The Brotherhood Alliance says it took full control of two more towns in northern Shan State at midnight on Sunday after seizing a major junta outpost in Kutkai Township and the 16th Military Operations Command in Hseni.
The alliance of three ethnic armies occupied Hseni in November but had faced resistance from the military command.
The Brotherhood Alliance, comprising the Arakan Army (AA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), has now seized 16 towns in northern Shan State since launching Operation 1027 on Oct. 27.
Kutkai and Hseni are located on the major trade route with China and are directly connected with Lashio, a core junta command center in northern Shan. The seizure of Kutkai and Hseni’s junta bases came just days after the MNDAA declared the whole of Shan State’s Kokang region, bordering China, as a “regime-free-zone” on Jan. 5.
The MNDAA seized the 16th Military Operations Command in Hseni at around 10 am on Sunday while the TNLA captured the Kutkai strategic outpost at around 11 pm.
“Both towns are now under our full control. The MNDAA has taken over in Hseni while we are controlling Kutkai. We don’t have detailed information on those [junta troops] who surrendered,” said a TNLA communications officer.
The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) is also active in Kutkai Township.
On the other side, at least eight junta-allied militias have been operating in the same area.
“Junta troops emerged from the strategic outpost holding a white flag, surrendering to the TNLA. They were ordered to leave the town before morning, so they will be in Lashio by now,” said a Kutkai resident.
However, the TNLA has not said whether surrendering troops were detained or allowed to retreat to the junta’s Northeastern Command at Lashio.
The Brotherhood Alliance said it will continue fighting against junta military targets where its troops have not surrendered to the resistance.
Although the TNLA has taken control of Kutkai town, clashes in the surrounding township were ongoing on Monday. Fierce fighting was also reported in Nawnghkio, Mongmit and Kyaukme townships on Monday.
Since the start of the year, the junta’s military has weakened on every front and its ability to launch counterattacks is being gradually degraded, said the Brotherhood Alliance in a statement released on Monday.
“Junta forces are being depleted both in terms of combatants and weapons,” said the statement.
Operation 1027 is being bolstered by coordinated action by several resistance groups, including the People’s Defense Force under the civilian National Unity Government.
The coordinated offensive has also seized 14 towns in Kachin, Kayah, and Chin states and Sagaing Region, bringing the total number of towns seized by the resistance over the past two months to 30.
