The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and its allies seized the junta’s Kunlong tactical command base in northern Shan State last week, according to a video the ethnic Kokang armed group posted online on Sunday.
The town of Kunlong, located between the Wa and Kokang self-administered areas, is also situated on a major trade route along the China-Myanmar border, giving it both commercial and military importance.
Sunday’s video, filmed after Myanmar army troops had abandoned the base, showed that they had left behind two armoured vehicles, six military trucks, and a significant amount of artillery, seized by the resistance.
Accompanied by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), the MNDAA overran the Kunlong post on November 9 after nearly a week of battles. Intense fighting continued for the next two days, until the three ethnic armed organisations, which together call themselves the Brotherhood Alliance, also claimed control of the town of Kunlong.
Footage released by the MNDAA showed deserted streets and closed shops, and Brotherhood Alliance soldiers raising their flag over the Kunlong police station.
The TNLA also reported seizing a junta base and a bridge between the northern Shan State towns of Kyaukme and Hsipaw after a three-hour battle that concluded on Sunday at 5:30am.
A spokesperson from the group confirmed to Myanmar Now that the TNLA had raided the outpost where around 50 junta soldiers and police officers had been stationed near the Kyin Thi bridge on the Mandalay-Lashio national highway.
