The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has taken full control of the junta’s Northeastern Regional Military Command headquarters in Lashio, the group claimed on Thursday.
In a social media post, the ethnic Kokang armed group said it captured the military command headquarters at 4am today following intense fighting with junta troops.
“The liberation of Lashio will mark a historic victory in our revolution,” the group declared.
MNDAA has made capturing Lashio the principal goal of its renewed offensive against the regime following the collapse of a Chinese-brokered ceasefire late last month.
The city is the largest in northern Shan State and serves as its administrative centre. It is also situated along major trade routes to China.
The MNDAA began making major progress in its advance on Lashio last Friday, despite the regime’s use of airstrikes and heavy artillery fire to repel attacks.
On Sunday, more than 300 junta troops surrendered en masse, the group said in a video released earlier this week.
Maung Saungkha, the commander of Bamar People’s Liberation Army, another group fighting alongside the MNDAA, confirmed the capture of the regional military command headquarters.
“The junta troops at the headquarters have all scattered today,” he said, speaking to Myanmar Now on Thursday.
Clashes have been reported in Lashio as MNDAA troops move into the city after seizing control of the junta’s Northeastern Regional Military Command headquarters earlier today.
According to local sources, MNDAA troops have already entered the city’s downtown core, and were seen approaching the airport this afternoon.
While most junta troops have fled in disarray, some positioned in high buildings have exchanged fire with MNDAA snipers, sources told Myanmar Now.
On social media, locals reported seeing civilians attempting to flee as they were caught in the crossfire. Others on motorcycles were seen holding white flags.
In some areas, the regime has also carried out airstrikes, raising fears of heavy civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, junta spokesperson Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun has denied losing control of the regional command headquarters in Lashio. Speaking to BBC Burmese, he claimed that the military was still carrying out operations near the city.
However, when contacted by Myanmar Now, Maung Saungkha, the commander of the Bamar People’s Liberation Army, which fought alongside the MNDAA, again confirmed that the command headquarters had fallen.
“Now all we have to do is seize the rest of the nearby hilltop bases and go after those who ran away,” he said.
In a follow-up to a statement released earlier today, the MNDAA told residents of Lashio not to worry as its troops and those of its allies entered the city. It also urged them to go about their business as usual.
However, fears of further aerial assaults by the regime have prompted many to leave, according to one woman.
“People are leaving, but I can’t because I’m worried about losing my property to thieves,” she said, before adding: “Fires are starting to break out from the airstrikes.”
