Introduction
This report compiles military activities, armed clashes, and territorial control within Mon State during the one-month period from February 14 to March 12, 2026. It specifically highlights the junta’s offensives in Kyaikto Township in northern Mon State and Ye and Thanbyuzayat Townships in southern Mon State, as well as drone and guerrilla operations by joint revolutionary forces.
Battle Incident Summary Table
| No. | Date | Township | Village |
| 1 | February 14 | Kyaikto | Kyauk Yay Twin |
| 2 | February 15 | Kyaikto | Win Kan |
| 3 | February 15 | Ye | Ah Baw |
| 4 | February 16 | Ye | Ah Baw |
| 5 | February 22 | Ye | Kyaung Ywa |
| 6 | February 23 | Kyaikto | Win Kan |
| 7 | February 23 | Ye | Aung Thapyay |
| 8 | February 25 | Ye | Khaw Zar |
| 9 | March 8 | Ye | Aung Thar Yar |
Drone Attack Summary Table
| No. | Date | Township | Village |
| 1 | February 21 | Thanbyuzayat | Anin |
| 2 | February 22 | Ye | Hnit Kayin |
| 3 | February 28 | Ye | Aung Thapyay |
| 4 | March 1 | Thanbyuzayat | Htin Shu |
| 5 | March 5 | Ye | Near Kanin Kamawt |
| 6 | March 9 | Ye | Aung Thar Yar |
In Mon State, there were a total of (9) battles between February (14) and March (12), 2026. (6) battles occurred in Ye Township and (3) in Kyaikto Township. In addition, there were (4) drone attacks in Ye Township and (2) in Thanbyuzayat Township, and (1) mine attack in Kyaikto Township.
The Kyaikto Front: Military Junta Forced to Shift Forces
Since the beginning of February, the military junta has launched a large-scale offensive into villages in Kyaikto Township, Mon State, including Win Kan and Khrawe village groups. Fighting has broken out between the military junta’s columns and joint revolutionary forces led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) in Win Kan and Kyauk Yae Twin. It has been observed that the military junta has been reinforcing its troops with battalions based in Theinzayat, as well as battalions based in Kawkareik, Karen State, such as Infantry Battalion (547) under Military Operations Command (12).
In addition, a column from Infantry Battalion (598), based in Shwe Kyin Township, Bago Region, also entered Win Kan Village in Kyaikto Township on February 23, resulting in fighting between the two sides.[1] Local media reported that as of March 4, the military junta had withdrawn its troops from Win Kan and Khrawe to Theinzayat.[2] It has been reported that homes in the villages from which the military junta withdrew have been broken into and ransacked, and local property has been damaged and lost.[3]
Is the junta creating a proxy war?
In southern Mon State, the junta has been conducting offensives in conjunction with local People’s Defense Forces (PDFs). This is especially true around the No. (8) Union Highway between Ye and Thanbyuzayat. Since the beginning of this year (2026), military offensives have been continuously carried out on the Ye-Thanbyuzayat road section. From February 14 to March 12, there were at least two battles and five drone attacks between Ye and Thanbyuzayat. Although there may have been casualties on both sides in these battles, only the casualties of the revolutionary groups could be confirmed.
On February 23, two members of the Mon State Revolution Force (MSRF) were killed in a battle near Aung Thapyay,[4] and on March 8, three members of the Tabinshwehti Ko Kyike Public Defense Force were killed in a battle near Aung Thayar, for a total of five deaths.[5] A spokesperson for the MSRF, Mi Talal Nyan, confirmed that the MSRF and the Tabinshwehti Ko Kyike Public Defense Force, under the command of Battalion (1), Regiment (27) of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA), jointly participated in both battles.
