28-10-2023 (YANGON) The conflict between rebels and the Myanmar military near the country’s northern border with China entered its second day, according to armed groups on Saturday.
Myanmar’s military junta took control of the government in a coup in February 2021, leading to renewed fighting with powerful ethnic rebel groups in the northern Shan state.
On Friday, an alliance of ethnic rebel groups launched coordinated attacks on military positions across the northern region, presenting a fresh challenge to the junta’s authority as it struggles to suppress resistance.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reported that it had captured three military outposts, two of which were near the border with China in the vicinity of Mongko. Additionally, the rebels ambushed a group of soldiers from Hopang and seized military equipment. The MNDAA did not provide specific information regarding casualties.
The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) announced that it had already taken control of three military outposts in Namhkam, with 18 soldiers reportedly killed. The group also claimed to have captured two military outposts in Lashio, along with a significant amount of military equipment. The TNLA statement mentioned that the military responded by deploying a fighter jet and helicopter gunship to Lashio.
According to a local rescue worker, there was intense shelling near Lashio for seven hours overnight, but the fighting subsided on Saturday.
Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun stated in an interview with local media on Friday that rebels had attacked military positions in the areas of Chinshwehaw, Laukkai, and Kunlong, resulting in the loss of some outposts. He expressed the military’s efforts to maintain peace and stability in the north Shan region while condemning the actions of the insurgents.
China’s Foreign Ministry expressed close attention to the situation on Friday and called on all parties involved to prevent the escalation of the conflict. Shan state has been designated for a proposed billion-dollar rail link as part of China’s Belt and Road global infrastructure project.
#Myanmar ????????: #MNDAA resistance fighters continue their offensive across northern #Shan state.
Today they captured a junta camp in the village of Man Pying, close to the town of Mongkoe, which sits on the border with #China.
Source: https://t.co/qzInDFH4eU pic.twitter.com/5tkFJuSVBm
— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) October 28, 2023
