The Myanmar military has fully regained control of Hpasaung town in Kayah State, which had been temporarily controlled by the KNPP, KNDF, and PDF, as of today (February 15), and is continuing necessary area security and clearance operations, according to reports.
Since December 2021, the KNPP, KNDF, and PDF had carried out activities aimed at disrupting the government’s administrative mechanism within Kayah State and launched offensives to control the state capital, Loikaw. In response, military columns conducted counteroffensives, prompting KNPP, KNDF, and PDF forces to withdraw and operate from Demoso Township while cutting transportation routes.
Consequently, military columns launched an operation named “Yan Naing Min” to swiftly regain control of towns and communication routes temporarily occupied and blocked by insurgent groups. They recaptured Demoso town and surrounding areas on August 19, 2025. After withdrawing from Demoso, insurgent forces temporarily controlled Hpasawng and carried out four major attacks on local battalion headquarters on June 26 and 30, and July 5 and 7, 2025, in an attempt to gain full control of the region. However, they failed to seize the battalion headquarters and withdrew, maintaining temporary control of Hpasaung through long-range artillery fire.
In addition, the KNPP, KNDF, and PDF established layered blockades at key locations along routes used by military reinforcements, resulting in eight clashes of varying intensity. During these engagements, six bodies and 11 assorted weapons were reportedly seized from the groups.
Military columns subsequently made preparations to regain control of Hpasawng and surrounding areas. Starting September 30, 2025, clearance operations began from the western side of the Bawlakhe–Htu Chaung–Hpasaung road. On November 27, control was regained over the area around Htu Chaung Bridge, which had been destroyed by mines. On February 12, 2026, forces captured and secured the stronghold villages of Nam Kit and Papu. Continued clearance toward Hpasaung resulted in the military fully recapturing and controlling the town on February 15, 2026.
During the operations to retake control, a total of 31 clashes of various sizes occurred between the military and KNPP, KNDF, and PDF forces. Authorities reported seizing 17 assorted weapons, bodies, and explosive-related materials. Some security personnel were killed in action while others were injured.
While temporarily controlling Hpasaung, the KNPP, KNDF, and PDF allegedly used religious buildings, schools, government offices, hospitals, clinics, and residential homes as defensive positions and constructed bunkers to attack military columns. They were also accused of breaking into local homes and shops to seize valuables, food, and supplies, planting landmines in residential areas and along public roads, using civilians as human shields, and carrying out arson attacks. Security forces said they will cooperate with local residents to repair buildings and homes damaged by insurgents as quickly as possible.
With the recapture of Hpasaung, the main Loikaw–Demoso–Hpruso–Bawlakhe–Hpasawng road is expected to reopen soon. Military columns are reportedly working with local residents to enhance security measures to facilitate the earliest possible reopening of the route.