The battle near Aung Thapyay was like an incident in which Mon people shot each other. It was found that the coup junta used the Ayutawng (local) People’s Defense Forces, which were formed with Mon people, to attack. Soldiers wearing black camouflage uniforms were different from the junta’s troops and also spoke Mon, according to a person close to the revolutionary group who knew about the incident. In addition, Naik Bago Man, a MSRF supporter, confirmed the incident in a social media post on February 23.[6]
Reinforcement Operations for Security of Supply Routes
Reports indicate that the military junta is conducting reinforcement operations not only on the Ye-Thanbyuzayat road but also in the Phalaing region of Ye Township. After losing control of a section of the main Ye-Thanbyuzayat road, the military junta has relied primarily on waterways for supplies. For some time, the Asin village Panda port, near the Phalaing region, has been the main point for the military junta to load and unload personnel, weapons, and supplies. Consequently, the military junta has consistently implemented security measures along the Ye-Asin road and for that port. Along that road, in addition to military and People’s Militia outposts, checkpoints manned by personnel in blue uniforms from the People’s Security and Anti-Terrorism Forces can also be seen. Nevertheless, these outposts are occasionally attacked by guerrilla forces from revolutionary groups.
In the second week of February of this year (2026), a newly opened military junta outpost near the phone tower in Ah Baw village, on the Ye-Asin road at the entrance to the Phalaing region, was attacked for two consecutive days.[7] As a result of the attacks, the military junta temporarily blocked the road and made arrests of local residents. Of those arrested, only ten individuals who could pay at least 30 million kyats each were released.[8] On March 4th, a military column of five vehicles entered the villages of Duya, Ku Ka Taw, and Palaing Thaim on the Ah Baw-Duya-An Din road and conducted inspections of local residents.[9]
Strategic Analysis
(a) Following the coup, the junta has been using the Ayeyarwady (local) People’s Militia, which it armed and formed, in combat, similarly to the Wa Razak People’s Militia in the northern part of the country, granting them permission to open checkpoints and granting them authority. Sending Mon-speaking militias to the front lines creates a proxy war in which Mon people shoot at each other, and it is using a divide-and-rule strategy.
(b) Especially in the south, where Mon revolutionary groups dominate, the junta finds it easy to play war, but it has been observed that logistics are essential for long-term control of dominated territory. In the current situation, it is especially necessary for revolutionary groups to dominate and cut off parts of the Ye-Thanbyuzayat highway and the Ye-Azin road, which is the junta’s main supply route.
(c) The junta is ransacking the homes of locals and destroying property in any area where it launches offensives. In addition, if their checkpoints are attacked, they are blocking roads, arresting locals for no reason and extorting money, forcibly recruiting soldiers, and conducting inspections in villages with cars, oppressing the people with fear.
Conclusion
Overall, the military situation in Mon State from mid-February to mid-March 2026 remains tense with reciprocal offensives and defenses. The allied revolutionary forces are still capable of threatening the military council’s supply lines by effectively using guerrilla tactics and drone operations. However, it is noteworthy that the military council is trying to further invigorate its military strategy of using local People’s Militias to bring Mon people into direct confrontation with each other. Furthermore, it is assessed and presented that the military council is likely to increase arrests, extortion, and oppression of local people to secure their main supply routes, and the safety of civilians will remain in a particularly worrying situation.
[1] Than Lwin Times, February 24, 2026: Fighting is occurring on the border between Bago and Mon State.Thanlwintimes
[2] Independent Mon News Agency, March 9, 2026: Military Commission troops withdraw from Win Kan and Khwaye Village Group.Independentmonnewsagency
[3] Salween Press, March 9, 2026: Video footage of junta troops ransacking homes in Kyaikto Township.https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1AzfPBPGoU/
[4] Mon State Revolutionary Force, February 24, 2026: Military battle report https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GmPtDmNK8/
[5] Than Lwin Times, March 10, 2026: Three PDF comrades killed in battle. Thanlwintimes
[6] Bago Man, February 23, 2026: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1E4tVJCULR/
[7] Independent Mon News Agency, February 16, 2026The Military Council is conducting searches and blockades on the Duya-Ahbaw road section. Independent Mon News Agency
[8] Independent Mon News Agency, March 6, 2026: At least 30 million kyats must be paid for the release of locals arrested from Du Yar village.Independent Mon News Agency
[9] Independent Mon News Agency, March 5, 2026Local residents are concerned about potential clashes as military columns enter the Phalan region.Independentmonnesagency
