Ethnic armed alliance launches attacks on junta positions in northern Shan State

By Admin 27 Oct 2023

DMG Newsroom
27 October 2023, Chin Shwe Haw, Shan State

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) launched attacks on junta bases at strategic locations in Chin Shwe Haw town, northern Shan State, on Friday morning.

The ethnic armed group has reportedly taken control of the town after attacking at least three junta outposts. The MNDAA has temporarily barred people from leaving or entering the town, according to sources at the front line.

“Many soldiers and police were killed. The fighting is still taking place now at 10:30 am,” said a resident of Chin Shwe Haw.

More than 50 junta soldiers and police were killed in the clashes, and Namtein Bridge on the Hsenwi-Kunlong-Hopan-Mongmaw road leading to Chin Shwe Haw was blown up, according to a source close to the MNDAA.

“All the soldiers and police were down in the town. MNDAA troops have been deployed in the town. Namtein Bridge has been blown up. We have told [Chin Shwe Haw] town residents to flee to Wa State,” said a source on the front line.

More than 50,000 residents of Chin Shwe Haw town have reportedly fled to Namtit in Wa State as the regime carried out air raids outside Chin Shwe Haw.

“There are only MNDAA troops in the town. All the town residents have fled to Wa State. The Chinese border crossing has been closed. Regime helicopters are strafing outside the town,” said a Chin Shwe Haw resident.

MNDAA and allied forces have also prohibited travel along the Lashio-Chin Shwe Haw road and the Lashio-Muse road. Cargo trucks and passenger buses heading to Chin Shwe Haw were stuck on the road.

“We can’t travel on the Lashio-Muse and Lashio-Chin Shwe Haw roads,” said the driver of a Chin Shwe Haw-Lashio bus. “We are returning to Lashio. Namtein Bridge has broken. We saw armoured vehicles and military trucks of the Myanmar military heading up to Chin Shwe Haw.”

Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun told VOA: “There was fighting in the west of Laukkai, but the Myanmar military didn’t lose their bases. Two bases of police and militias were, however, seized. The MNDAA fought in Laukkai, Chin Shwe Haw and east of Kunlong. And combined forces of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army and the Arakan Army attacked near Hsenwi, and a base in the east of Lashio.”

Alongside the Brotherhood Alliance members MNDAA, TNLA and AA, the Bamar People’s Liberation Army and other resistance groups are also fighting the regime in northern Shan State.

In a statement on Friday, the Brotherhood Alliance declared the commencement of “Operation 1027,” explaining: “Our primary objectives in launching this operation are multifaceted and driven by the collective desire to safeguard the lives of civilians, assert our right to self-defence, maintain control over our territory, and respond resolutely to ongoing artillery attacks and airstrikes perpetrated by the State Administration Council (SAC).

The statement added: “Furthermore, we are dedicated to eradicating the oppressive military dictatorship, a shared aspiration of the Myanmar populace.”