The military offensive to retake the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA)-held town of Naung Cho in northern Shan State has advanced more than three miles from the town, sources on the ground have told the BBC.
“The military has taken control of Nantsaunghu village. It’s an eight-minute drive from Nantsaunghu to Naung Cho,” a source explained.
Pro-military Telegram channels have been circulating images claiming the military has taken control of the Namtsaunghu area.
Namtsaunghu village is adjacent to Naung Cho town.
Meanwhile, pro-military Telegram channels reported that the military had regained control of the 606th Missile Battalion, which was captured by the TNLA and the People’s Defense Forces (PDF) on the evening of July 8.
The battalion is located south of Naung Cho town, about 2 miles from the town.
The military is deploying a ground force of around 2,000 or more to retake Naung Cho town, and is using a multi-pronged offensive to retake the town, including airstrikes, reinforcements, and drone strikes.
TNLA spokesman Lwey Ye Oo has denied the military’s offensive on Naung Cho town, and denied reports that the military has reached the town’s outskirts.
Meanwhile, China has intervened and pressured both the military and the TNLA to stop the offensive, the TNLA said in a press conference.
The military has not yet released any information about the military situation in Naungcho.
