Introduction
From July 13 to August 14, 2026, military tensions continued to escalate in Mon State and its surrounding areas. Despite the monsoon season, hostilities did not cease entirely. During this period, Mon State experienced a total of three ground battles, two aerial attacks, and approximately seven artillery shelling. Geographically, ground battles occurred in Ye Township in the southern part of the state, while in the northern townships of Belin and Kyaikto, although there were no ground battles, aerial and artillery attacks persisted.
Ground Battles and Military Tensions in Ye Township
During the reported period, ground battles in Mon State occurred exclusively within Ye Township in the southern region. On July 16, a battle took place near Khawezar between the Mon State Revolutionary Force (MSRF) under the Mon State Federal Council (MSFC) and the military junta.[1] On July 26, a clash occurred between the Tabinshwehtee Kyauk People’s Defense Force, operating under Battalion (27), Company (1) of the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) of the Karen National Union (KNU), and the military junta, between Aung Thaya and Kanin Kamawt villages.[2] Furthermore, on August 8, a battle erupted near Aung Thabye old village between the Ramanya Mon Army (RMA) Battalion (901) under the New Mon State Party-Anti-Dictatorship (NMSP-AD) and the Ye Guerrilla Force (YGF/Battalion 8001) under Strategy (33) of the People’s Defense Force (PDF) and the military junta.[3]
The battles were observed to be merely at the guerrilla warfare stage of the revolutionary forces, in terms of both duration and military scale. However, the continued ground battles in Ye Township, along with aerial and artillery attacks, are factors that continue to heighten military tensions in the region.
Specifically, on August 11, the military junta used three 500-pound bombs to launch an aerial attack on an orchard near Saw Ke village, also known as Saw Htar village, in Ye Township.[4] On the same day, Min Hla village, also known as Leikpok village, was also attacked with heavy weapons, according to local residents. These villages are located within the KNU-controlled territory, in Leikpok sub-township, Win Yay Township, Dooplaya District. The Independent Mon News Agency (IMNA) reported that there were no casualties from these attacks.[5]
Air Strikes Continue in Northern Mon State
In northern Mon State, although there have been no ground clashes, air and artillery attacks continue. On August 4th, the military junta attacked Leldawgyi and Phowarthaim villages in Bilin Township with heavy weapons during the night. Similarly, on the same day, areas near Kyaukphyar village in Kyaikhto Township were attacked by air with two 500-pound bombs, and Zeepyaung (5), Kanyintawng, and Moebaw village (old) were also shelled with heavy weapons.[6]
Furthermore, on August 5th, Nyatpyawtaw village in Kyaikhto Township was attacked with two heavy artillery shells from the No. (44) Division Headquarters.[7] These incidents indicate that even when there are no ground battles in northern Mon State, the military junta’s use of air and heavy artillery attacks does not cease. Therefore, the current military situation poses a danger not only in areas where fighting is occurring but also in non-combat zones, continuing to endanger civilian security and cause concern.
Conclusion
Overall, looking at the current ground battles, most engagements involve resistance forces intercepting and clashing with the military junta’s columns. This indicates that the military junta, which previously rarely ventured from its fixed bases, is now continuously conducting patrols and advancing its troops.
Furthermore, the Pyargyi-Mawlamyine-Dawei-Myeik-Bokpyin-Kawthaung Union Highway, crucial for the military junta’s post-election strategic plans, passes through Mon State. The section of this road within Mon State is known as the Sittang-Thaton-Mawlamyine-Ye-Malawe Taung section, and the military junta is already expanding and repairing this highway.[8] However, the Thanbyuzayat-Ye-Malawe Taung section is controlled by revolutionary groups, posing a significant obstacle for the military junta.
Therefore, it is likely that the military junta will intensify its ground offensives and patrols to regain control of this road section, while revolutionary groups may also strive to maintain their control. Consequently, it will be necessary to continue monitoring how the military engagements between the military junta and revolutionary forces evolve.
[1] Mon State Revolutionary Force – MSRF, July 16, 2026: “Battle News Announcement” https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1C2wRrhKSy/
[2] Than Lwin Times, July 29, 2026: Military tensions are escalating between both sides in Ye Township. Thanlwintimes
[3] RMA-Ramonnya Mon Army, August 9, 2026Battle News Announcement: Northern Ye, https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1K8icineNs/
[4] Ye Belu, August 11, 2026: “11.8.2026… The SAC used a jet fighter to drop three 500-pound bombs on an orchard hut near Chawt Htar village, destroying it., https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JY59UbJxg/
[5] Independent Mon News Agency, August 12, 2026: It is reported that there were no casualties in the aerial bombing of Kyaung Village, Ye Township. Indepentmonnewsagency
[6] Karen Information Center, August 6, 2026: Junta conducts continuous airstrikes and heavy artillery attacks in two KNU districts; 1 woman killed. Kareninformationcenter
[7] Than Lwin Times, August 7, 2026Former PDF base in Kyaikto hit by bombing. Thanlwintimes
[8] Independent Mon News Agency, August 3, 2026: Locals are concerned about the markers erected along the stretch in Mon State for expanding the highway to 230 feet, Independentmonnewsagency
