Ethnic armed groups seized a handful of outposts as they pressed their offensive against the junta in the north of the country, local media reports said.
Fighting has ramped up across vast swathes of northern Shan state near the Chinese border this week, forcing over 23,000 people from their homes, according to the UN.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) say they have captured dozens of outposts and four towns and blocked vital trade routes to China.
Local media reports said TNLA fighters seized two outposts controlled by pro-military militia near Lashio yesterday, the largest town in northern Shan state and home to the military’s northeastern command.
The MNDAA said it had seized three military outposts further to the east.
The junta has yet to comment on yesterday’s clashes.
However, on Thursday a spokesman dismissed claims that the alliance had captured several towns in Shan state as “propaganda”.
The junta said yesterday that the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), another ethnic armed group based in neighbouring Kachin state, had joined the attacks on its forces, and that it would retaliate.
Local media reported the junta had shelled the remote town of Laiza on the Chinese border, home to the KIA’s headquarters.
Journalists were stopped yesterday in China’s Yunnan province at a permanent police checkpoint about 50km up the valley from the border crossing of Chinshwehaw, which the Myanmar military said on Wednesday it had lost control over.
Chinese policemen said only people living beyond the checkpoint or others who had gained special authorisation could currently pass, due to recent security concerns about ongoing clashes occurring across the border.
“We’re now in special circumstances,” an officer said. “Unless necessary, no one can go in.” — AFP
