Myanmar armed group says captured regional military command

4/8/2024 7:41

        A Myanmar ethnic minority armed group said on Saturday (Aug 3) it had captured a regional military command after weeks of clashes, in what would be a major blow to the junta.
        
        Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) fighters have "fully captured the headquarters of the northeast military command" in Lashio in northern Shan state, the group said in a statement.
        
        Fighting has rocked Lashio, which sits on a major trade highway to China, since early July when MNDAA fighters renewed an offensive against the junta.
        
        A junta spokesman could not be reached for comment.
        
        A military source told AFP on Saturday that "soldiers who have been resisting for weeks inside the northeastern command started retreating this morning".