Importantly, they were joined also by members of so-called people's defence forces, a loosely organised movement backed by Myanmar's parallel, National Unity Government (NUG).
HOW SERIOUS A THREAT IS THE JUNTA FACING?
It is too soon to predict the extent to which the military's rule in the rest of the country could be under threat, analysts say.
But the 1027 offensive has given a black eye to a well-equipped military with decades of experience fighting insurgencies.
With its reputation at stake, the junta is unlikely to concede easily and risk a domino effect of challenges to its authority in more regions of a country where its rule is deeply unpopular.
Persons:
Martin Petty, Robert Birsel
Organizations:
REUTERS, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, National Unity Government, AA, Security, Thomson
Locations:
Myanmar, Myanmar's Khawmawi, India, Zokhawthar, Champhai district, India's, Mizoram, Shan State, China, Rakhine State, Kayah, Thailand, Sagaing, Chin State