Government Staff and Supply Convoys Reach Towns Along Mandalay–Myitkyina Route Following Reopening of Corridor

Vehicles carrying government personnel and supplies aimed at restoring administrative operations in towns and villages along the Mandalay–Madaya–Myitkyina route have now arrived at various destinations, according to reports.

In a statement, the Myanmar military said that it had conducted counter-terrorism operations with the participation of local residents in areas temporarily controlled by insurgent groups carrying out violent activities.

Through these operations, towns and villages were gradually retaken, and by May 6 the military had fully regained control of and reopened the key transportation corridor linking Mandalay–Madaya–Thabeikkyin–Tagaung–Htigyaing–Katha–Indaw–Mawlu–Nantsi Aung–Mohnyin–Mogaung–Myitkyina.

The military stated that the route, which connects Mandalay Region with Sagaing Region and Kachin State, is an important infrastructure corridor for the development of northern Myanmar. During the period when insurgent groups temporarily blocked and controlled the route, local ethnic communities reportedly faced major difficulties in transportation and the flow of goods.

Food and daily necessities became scarce, medical supplies and emergency materials were insufficient, and transport vehicles were allegedly subjected to extortion payments, leading to rising commodity prices. Businesses also reportedly suffered shortages of raw materials and difficulties in manufacturing finished goods, while transportation disruptions prevented products from reaching markets, causing hardships for local residents in their daily socio-economic lives.

According to the statement, the military has now fully recaptured the route and cleared obstructions along the road using manpower and machinery. Military engineering units and officials from relevant ministries reportedly cooperated to repair roads and bridges damaged by insurgents in order to restore public transportation and ensure smooth logistics operations.

The statement further said that efforts are underway to restore government administrative functions in towns and villages along the route and to support local residents returning to their homes. Measures include ensuring the timely delivery of school textbooks and stationery ahead of the school reopening season, providing medical supplies for healthcare services, and addressing other essential needs.

Under arrangements made by the government and the military, departmental staff departed from Mandalay on May 9 together with convoys transporting basic food supplies, consumer goods, construction materials, medicines and medical equipment, school textbooks, and fuel. Commercial vehicles carrying goods and merchants, as well as passenger vehicles for local travelers, also joined the convoy.

The statement said that government personnel and supply convoys were welcomed by officials and local residents upon arrival in Htigyaing, Katha, Indaw, and Mawlu in Sagaing Region. The convoy later arrived in Myitkyina, Kachin State, today (May 12), where it was welcomed by Kachin State Chief Minister U Khet Htein Nan, Northern Command commander Major General Aung Zaw Htway, other officials, and local residents.

Authorities and military personnel are also reportedly continuing rehabilitation efforts in towns and villages along the Mandalay–Myitkyina corridor. These efforts include providing security and assistance for local residents, reopening government offices, resuming school operations for children’s education, and reopening hospitals and healthcare facilities.

Basic food items and consumer goods transported by the convoy will reportedly be distributed to local residents in towns and villages through responsible officials. Merchants accompanying the convoy have also reportedly been able to transport and sell consumer goods in communities along the route, helping to reduce high commodity prices in the region.

According to the military’s statement, passenger vehicles and cargo transport vehicles are now traveling normally again along the route.