Latest Situation of the Katha Town Seizure Battle

Photo- CJ

Public Myanmar News ,January 2, 2026 

By PM02,

Katha town, located in the upper part of Sagaing Region, is currently facing an ongoing town seizure battle as joint revolutionary forces, including the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and People’s Defense Forces (PDF), continue their offensive operations.

On December 31, 2025, the joint forces successfully seized a junta military checkpoint located on the western side of Katha town.

Following the seizure of the checkpoint, revolutionary forces have opened evacuation routes, allowing civilians to leave the town safely, according to ground sources who spoke to Public Myanmar News.

The Katha town seizure battle began on December 28, 2025, and has continued to intensify for more than four consecutive days, up to today, January 2, 2026.

Photo- CJ

During the fighting, revolutionary forces managed to seize several junta defensive positions and vehicle compounds located in some urban wards.

Additionally, on the morning of January 2, another military camp at a town entrance checkpoint was captured.

After capturing the junta checkpoint located in Patta Myar Ward on the western side of Katha—along the road leading to Indaw town—revolutionary forces allowed local residents to evacuate from the town, according to a Katha resident in his early 30s.

“Now even the town exit checkpoint has been taken by revolutionary forces.They have opened the route for civilians to leave,”he said.

Photo- CJ

At present, thousands of displaced civilians are fleeing from Katha town toward Indaw, Mawlu, Myitkyina, and other nearby towns, according to confirmation from a Mawlu local resident.

However, rumors have also circulated claiming that revolutionary forces were detaining displaced civilians and demanding money at a location approximately eight miles west of Katha town.

During clashes on December 29, artillery fire by the junta military struck Kyantaw Village, south of Katha town, burning down a residential house.As a result, a 50-year-old man inside the house was burned to death.

As of this morning, fighting continues to be intense near Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 309, as well as around Tharyar Gone and Zaydi Gone areas in Ward No. (5) on the northern side of the town.

Residents report that continuous sounds of heavy weapons can still be heard.

Photo- CJ

Up until 3:30 PM today, residents reported seeing several junta reconnaissance aircraft circling above Katha town.However, no direct airstrikes have been confirmed so far.

Nevertheless, the aviation monitoring channel WaiHin reported that fighter jets and Y-12 aircraft carried out airstrikes on Katha town during the night of January 1 and again today.

Photo- CJ

The current Katha town seizure battle is no longer limited to the outskirts but has intensified toward urban areas.

Civilians remain trapped in uncertainty due to unsafe road conditions, harsh winter weather, and severe livelihood challenges, forcing many families to wait and closely monitor the situation.

Katha town, the district headquarters of Katha District in Sagaing Region, consists of 11 wards and nearly 200 villages, with an urban population of more than 26,000 residents.

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