Myanmar ethnic minority fighters said Wednesday they had seized a town along a key trade highway to China following days of clashes, in another blow to the military.

Northern Shan state has been rocked by fighting since late last month, when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against the military along the highway to China's Yunnan province.

The clashes have shredded a Beijing-brokered truce that in January halted an offensive by the alliance of the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/myanmar-ethnic-armed-group-says-captured-hundreds-of-junta-personnel-718665">Myanmar ethnic armed group says captured hundreds of junta personnel</a>

The town of Naungcho "is totally ours", General Tar Bhone Kyaw of the TNLA told AFP.&nbsp;

Earlier Wednesday, a military source told AFP that ethnic minority fighters were in control of "most" of the town.

AFP was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment.&nbsp;

Naungcho is around 50 kilometres (30 miles) down the highway from the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin, home to the military's elite officer training academy.&nbsp;

Another road from the town leads to Taunggyi, the capital of Shan state.&nbsp;

TNLA fighters were also inside the town of Lashio, home to the junta's northeastern command, the TNLA said.

Its forces had briefly captured a battallion command near the city but had been forced to retreat when the military launched air strikes, said Tar Bhone Kyaw.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Myanmar: Junta under pressure as intense fighting breaks out in northeastern Myanmar

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-junta-under-pressure-as-intense-fighting-breaks-out-in-northeastern-myanmar-738580/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

On Tuesday the junta said 18 civilians in Lashio had been killed and 24 wounded in shelling, rocket and drone attacks by the alliance.

The military has carried out several air strikes around the town of about 150,000 people, according to residents.

<h2>Fleeing in convoys</h2>

On Tuesday Lashio residents piled into cars weighed down with belongings and navigated potholed and monsoon-soaked dirt roads in a bid to flee the fighting, AFP images showed.&nbsp;

On Monday around 45 people crowded onto a boat to be taken across a river swollen by the monsoon rains.

Myanmar's borderlands are home to myriad ethnic armed groups who have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948 for autonomy and control of lucrative resources.

Some have given shelter and training to newer "People's Defence Forces" (PDFs) that have sprung up to battle the military after it ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government in 2021.

In recent days, PDF fighters have battled junta forces in Madaya township, around an hour north of second city Mandalay.

Amid the renewed fighting last week, top junta general Soe Win travelled to China to discuss security cooperation along their shared border.

China is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, but analysts say Beijing also maintains ties with Myanmar's armed ethnic groups holding territory near its border.&nbsp;

Myanmar ethnic minority fighters said Wednesday they had seized a town along a key trade highway to China following days of clashes, in another blow to the military.

Myanmar ethnic minority fighters said Wednesday they had seized a town along a key trade highway to China following days of clashes, in another blow to the military. Northern Shan state has been rocked by fighting since late last month, when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against the military along the highway to China's Yunnan province. The clashes have shredded a Beijing-brokered truce that in January halted an offensive by the alliance of the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA). Also read | Myanmar ethnic armed group says captured hundreds of junta personnel The town of Naungcho "is totally ours", General Tar Bhone Kyaw of the TNLA told AFP. Earlier Wednesday, a military source told AFP that ethnic minority fighters were in control of "most" of the town. AFP was unable to reach a junta spokesman for comment. Naungcho is around 50 kilometres (30 miles) down the highway from the former British hill station of Pyin Oo Lwin, home to the military's elite officer training academy. Another road from the town leads to Taunggyi, the capital of Shan state. TNLA fighters were also inside the town of Lashio, home to the junta's northeastern command, the TNLA said. Its forces had briefly captured a battallion command near the city but had been forced to retreat when the military launched air strikes, said Tar Bhone Kyaw. Also watch | Myanmar: Junta under pressure as intense fighting breaks out in northeastern Myanmar × On Tuesday the junta said 18 civilians in Lashio had been killed and 24 wounded in shelling, rocket and drone attacks by the alliance. The military has carried out several air strikes around the town of about 150,000 people, according to residents. Fleeing in convoys On Tuesday Lashio residents piled into cars weighed down with belongings and navigated potholed and monsoon-soaked dirt roads in a bid to flee the fighting, AFP images showed. On Monday around 45 people crowded onto a boat to be taken across a river swollen by the monsoon rains. Myanmar's borderlands are home to myriad ethnic armed groups who have battled the military since independence from Britain in 1948 for autonomy and control of lucrative resources. Some have given shelter and training to newer "People's Defence Forces" (PDFs) that have sprung up to battle the military after it ousted Aung San Suu Kyi's government in 2021. In recent days, PDF fighters have battled junta forces in Madaya township, around an hour north of second city Mandalay. Amid the renewed fighting last week, top junta general Soe Win travelled to China to discuss security cooperation along their shared border. China is a major ally and arms supplier to the junta, but analysts say Beijing also maintains ties with Myanmar's armed ethnic groups holding territory near its border.

