During the last two weeks of January 2026, armed clash events across the country increased compared to the half of the month, with the highest number of events particularly observed in Anyar region (Central Dry Zone of Myanmar), including Sagaing, Magway, and Mandalay regions. Armed clash events across the country’s heartland during this period accounted for over 50 percent of total incidents.
BNI-Myanmar Peace Monitor recorded armed clash events in 33 townships nationwide, 18 of which were located within the Anyar region. This highlights the increasing military momentum of resistance forces in the country’s heartland.
On 16 January 2026, local resistance groups jointly attacked a junta military checkpoint at Pauk Taw village on the Sagaing-Mingun road section in Sagaing Township, resulting in 10 junta soldiers killed and approximately 20 others injured. The attack was carried out by the People’s Soldier Special Guerrilla Force, Mingun Station People’s Security Team, Gun Star Guerrilla Force, and local People’s Defense Team, in coordination with the Acid Column, Company 4 of Battalion 17, Shwebo District, as announced on 18 January. On 15 January, the resistance groups had attacked and seized the junta’s Tada Lu Toll Gate at the outskirts of Sagaing City, burning and clearing the occupied positions. 1
On 15 January, resistance groups also clashed with an advancing junta column in Kamma Township, Thayet District, Magway Region. In this encounter, seven junta soldiers were killed, as announced by People’s Defense Force (PDF) Battalion 4 – Thayet District. Due to these ground conditions, PDF Battalion 4 – Thayet District has issued an alert for local residents to remain vigilant of potential aerial attacks by the military junta.2
Meanwhile, compared to the previous two-week period, the number of civilian fatalities has nearly doubled. Sagaing Region, Arakan State, Kachin State, and Magway Region suffered the highest civilian casualties due to the conflict-related attacks by the military junta such as aerial attacks and artillery shelling. Notably, during this period, 97 percent (99 people) of the 102 civilians were killed by junta aerial attacks, with five incidents resulting in five or more deaths each.
On 21 January 2026, the military junta bombed the Arakan Army (AA)-controlled displacement camp in Kyauktaw Township, Arakan State, killing 21 prisoners of war and their family members and injuring approximately 30 others.
On 22 January, at least 20 civilians, including women and children, were killed when a junta airstrike targeted a funeral ritual being performed in front of Hti Lin Church in Kawng Jar village tract, Banmaw Township, on the west bank of the Irrawaddy River. On 29 January, eight civilians, including a 3-year-old child, were killed and several others injured when a junta airstrike targeted Lay Bo village in the Mawlu area, Indaw Township.
In summary, as resistance offensives against the military junta gain strength across the country, junta aerial attacks continue to pose a significant threat to the people of Myanmar.
1. Resistance groups attack junta checkpoint in Sagaing, People’s Spring, 19 Jan 2026
2. Junta soldiers killed in Kamma clash, DVB, 17 Jan 2026