A rebel army in Myanmar, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), has announced a major victory, claiming to have seized control of a key military headquarters in the strategic city of Lashio, located in northern Shan State, near the border with China. This alleged capture, after 23 days of intense fighting with government troops, represents a significant setback for the ruling junta battling to quell a widening revolt across the country. The MNDAA declared the city “completely liberated” in a statement shared on social media, urging the public to remain calm and comply with its administration. However, Reuters was unable to independently verify the group’s claim, and a spokesperson for the junta did not respond to requests for comment. The MNDAA is part of a coalition of ethnic minority rebel groups fighting to defend their territories against the military. They are joined by an armed resistance movement that has launched a nationwide campaign to undermine the junta’s rule. This conflict has evolved into a full-blown civil war, posing one of the biggest challenges to the Myanmar military in its five decades of power. The escalating conflict has displaced over 2.6 million people, according to the United Nations. The military, which seized power in 2021 after a decade of tentative democracy, is stretched thin by fighting on multiple fronts across the country, hindering its ability to govern and manage a struggling economy. The junta has labelled its opponents as “terrorists” seeking to destabilize the nation. The MNDAA’s latest offensive followed the recent collapse of a ceasefire brokered by China, which has expressed concerns about the fighting near its border and its potential impact on trade. China’s foreign ministry urged all parties to cease hostilities, engage in dialogue, and ensure the safety of Chinese businesses and citizens. “We will continue to encourage peace and push for talks,” stated spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular briefing. Online news outlet Myanmar Now cited the commander of another armed group fighting alongside the MNDAA as confirming the capture of the regional command headquarters in Lashio. An analysis earlier this year by the Special Advisory Council for Myanmar revealed that the junta effectively lacks control over much of the country, having lost authority over townships covering 86% of the territory and two-thirds of the population. This reflects the escalating chaos and instability gripping Myanmar as the junta struggles to contain the growing resistance movement.
Rebel Army Claims Major Victory in Myanmar, Seizing Key Military Base
