The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) told DVB that it will return Lashio Township, in northern Shan State, to military regime control before the end of the month. Lashio is located 107 miles (172 km) south of the Myanmar-China border town of Muse and 243 miles (391 km) north of the Shan State capital Taunggyi.
“Before the end of April, the regime officials will return to work in Lashio,” a source from the MNDAA told DVB on the condition of anonymity. He added that all those working for the MNDAA administration will leave town before the end of April.
Lashio came under MNDAA control when it seized the military’s Regional Military Command (RMC) headquarters on Aug. 3.
The MNDAA has agreed to hand back all 12 neighborhoods in Lashio town. But it states that it will continue to administer villages in the township under its newly-established Special Region 1, which includes the Kokang Self-Administered Zone now completely under MNDAA control.
“The military threatened to carry out airstrikes if [we] refused to withdraw. China has threatened a blockade on business and border trade,” added the source.
He warned Lashio residents aged 18 to 35 to be prepared for military conscription once the regime re-establishes control of Lashio. The conscription law was enforced by the regime in Naypyidaw on Feb. 10, 2024.
The withdrawal from Lashio is the final stage of the China-brokered ceasefire agreement which was reached between the MNDAA and the regime on Jan. 18.
“I don’t mind other ethnic armed groups taking over the town. But what if the regime troops return to rule with the same brutality as before?” a Lashio resident told DVB on the condition of anonymity, fearing repercussions from the returning forces loyal to Naypyidaw.
Following the earthquake on March 28, the MNDAA offered to facilitate emergency aid to central Myanmar, but this was rejected by Naypyidaw.
The Brotherhood Alliance, which includes the MNDAA, along with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and the Arakan Army (AA), declared a one-month humanitarian ceasefire from April 1-30.
The MNDAA announced on Monday that it will not allow any festivities in Lashio during Thingyan, April 13-16, despite having already constructed water pavilions in areas it controls, including in the Kokang SAZ, out of respect for the over 4,000 killed by the earthquake on March 28.
It stated that all of the expenses it planned to use for the Thingyan water festival will be donated to earthquake relief in central Myanmar. The MNDAA has yet to officially announce its withdrawal from Lashio.
