YANGON: An alliance of ethnic minority armed groups in Myanmar, known as the Three Brotherhood Alliance, has announced a temporary ceasefire agreement with the military junta in northern Shan state. This ceasefire follows recent clashes where alliance fighters reportedly gained control of strategic territory along a vital highway leading to China.
Major-General Tar Bhone Kyaw of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) confirmed to AFP that the ceasefire will be effective from July 14 to July 18 in northern Shan state. However, he noted that the ceasefire does not extend to the neighboring Mandalay region, where clashes between alliance members and junta forces have also been ongoing.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance comprises the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). These groups have been actively opposing the military junta since it seized power in a coup in 2021, overthrowing the civilian government led by Aung San Suu Kyi.
The recent fighting escalated late last month when the alliance launched an offensive along the highway towards China’s Yunnan province, resulting in the capture of two towns including Naungcho, which is strategically significant being near Pyin Oo Lwin, home to Myanmar’s elite military academy.
The clashes have also impacted Lashio, another key town in northern Shan state housing the military’s northeastern command. Both sides have reported casualties among civilians and combatants, although specific figures have not been disclosed.
Myanmar’s border regions have long been plagued by conflicts between the military and various ethnic armed groups seeking autonomy and control over resources.
