Rebel Militia Claims Military Command Centre in Myanmar – A Major Blow to the Junta
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has asserted that it has successfully taken control of the regional military command center in Lashio, Shan State. This represents the first time that the ruling military junta has lost such a strategic facility since the conflict began over three years ago.
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing acknowledged in a televised address that some security forces in the area had abandoned their outposts, citing public safety as their priority. However, specific details regarding the fall of the command center were not disclosed.
The MNDAA, an armed ethnic group in Myanmar, proudly declared that their fighters had “fully captured the headquarters of the northeast military command” in Lashio, a city located in northern Shan State. Major General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for Myanmar’s ruling military council, supported this claim, admitting that the junta had lost communication with the command center’s commanders and acknowledging unconfirmed reports of some being arrested by the MNDAA. However, the direct admission of the facility’s capture was not made.
Richard Horsey, a senior Myanmar advisor at Crisis Group, emphasized the critical role of the 14 command centers scattered across the country, referring to them as the “nerve center” of the military’s operations. He expressed that the loss of such a crucial stronghold has dealt a significant blow to the military’s morale and raised doubts about their overall capability and chances of victory in future battles.
In a video broadcast on state television, Senior General Hlaing vaguely addressed the base’s fall, attributing the departure of some security forces to their commitment to ensuring public safety. He also accused the ethnic resistance forces and external “traitor maggots” of collaborating to spread demoralizing propaganda.
The military has faced substantial setbacks in recent months due to intensified pressure from armed groups across the country, resulting in casualties among both the junta and local rescue groups.
Lashio, the largest city in Shan State, serves as a commercial hub connecting Mandalay and Muse, a city on the China border. Despite the MNDAA’s claim of capturing the military command center, the United Wa State Army (UWSA), Myanmar’s largest armed ethnic group, has also made significant strides in the area, taking control of Lashio’s administration.
The presence of the UWSA in Lashio has implications for China, which has vested interests in the stability of its neighboring country. Beijing has recently increased its engagement with Myanmar’s junta leaders, aiming to safeguard Chinese infrastructure, investments, and nationals in Myanmar. This strategic move by the UWSA makes it more challenging for the regime to conduct military operations in Lashio, thus aligning with China’s objectives.
As the situation in Myanmar continues to evolve, it is evident that the power dynamics and alliances are in flux, with significant implications for the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Source: ABC/Wires
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