Myanmar-China showdown? Ethnic armed group claims control of highway town to China

Myanmar pro-democracy fighters in a battered pickup truck drive past abandoned and bombed-out houses in the eastern city of&nbsp;Loikaw, on their way to the front lines of the battle to capture their first state capital from the junta.

"Our soldiers are from&nbsp;Loikaw&nbsp;township and it's the main reason we are motivated. We all are doing our best with the hope of going back to our homes,"&nbsp;said Lin Lin, their leader.

He belongs to one of the dozens of "People's Defence Force" groups (PDFs) that sprung up across Myanmar to fight the military's 2021 coup and are now determined to capture&nbsp;Loikaw&nbsp; and deal a blow to the country's rulers.

PDFs and allied ethnic minority groups have been battling the Myanmar army for weeks in and around&nbsp;Loikaw, a city nestled in lush hills and home to around 50,000 people in eastern Kayah state.

Thousands of residents have already fled air attacks, artillery bombardments and urban battles, PDF&nbsp;fighters said.

Earlier this week, the streets were silent apart from the sounds of sporadic artillery fire.

"At the moment the military is on the defensive," said Lin Lin.

The junta is reeling from an offensive by three ethnic minority groups along the rugged northern border with China that has captured several towns and blocked vital trade routes.

This offensive, dubbed "Operation 1027" after the date it was launched five weeks ago, is the biggest challenge faced by Myanmar's army since it seized power.

Soon after clashes erupted in northern Shan state, other PDF groups opened new fronts in several other states, including Kayah.

Inside&nbsp;Loikaw, footage obtained by AFP shows abandoned houses and shops and streets pockmarked by explosions.

Buildings have been damaged by artillery shells and on some street corners positions fortified with sandbags can be seen.

The military was holed up in the city police station and other buildings, Khun Bedu, the chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), one of the groups fighting in&nbsp;Loikaw, told AFP.

With ground troops pinned down, the military was relying on its air and artillery strikes to support its troops, Khun Bedu said.

The military "called in airstrikes on us in many places in the town last night", he told AFP on Friday. "We will continue to fight."&nbsp;

The KNDF posted footage two weeks ago that it said showed its fighters receiving the surrender of junta troops who had been holed up in the city's university.&nbsp;

The KNDF and allied fighters have also made several attempts to seize&nbsp;Loikaw's main prison, which have been beaten back, according to the KNDF and the military.&nbsp;

<h2>Still 'under control '</h2>

Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said on Wednesday the weeks-long assault on&nbsp;Loikaw&nbsp;had shown "excessive strength".&nbsp;

But he maintained the&nbsp;Loikaw&nbsp;region was "under control".

The United Nations said it evacuated most of its staff from&nbsp;Loikaw&nbsp;last month due to "aerial bombardment of the town and active fighting" in its streets.

In the north, the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have since seized dozens of military outposts.

More than 500,000 people have been displaced across Myanmar since the launch of "Operation 1027", according to the UN.

Around 70 per cent of&nbsp;Loikaw's population is thought to have fled in recent weeks, with PDF groups claiming the military had blocked roads and tried to prevent civilians from fleeing the city.

Pro-democracy fighters say they are battling on, spurred by the prize of seizing a state capital in what would be a major victory in their fight against the junta.

But some are worried about the cost to their fighters, and to the city itself.

"The military have lost many soldiers and they are weak right now," said Lin Lin.&nbsp;

"We are only afraid of their air strikes."

Myanmar pro-democracy fighters in a battered pickup truck drive past abandoned and bombed-out houses in the eastern city of Loikaw, on their way to the front lines of the battle to capture their first state capital from the junta.

