The Homalin People's Defence Force (Homalin PDF) has taken control of five villages in Homalin Township, Sagaing Region, near the border with Hpakant Township in Kachin State.

Homalin PDF seized the five villages from junta-aligned Shanni Nationalities Army (SNA) troops who were stationed in the villages, during an offensive that ran from 21 to 24 November 2024, according to a source close to Homalin PDF Battalion 1, who spoke to KNG.

He said: "Fighting began on 21 November, and by 24 November, the PDF had seized the villages between Narmaw and Hmanhong. For the next three days everything was relatively calm and the PDF carried out clearance operations in the captured areas.”

The five captured villages are: Narmaw, a village of about 200 houses and the villages of Hmanhong, Naungpoaung, Ngunsi, and Parhoke which each have between 80 and 150 houses.

The SNA had a strong presence of 100 troops stationed in Naungpoaung Village, with a smaller number of troops in the other villages.

Describing the offensive, the aforementioned source said: “The PDF first targeted the SNA checkpoint in Narmaw, The SNA had set up that checkpoint along the road leading to nearby gold mining sites. The attack resulted in many casualties and surrenders among the SNA, with many also fleeing the fighting.”

Many residents of the five villages captured by the PDF, along with those from five nearby villages, have been displaced by the clashes and are seeking refuge in forested areas, according to a woman from Naungpoaung Village.

She said: “In Naungpoaung Village, only about a third of the population remains, while the rest have fled. Residents of Narmaw, Naungpoaung, and nearby villages have also fled. With the roads to Homalin Town blocked, most are taking refuge in the forested areas near the gold mining sites.”

Villagers are unable to get to Homalin Township because since the fighting broke out the SNA has blocked the road connecting Naungpoaung to Homalin Town at the Naungpoaung Bridge.

Previously, in October 2024,  combined forces from Homalin PDF and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) captured several other SNA-controlled villages in Hpakant Township, just across the Kachin State border.

During 2024 combined forces from Homalin PDF and the KIA have taken control of many villages in Homalin Township and Paungbyin Township to the west.