport along the Chindwin River. The administration warned that the ban will remain in place until further notice, adding that it will not take responsibility for any security incidents involving those who violate the order.
The sweeping closures come in response to a major military offensive that has been unfolding since late April. A junta column of approximately 1,000 troops has been sweeping through the rural heartlands of Kani Township, engaging in systematic arson, arbitrary detentions, and extrajudicial killings.
“The situation has forced tens of thousands of villagers into temporary mountain camps, completely paralyzing the local economy,” a Monywa-based activist told MPA. “At this critical juncture, it is vital for civilians to strictly follow the safety directives. Unfortunately, because of severe communication barriers with Kani, getting real-time updates from the deep interior has become incredibly difficult.”
Local resistance channels, including the Kani Township Information and Public Relations department, reported that the military has been using unguided artillery and combat aircraft to bomb civilian infrastructure. Hospitals, schools, and religious buildings have reportedly been hit during the sweeps, forcing authorities to prioritize operational security and civilian protection over regular transit.
The physical lockdown follows a digital clampdown implemented on 8 May, when the same administration ordered the temporary shutdown of all public Starlink satellite internet terminals in the area. Only terminals officially operated by the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and its allied defense factions were permitted to remain online.
The measure was aimed at disrupting networks used by military informants to transmit location data for airstrikes, while also protecting the tactical movements of the People’s Defence Force (PDF).
As the military continues its village-by-village sweep, the closure of these major transport arteries is expected to deepen the isolation of northern Sagaing, complicating both the military resistance and the delivery of emergency aid to the growing numbers of displaced families hiding in the jungle.
