The regime in Naypyidaw, which seized power after the 2021 military coup, and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reached a formal ceasefire agreement on Saturday after the second round of China-brokered talks began in Kunming on Jan. 16.
“Stabilizing the situation in northern Myanmar aligns with the interests of all stakeholders in Myanmar and the region, enhancing security, stability, and development along the China-Myanmar border,” said Mao Ning, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She added that China will continue to support the “peace process” in northern Shan State.
This ceasefire agreement is the second time both sides have agreed to halt the fighting after last January’s China-brokered talks in Kunming. The first round of the revived peace talks began last month in Kunming but broke down when the regime refused to recognize the ethnic armed group’s control of Lashio, the largest city in northern Shan which fell to the MNDAA after it seized the Northeastern Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3.
Details over areas under MNDAA control, including the Kokang Self-Administered Zone’s Laukkai, and the China-Myanmar border towns of Chinshwehaw, Monekoe, Hpawnghseng, Konkyan, Pan Lon, Kunlong, Hsenwi (Theinni), Tamoenye and Pang Hseng, were not made public.
All towns were seized by the MNDAA during Operation 1027, which was launched by the Brotherhood Alliance on Oct. 27, 2023. The alliance includes the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA).
The TNLA has seized 12 townships in northern Shan, including Mogok in Mandalay Region. The AA has 14 out of Arakan State’s 17 townships under its control. Both continue fighting the military despite a pledge for peace made by the TNLA on Nov. 25. A similar sentiment has been shared by the AA since it seized the Western RMC in Ann Township last month.
The first China-brokered ceasefire agreement began last year on Jan. 11 and ended on June 25 as the Brotherhood Alliance cited the military continual violations of the agreement due to airstrikes on areas under its control.
The regime launched airstrikes on Hsenwi on Jan. 1, which destroyed an unknown number of homes but no casualty figures were shared by the MNDAA.
REUTERS