The Black Cobra Column warned residents on July 10 to stay alert for security reasons, saying revolutionary forces are ready to resume fighting in Mawdaung town, Tanintharyi Township.
The group said revolutionary force members have completed all rest and military preparation processes and are now ready to resume combat operations in the Mawdaung area.
As military activity is expected to intensify, the group has banned all large cargo trucks from traveling between the checkpoint at the entrance to Mawdaung and Village No. 9, and advised that only small passenger vehicles and motorcycles be used for travel if necessary.
The road section from the Htonekhar junction to Village No. 9 has been designated a restricted zone. The Black Cobra Column warned that anyone traveling through this area risks being mistaken for a military target and urged residents to strictly follow the security warnings.
The group said it would identify and take strict action against military junta troops and anyone providing them with information, surveillance, or support, and warned residents to avoid any contact with junta forces and to stay in safe areas.
The group also stated that any vehicles carrying junta personnel, weapons, ammunition, or military supplies would be treated as military targets and destroyed, and called on public transport operators and shipping businesses not to transport such cargo under any circumstances.
The group warned that anyone violating these rules and restrictions would be arrested and face severe punishment, and urged residents to strictly follow the safety warnings for their own protection.
Mawdaung town, previously under the control of joint revolutionary forces, became the target of a full-scale military junta offensive starting in December 2024, aimed at retaking the Tanintharyi-Mawdaung road.
Despite facing an imbalance in manpower, weapons, and technology, revolutionary forces fought back fiercely for one year and four months, successfully holding the town for about six months.
However, starting in April 2026, the military junta deployed two military strategic commands and up to 11 battalions, escalating ground assaults, airstrikes, artillery fire, and drone attacks.
Due to the prolonged fighting, which led to exhaustion among revolutionary force members and rising civilian casualties from airstrikes, revolutionary forces made a tactical withdrawal from Mawdaung town and the Htonekhar-Mawdaung road section on May 6.
During the year-and-four-month defense of Mawdaung, more than 500 military junta soldiers were killed and more than 1,000 wounded, while 46 surrendered along with their weapons, according to the statement.
The Black Cobra Column also said 53 junta soldiers were captured as prisoners during the fighting, while 51 revolutionary force members were killed in action.
