Five more Myanmar junta positions in the east of the Mandalay Region ruby town Mogoke reportedly were seized along with arms and ammunition by the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and its allies on Thursday.
The TNLA reported fighting at Yay Kan Taung and Pann Ma Hteik villages after junta advances into the area.
Nine civilians, including three Buddhist nuns, were killed and 10 injured by regime shelling, the armed group reported. The TNLA and its allies seized western Mogoke in early July.
Fighting was also reported in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, on Thursday as the TNLA attacked advancing troops from Light Infantry battalions 501 and 502.
Fighting was reported near the toll gate of Kyaukme as the junta attempted to retake the town from the TNLA.
On Thursday, a junta Y12 airplane bombed Kyaukme Township.
The TNLA accused the regime of targeting Thae Khaw villagers with drones and airstrikes at Nawnghkio Township in Shan State on Thursday. Junta drone bombs also hit Taung Kine village in Mongmit Township in northern Shan on Thursday, according to the TNLA.
The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.
Fellow Brotherhood Alliance member, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), resumed its attacks on Lashio, the northern Shan capital, on Friday, according to the Shan media. The armed group had observed a four-day ceasefire while the Chinese Communist Party was meeting in Beijing.
The Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 on October 27 last year, seizing numerous junta bases, commander centers, 24 battalion headquarters, around 20 towns and trade routes with China.
The operation was halted on January 10 after the Brotherhood Alliance agreed to a China-brokered ceasefire with the regime.
The TNLA resumed the operation on June 25, later followed by the MNDAA.
The alliance and its allies have seized over 80 junta bases and around five towns, including most of Mogoke.
Mandalay People’s Defense Force is moving closer to Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, after seizing around 40 junta bases in adjacent Madaya and Singu townships.
