The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) said on Sunday that military regime boss Min Aung Hlaing again ordered airstrikes against civilian targets in Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State, undermining its efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the area.
The powerful ethnic rebel army last Thursday called on the Chinese government to resolve Myanmar’s conflict and said it would cease fighting immediately and cooperate with Beijing to solve Myanmar’s conflicts through negotiation.
Two days after the MNDAA’s announcement, a junta fighter jet dropped two bombs on residential areas of Lashio, which was liberated by the ethnic armed group in early August. The junta bombing destroyed some civilian houses and injured a resident.
The MNDAA said it was the junta’s fourth airstrike on Lashio since the ethnic armed group took complete control of the city.
“The junta’s brutal actions, which aim to destroy the people’s living conditions and violate human rights, will undoubtedly undermine the efforts of those working to promote the peace process,” the MNDAA said on Sunday.
The MNDAA, Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Arakan Army (AA) comprise the Brotherhood Alliance, which launched the successful Operation 1027 against the regime in northern Shan State with the help of several anti-regime resistance groups.
The operation was launched in October last year and halted in January after the ethnic alliance agreed to a China-brokered ceasefire with the regime. But the attacks resumed in Shan State in June after a series of junta air and artillery strikes on civilian targets and territory under resistance control.
The Brotherhood Alliance has seized most of northern Shan State, liberating around 25 towns and townships including the capital Lashio as well as vital trade routes with China.
In an effort to persuade them to stop fighting the regime, Chinese authorities have put pressure on the MNDAA and TNLA by shutting border gates and halting trade with their territories.
However, fighting is ongoing in Hsipaw and Nawnghkio townships as the TNLA and its allies attempt to seize remaining junta bases there. In response, the junta’s air force continues to bomb Hsipaw and Nawnghkio towns almost daily.
Meanwhile, alliance member the AA has seized most of Rakhine State, capturing over 10 towns and townships since expanding Operation 1027 to western Myanmar in November last year.
