YANGON: Myanmar’s military withdrew from some positions close to China’s border to prioritise the “safety of people”, the junta chief said, days after an alliance of ethnic armed groups said they had routed state troops in the area.
Shan State in eastern Myanmar has been rocked by fighting since late June when the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) renewed an offensive against the military along a major trade highway to China.
“With regard to the situation of Shan State, security forces withdrew their positions by considering the security of current areas and safety of people,” Min Aung Hlaing said in a speech on state television on Monday night (Aug 5).
“The government will continually strive to ensure peace and stability – not only in Shan State, but the entire nation,” he added.
His comments came days after the MNDAA said it had captured a regional military command after weeks of clashes, in a major blow to the junta.
Alliance fighters “fully captured the headquarters of the northeast military command” in Lashio, the group said in a statement on Saturday.
Junta spokesman Major-General Zaw Min Tun admitted on Monday that the military had lost contact with senior officers from the command after intense fighting.
“We got the last contact with the senior officers at 6.30pm on Aug 3, and we lost contact with them till now,” he said in a statement.
“According to reports that are still being confirmed, it is known that terrorist insurgents arrested some senior officers.”
