Military sources in Naypyidaw told DVB that the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) released 45 “prisoners” that it had held in detention since its seizure of Lashio Township in northern Shan State, on Oct. 14.
A military source in Naypyidaw told DVB on the condition of anonymity that three majors, one colonel, one warrant officer first class, two warrant officers second class, and five sergeants were among the 45 prisoners released by the MNDAA.
The source added that this is the third or fourth time that the MNDAA has released military personnel it had detained after launching an offensive called “Operation 1027” on Oct. 27, 2023 in northern Shan along with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA).
Lashio came under MNDAA control after it seized the regime’s Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3, 2024. It was handed back to the regime in April as a part of a China-brokered ceasefire agreement reached on Jan. 18.
Zin Yaw, a military defector who joined the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) following the 2021 coup, told DVB that a regime counteroffensive in northern Shan is retaking territory so that it can hold its elections in more townships. The regime scheduled elections will begin on Dec. 28.
Since late-2023, the MNDAA seized the Kokang Self-Administered Zone’s Laukkai, as well as China-Myanmar border towns of Chinshwehaw, Monekoe, Hpawnghseng, Konkyan, Pan Lon, Kunlong, Hsenwi, Tamoenye and Pang Hseng townships of northern Shan.
The regime counteroffensive launched in northern Shan in July has recaptured Nawnghkio and Kyaukme, which had been seized by the TNLA in 2024.
Ethnic armed groups, like the MNDAA, the TNLA, and the AA, along with its allies in the People’s Defence Force (PDF) have seized 103 towns in Myanmar since the uprising to the 2021 coup began.
At least 10 towns have been recaptured by regime forces during its ongoing counteroffensive, according to DVB data.
A source close to the MNDAA told DVB in June that the ethnic armed group agreed to hand over Hsenwi Township to the regime in September but no official statement has been made by either side since then. Hsenwi, seized by the MNDAA in November 2023, is located 31 miles (50 km) north of the regional capital Lashio.
