FROM THE DVB NEWSROOM
Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang Self-Administered Zone located in northern Shan State near the China-Myanmar border, came under the control of the Brotherhood Alliance after the military’s Laukkai Regional Operation Command surrendered to the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) on Jan. 4.
It is the first regional operation command center to fall in the last 70 days of fighting since the MNDAA, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA), launched Operation 1027 on Oct. 27, 2023.
The MNDAA stated that 2,000 troops, including six high-ranking officers, and civil servants from the military’s administration surrendered and were evacuated to the Northeastern Military Command Headquarters in Lashio. The northern Shan State capital is now surrounded by Brotherhood Alliance forces.
Over 300 military bases and 20 towns, including 11 in northern Shan State, have come under the control of resistance forces nationwide with the goal of ending military dictatorship in Myanmar.
A ceasefire brokered by China on Dec. 11 – meant to last for 20 days – ended as airstrikes were carried out on MNDAA positions around Laukkai on Dec. 18. A second round of talks were held in Kunming, China from Dec. 22-24 but failed, as the MNDAA stepped up its offensive. A third round of talks is expected Jan. 7-9.
MNDAA spokesperson Li Kyar Win has not yet responded to an interview request from DVB. Military regime spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that it has exercised restraint in Laukkai as it wants to maintain good relations with China.
