Myanmar rebels claim control of town near China

In a statement released late on January 5, the "Three Brothers Alliance" said it had captured Laukkai town after the Myanmar army headquarters in the area surrendered to rebel forces, according to Reuters.

"The entire Kokang (Laukkai) region has become a Myanmar Military Council-free zone," the statement said.

Myanmar's military government did not immediately comment.

Laukkai Town

The capture of Laukkai is the latest victory in a large-scale offensive by a coalition of rebel groups in Myanmar that began in October 2023. The fighting over the past three months has also posed the most significant threat to Myanmar's military government since it took power in the country in a coup in 2021.

The Three Brothers Alliance consists of three groups with extensive combat experience: the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA).

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They are accompanied by members of the People's Defence Forces, a force supported by the National Unity Government (NUG) that exists alongside Myanmar's military government, indicating an increasing level of coordination and planning by the insurgent groups.

Armed conflict between the Myanmar military and rebel groups has intensified in northern Myanmar since late October last year. Neighboring China has called for a ceasefire and brokered talks between the two sides.

As the capital of the restive Kokang region, Laukkai is known as a gambling den and a hub for online scams. Beijing has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated in recent months with the Myanmar military government’s lack of action to stamp out these scam hubs.

When they launched their offensive in October 2023, the Three Brothers Alliance said their main goals included clearing out scam hubs.

In late December 2023, China urged its citizens to leave the Laukkai area, citing security risks. Laukkai is the former headquarters of the MNDAA.

According to Myanmar-based political analyst Ye Myo Hein, the fall of Laukkai "marks the collapse of the First Regional Operations Command" in the Myanmar military.

The Myanmar Army has more than 10 Regional Operations Commands spread across the country.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/phe-noi-day-myanmar-tuyen-bo-gianh-quyen-kiem-soat-mot-thi-tran-gan-trung-quoc-185240106081821205.htm