Myanmar pro-democracy fighters in a battered pickup truck drive past abandoned and bombed-out houses in the eastern city of Loikaw, on their way to the front lines of the battle to capture their first state capital from the junta. "Our soldiers are from Loikaw township and it's the main reason we are motivated. We all are doing our best with the hope of going back to our homes," said Lin Lin, their leader. He belongs to one of the dozens of "People's Defence Force" groups (PDFs) that sprung up across Myanmar to fight the military's 2021 coup and are now determined to capture Loikaw and deal a blow to the country's rulers. PDFs and allied ethnic minority groups have been battling the Myanmar army for weeks in and around Loikaw, a city nestled in lush hills and home to around 50,000 people in eastern Kayah state. Thousands of residents have already fled air attacks, artillery bombardments and urban battles, PDF fighters said. Earlier this week, the streets were silent apart from the sounds of sporadic artillery fire. "At the moment the military is on the defensive," said Lin Lin. The junta is reeling from an offensive by three ethnic minority groups along the rugged northern border with China that has captured several towns and blocked vital trade routes. This offensive, dubbed "Operation 1027" after the date it was launched five weeks ago, is the biggest challenge faced by Myanmar's army since it seized power. Soon after clashes erupted in northern Shan state, other PDF groups opened new fronts in several other states, including Kayah. Inside Loikaw, footage obtained by AFP shows abandoned houses and shops and streets pockmarked by explosions. Buildings have been damaged by artillery shells and on some street corners positions fortified with sandbags can be seen. The military was holed up in the city police station and other buildings, Khun Bedu, the chairman of the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF), one of the groups fighting in Loikaw, told AFP. With ground troops pinned down, the military was relying on its air and artillery strikes to support its troops, Khun Bedu said. The military "called in airstrikes on us in many places in the town last night", he told AFP on Friday. "We will continue to fight." The KNDF posted footage two weeks ago that it said showed its fighters receiving the surrender of junta troops who had been holed up in the city's university. The KNDF and allied fighters have also made several attempts to seize Loikaw's main prison, which have been beaten back, according to the KNDF and the military. Still 'under control ' Junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said on Wednesday the weeks-long assault on Loikaw had shown "excessive strength". But he maintained the Loikaw region was "under control". The United Nations said it evacuated most of its staff from Loikaw last month due to "aerial bombardment of the town and active fighting" in its streets. In the north, the Arakan Army (AA), the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have since seized dozens of military outposts. More than 500,000 people have been displaced across Myanmar since the launch of "Operation 1027", according to the UN. Around 70 per cent of Loikaw's population is thought to have fled in recent weeks, with PDF groups claiming the military had blocked roads and tried to prevent civilians from fleeing the city. Pro-democracy fighters say they are battling on, spurred by the prize of seizing a state capital in what would be a major victory in their fight against the junta. But some are worried about the cost to their fighters, and to the city itself. "The military have lost many soldiers and they are weak right now," said Lin Lin. "We are only afraid of their air strikes."

Myanmar pro-democracy fighters battle to take state capital

The United Nations said on Friday (Nov 18) that more than 26,000 people were displaced in Myanmar's Rakhine state as the war between the military junta and ethnic groups rages on.

The United Nations said on Friday (Nov 18) that more than 26,000 people were displaced in Myanmar's Rakhine state as the war between the military junta and ethnic groups rages on. In an update, the United Nations Office of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said that fresh clashes between the Arakan Army (AA) and the military "resulted in the displacement of 26,175 people" across Rakhine, the news agency AFP reported. On Monday, AA fighters launched attacks on security personnel in Rakhine and neighbouring Chin state, ending a ceasefire and opening another front as the military battled opponents in the north and the east. The UNOCHA said that at least 11 people had been killed in military shelling of AA positions since Monday. The UN agency also said that virtually all roads and waterways connecting Rakhine townships had been blocked, and most humanitarian activities in affected townships had been suspended. Over 100 detained by junta since renewed clashes Over 100 people were reportedly detained by the junta since the renewed clashes. Also read: Over 5,000 Myanmar refugees including soldiers flee to India's Mizoram for refuge amid border clashes Since late October, AA fighters in alliance with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance (MNDAA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) seized towns and blocked vital trade routes to Myanmar's northern neighbour. The civil war has also spread to Myanmar's western and eastern borders. According to analysts, this is the biggest military challenge to the junta since 2021, when it ousted the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. UN urges humane treatment of captured soldiers The UN said on Friday that soldiers captured amid the ongoing civil war should be treated humanely. "Individual soldiers are not collectively responsible for crimes and human rights violations that have been committed by the military," UN rights office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence told reporters in Geneva. "It is essential that all those captured are treated humanely," he added. "Amidst rapidly changing circumstances on the ground, it is imperative that all parties strictly respect international human rights law and international humanitarian law, particularly to protect civilians," the UN official further said and pointed out that he was particularly alarmed by renewed fighting between the military and AA in Rakhine. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar civil war: UN says fresh clashes in Rakhine displaced over 26,000

Nearly a dozen civilians were reportedly killed in Myanmar's Mandalay region's Madaya township on Thursday (Nov 17), about 270 km north of capital Naypyidaw, Radio Free Asia reported, as part of the latest flashpoint of violence in the South Asian country's ongoing civil war.&nbsp;

The publication reported the 10 victims were aged between 30 and 50. They were reportedly tied up and shot by a column of 70 soldiers passing by a tea shop in the Madaya township of Mandalay region along the Mandalay-Mogoke highway.&nbsp;

"These men, including the shop owner, were tied with their hands behind their backs before they were killed," a local resident was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia on the condition of anonymity.

