Myanmar rebels claim to have captured another outpost

Fighters of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) during a campaign on November 2 (Photo: The Kokang).

Rebel fighters from the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on November 4 seized two outposts from pro-Myanmar regular army militia near Lashio, the largest town in northern Myanmar's Shan State and home to the northeastern army command, according to local media.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) also said it had taken control of three outposts further east.

The news comes as fighting erupted in northern Shan state near the Chinese border this week, forcing more than 23,000 people to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.

The MNDAA, TNLA, and Arakan Army (AA) claim to have taken control of dozens of outposts and four towns, blocking vital trade routes to China. Earlier, the town of Chinshwehaw also fell to the rebels, according to Myanmar's regular army.

Location of Myanmar's Shan State (Graphic: SCMP).

Myanmar’s military government has yet to comment on the November 4 clashes. However, a spokesman for Myanmar’s armed forces two days earlier dismissed as “propaganda” what they called “news” about rebel alliances seizing several towns in Shan State.

On the same day, November 4, Global New Light of Myanmar quoted the Myanmar government as saying that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), another ethnic armed group operating in neighboring Kachin state, had also participated in attacks and destroyed civilian infrastructure.

The Myanmar military has vowed to respond.

Local media reported that the army shelled the town of Laiza on the border with China, where the KIA is headquartered.

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, leader of Myanmar's military government, said this week that the military "will launch counterattacks".

China on November 2 called for an immediate ceasefire in Shan State, where a multibillion-dollar railway is planned to be built as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

Myanmar's border regions are home to more than a dozen ethnic armed groups, some of which have been fighting the Myanmar government for decades.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/quan-noi-day-o-myanmar-tuyen-bo-gianh-them-tien-don-20231104182755275.htm