Military Regional HQ in Myanmar Seized by Junta and Ethnic Armed Group

Myanmar’s junta and an ethnic minority armed group both claimed control of a town and regional military command in northern Shan state following clashes. Lashio, home to the military’s northeastern command, has been rocked by fighting since July 3 when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against junta troops. Local media reported the MNDAA captured the headquarters of the Northeast Military command in Lashio and also the town itself, but the junta spokesman denied this claim. The northeastern command is located in the north of Lashio where recent fighting has taken place. Northern Shan state has been experiencing intense fighting since late last month when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed their offensive against the military along the highway to China’s Yunnan province. China, a major ally to the junta, is also believed to have ties with armed ethnic groups in Myanmar. Myanmar’s borderlands have been the scene of conflict between ethnic armed groups and the military for decades, with recent clashes leading to dozens of civilian casualties.