<h2>Myanmar civil war: How were the men killed?</h2>

According to local defence forces cited by the publication, the mobilisation of junta troops occurred at around 6 am on Thursday. The mobilisation occurred to reinforce soldiers at an outpost near the border of Madaya and Singu townships.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/aung-san-suu-kyi-moved-to-house-arrest-amidst-ongoing-myanmar-crisis-619978">Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi moved from jail to house arrest amidst ongoing crisis</a>

Less than a kilometre from a conflict area, the military column arrived at the tea shop from where hundreds of the residents had fled the fighting between junta troops and separatists owing allegiance to the People's Defense Force or PDF group.&nbsp;

The identity of those killed could not be ascertained because the junta soldiers confiscated the mobile phones of men at the tea shop, Radio Free Asia report added while citing the resident.

Also watch |&nbsp;Myanmar rebel groups take control of a border post with India, capture several towns | WION

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/myanmar-rebel-groups-take-control-of-a-border-post-with-india-capture-several-towns-wion-659244/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The representatives of Myanmar's junta are yet to react to the report.

Besides, on Thursday, 10 civilians were killed when two junta airstrikes in southern Chin state hit residences.

"The victims included an entire family and some children," a resident was quoted as saying by the Radio Free Asia.&nbsp;

"The attack occurred without any battle."

Myanmar remains under military rule since February 2021 when a coup ousted the democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Nearly a dozen civilians were reportedly killed in Myanmar's Mandalay region's Madaya township on Thursday (Nov 17), about 270 km north of capital Naypyidaw, Radio Free Asia reported, as part of the latest flashpoint of violence in the South Asian country's ongoing civil war.

Nearly a dozen civilians were reportedly killed in Myanmar's Mandalay region's Madaya township on Thursday (Nov 17), about 270 km north of capital Naypyidaw, Radio Free Asia reported, as part of the latest flashpoint of violence in the South Asian country's ongoing civil war. The publication reported the 10 victims were aged between 30 and 50. They were reportedly tied up and shot by a column of 70 soldiers passing by a tea shop in the Madaya township of Mandalay region along the Mandalay-Mogoke highway. "These men, including the shop owner, were tied with their hands behind their backs before they were killed," a local resident was quoted as saying by Radio Free Asia on the condition of anonymity. Myanmar civil war: How were the men killed? According to local defence forces cited by the publication, the mobilisation of junta troops occurred at around 6 am on Thursday. The mobilisation occurred to reinforce soldiers at an outpost near the border of Madaya and Singu townships. Also read | Myanmar: Aung San Suu Kyi moved from jail to house arrest amidst ongoing crisis Less than a kilometre from a conflict area, the military column arrived at the tea shop from where hundreds of the residents had fled the fighting between junta troops and separatists owing allegiance to the People's Defense Force or PDF group. The identity of those killed could not be ascertained because the junta soldiers confiscated the mobile phones of men at the tea shop, Radio Free Asia report added while citing the resident. Also watch | Myanmar rebel groups take control of a border post with India, capture several towns | WION × The representatives of Myanmar's junta are yet to react to the report. Besides, on Thursday, 10 civilians were killed when two junta airstrikes in southern Chin state hit residences. "The victims included an entire family and some children," a resident was quoted as saying by the Radio Free Asia. "The attack occurred without any battle." Myanmar remains under military rule since February 2021 when a coup ousted the democratically elected members of the country's ruling party, the National League for Democracy. (With inputs from agencies)

Myanmar civil war: 10 men shot dead by junta troops in Mandalay region, report says

Myanmar's deposed leader and Nobel Peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi was jailed for seven years for corruption on Friday by a military court. Watch this video to know more.

Myanmar court finds Suu Kyi guilty on 5 counts of corruption

myanmar-civil-war

Myanmar Civil War, News on Myanmar Civil War, stories on Myanmar Civil War, articles on Myanmar Civil War, Myanmar Civil War stories at Wion, Myanmar Civil War news, Myanmar Civil War latest news

myanmar civil-war

Myanmar-China showdown? Ethnic armed group claims control of highway town to China

Myanmar pro-democracy fighters battle to take state capital

Myanmar civil war: UN says fresh clashes in Rakhine displaced over 26,000

Myanmar civil war: 10 men shot dead by junta troops in Mandalay region, report says

Myanmar court finds Suu Kyi guilty on 5 counts of corruption