Myanmar's ethnic minority fighters capture key trading town near China border

Ethnic minority fighters combating Myanmar’s junta have claimed capturing a trading hub in Shan state, after China’s announcement of a temporary ceasefire.

Myanmar’s Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) said they captured Namhsan on Friday after carrying out an attack in the area more than two weeks ago.

Myanmar’s ethnic arm organization, Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) launched a joint offensive late October.

The three allied groups, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, say they captured military positions and border hubs vital for trade with China. 

Analysts say the capture is the biggest military challenge to the junta since it seized power in 2021.

According to TNLA, the Myanmar army also lost the 105-Mile Trade Zone which is a major trading channel on the border with China, with the fighting going on.

In total, the three-group alliance says they have seized 422 bases and seven towns from Myanmar's army since October 27.

The offensive has led to the expansion of the clashes from east to west of the country, emboldening other opponents to fight the junta.

China's foreign ministry said Friday the country has been host to peace talks in recent days.

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The ruling junta has reported “heavy assaults” in several places recently.

"China has been working tirelessly to stop the war and promote talks among the relevant parties in Myanmar, and has pushed for the de-escalation and cooling-down of the situation," ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

The ethnically diverse country has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup, when the military ousted a government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.

The coup brought unprecedented coordination between anti-military forces that are mounting the biggest challenge to the army in years. The military has been ruling Myanmar for 50 years after seizing power in 1962.

The 2021 coup dashed hopes for reform and generated opposition that has united pro-democracy activists in towns and cities with ethnic minority forces fighting for self-determination in hinterlands.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern about the “expansion of conflict in Myanmar” and called for all parties to protect civilians, a UN spokesperson said.

“The number of displaced people in Myanmar now exceeds two million.”

Clashes have sent millions of refugees into Myanmar’s neighboring countries. UNICEF says more than 960,000 Rohingya Muslims – who fled the massacre led by the military – are mostly in refugee camps in Bangladesh and in desperate need of humanitarian aid.

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