Myanmar's military announced on 20/5 that it had recaptured Mawtaung, a strategic border town in the southern Tanintharyi region, from rebel forces. This victory, achieved after a two-week counter-offensive, marks a significant gain for the army, which had lost control of the town in 11/2025 to rebel attacks. State media outlet Global New Light of Myanmar reported that the operation involved over 200 clashes, leading to some army casualties and at least 24 opposition fighters killed.

Border crossing with Thailand in Mawtaung town, 2017. Photo: Global New Light of Myanmar.

The recapture of Mawtaung is a new success for the Myanmar army, building on its recent momentum against rebel groups. This development could lead to the resumption of cross-border trade and transport between Thailand and Myanmar through this checkpoint. The Mawtaung crossing is economically important, having facilitated 26,7 million USD worth of goods from 2023 to 2024.

This recapture follows other recent successes for the Myanmar army. In recent months, the military has also announced it has retaken a key highway in the north, which leads to the China border, and the main route to Thailand's busiest commercial crossing.

Myanmar has faced instability since the military coup five years ago. While a rebel alliance gained an advantage in late 2023, their offensive momentum eventually slowed, allowing the army to regain control. Notably, two major opposition forces that played key roles in the 2023 offensive have since signed a ceasefire agreement with the government army, brokered by Beijing.

The military initially imposed a curfew and declared a state of emergency in 2/2021 after the coup, which ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi. It then established the National Defense and Security Council (NDSC) to govern the nation. In a recent development, former general Min Aung Hlaing was elected President of Myanmar in a parliamentary vote earlier in April, enabling him to continue leading the country under a civilian title.