Lashio residents deny reports of MNDAA withdrawal from city

Residents of Lashio say they have seen no evidence that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has begun withdrawing from the city that it has controlled since last August.The denial comes amid rumours that the group, also known as the Kokang army, has been pulling its troops out of Lashio, northern Shan State’s largest city, as part of a Chinese-brokered agreement with Myanmar’s military junta.“Our town is still under the control of the Kokang army,” a Lashio resident told Myanmar Now on Wednesday, denying claims that large numbers of MNDAA troops have left the city in recent days.The source added that an MNDAA officer had told people living in Lashio that the group would base its decision on whether to stay or leave on what residents want.“A Kokang army officer stated in a meeting that the decision depends on orders from higher. . .