Myanmar army engaged in fierce fighting with rebel groups, China spoke up

Myanmar's military government seized power in a coup on February 1, 2021. This has led to new clashes with powerful rebel groups in Shan State in northern Myanmar.

A coalition of rebel groups launched coordinated attacks on military positions in northern Myanmar on October 27, according to AFP.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) announced today that it has seized three military outposts, including two located near Mongko, not far from the border with China.

MNDAA also ambushed a group of soldiers from the Hopang region of Shan State and seized military equipment. The group did not provide details on the number of casualties.

Quân đội Myanmar giao tranh ác liệt với các nhóm nổi dậy, Trung Quốc lên tiếng - Ảnh 1. — Members of the Myanmar National Democratic League Army walk past a military base captured during clashes near Laukkaing town in Shan state in northern Myanmar on October 28.

In addition, the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) rebel group announced on October 28 that it had captured three military outposts in Namhkam town, also in Shan State, and said that 18 government soldiers were killed. The TNLA also claimed to have captured two military outposts in Lashio town and seized a large amount of military equipment.

In its statement, TNLA said the Myanmar military had deployed a fighter jet and helicopter gunships to Lashio. A local rescue worker said there was heavy shelling for seven hours near Lashio on the night of October 27-28, but the fighting ended today.

Earlier, Myanmar military government spokesman Zaw Min Tun said on October 27 that insurgent groups had attacked military positions in Chinshwehaw, Laukkai and Kunlong regions and several outposts had been captured. "We try to maintain peace and stability in northern Shan, but the insurgents try to destroy stability," Zaw Min Tun said.

Also on October 27, China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing was "closely monitoring" the conflict and called on all sides to prevent the situation from escalating, according to AFP.

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