A Myanmar ethnic armed group said on Monday (May 6) it had captured a military command and taken hundreds of junta personnel prisoner in western Rakhine state.

Rebel groups capture Myanmar's military base

A rebel alliance in northern&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;has agreed to a ceasefire with the ruling military during China-mediated talks, according to some of the parties involved, after a months-long coordinated offensive that threatened to weaken the junta's grip on power.

The military, which overthrew an elected government in 2021, has been battling an alliance of ethnic minority armies fighting to end its control of their regions since late October. In particular, there has been intense violence along the northern border with China.

The joint offensive, backed by a parallel pro-democracy, civilian-led government, has posed the biggest battlefield challenge to the junta since the coup and caused concern in China about the potential for disruptions to border trade and a refugee influx.

A leader of one of the rebel groups, TNLA, told Reuters on Friday that the "Three Brotherhood Alliance" and the military agreed to a "ceasefire without advancing further". He declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-negotiates-immediate-ceasefire-between-myanmar-army-armed-alliance-679309">China negotiates 'immediate ceasefire' between Myanmar army, armed alliance</a>

"From the (alliance) side, the agreement is to refrain from offensive attacks on enemy camps or towns. From the military side, the agreement is not to engage in attacks through airstrikes, bombardment, or heavy weapons," he said.

China's foreign ministry said on Friday peace talks were held in the Chinese city of Kunming on Jan 10-11, where "the two sides agreed to immediately cease fire and stop the war."

Both parties also pledged not to harm residents at the Chinese border, said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning.

"China hopes that all parties concerned in&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;will earnestly implement the ceasefire agreement already reached and exercise maximum restraint," she said.

Beijing had also said last month the parties had agreed on a temporary ceasefire and to maintain dialogue.

Also watch | Myanmar: 17 killed and 20 injured as fighter jet drops 3 bombs on Kanan village

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But fighting continued in northern Shan State and other regions in the country, with the rebels taking control of a key commercial town, Laukkai, on the Chinese border last week.

More than 300,000 people have been displaced due to the recent violence, and more than 2 million overall since the coup, according to the United Nations.

The conflict has also seen&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;police and military personnel surrender to rebel groups or flee across borders into India.

A spokesperson for&nbsp;Myanmar's junta did not respond to a request for comment.

The two other groups in the rebel alliance, the&nbsp;Myanmar&nbsp;National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA), did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the talks.

A rebel alliance in northern Myanmar has agreed to a ceasefire with the ruling military during China-mediated talks, according to some of the parties involved, after a months-long coordinated offensive that threatened to weaken the junta's grip on power.

A rebel alliance in northern Myanmar has agreed to a ceasefire with the ruling military during China-mediated talks, according to some of the parties involved, after a months-long coordinated offensive that threatened to weaken the junta's grip on power. The military, which overthrew an elected government in 2021, has been battling an alliance of ethnic minority armies fighting to end its control of their regions since late October. In particular, there has been intense violence along the northern border with China. The joint offensive, backed by a parallel pro-democracy, civilian-led government, has posed the biggest battlefield challenge to the junta since the coup and caused concern in China about the potential for disruptions to border trade and a refugee influx. A leader of one of the rebel groups, TNLA, told Reuters on Friday that the "Three Brotherhood Alliance" and the military agreed to a "ceasefire without advancing further". He declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter. Also read: China negotiates 'immediate ceasefire' between Myanmar army, armed alliance "From the (alliance) side, the agreement is to refrain from offensive attacks on enemy camps or towns. From the military side, the agreement is not to engage in attacks through airstrikes, bombardment, or heavy weapons," he said. China's foreign ministry said on Friday peace talks were held in the Chinese city of Kunming on Jan 10-11, where "the two sides agreed to immediately cease fire and stop the war." Both parties also pledged not to harm residents at the Chinese border, said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning. "China hopes that all parties concerned in Myanmar will earnestly implement the ceasefire agreement already reached and exercise maximum restraint," she said. Beijing had also said last month the parties had agreed on a temporary ceasefire and to maintain dialogue. Also watch | Myanmar: 17 killed and 20 injured as fighter jet drops 3 bombs on Kanan village × But fighting continued in northern Shan State and other regions in the country, with the rebels taking control of a key commercial town, Laukkai, on the Chinese border last week. More than 300,000 people have been displaced due to the recent violence, and more than 2 million overall since the coup, according to the United Nations. The conflict has also seen Myanmar police and military personnel surrender to rebel groups or flee across borders into India. A spokesperson for Myanmar's junta did not respond to a request for comment. The two other groups in the rebel alliance, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and the Arakan Army (AA), did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the talks.

Myanmar rebel alliance agrees to ceasefire with ruling military

In the recent years, China has tried to tighten its grip on Myanmar. Myanmar's national debt stands at $10 billion, out of which they owe $4 billion to China.&nbsp;

Reportedly, Myanmar has to pay China $500 million annually.&nbsp;

To impose its influence on Myanmar, the dragon is extending support to the armed groups in the country. The United Wa State Army (UWSA), which is the largest ethnic armed group in Myanmar, has received Chinese money, as well as, gunships.&nbsp;

A Chinese businessman gave this group as much as $1.5 billion and the funding came from a Ponzi scheme. That businessman defrauded nearly a million Chinese investors, who lost nearly $7.6 million. &nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/as-china-pushes-for-bri-why-myanmar-is-coming-close-to-india-312084">Also Read: As China pushes for BRI, why Myanmar is coming close to India</a>

Even Chinese state-owned banks have helped rebel groups in Myanmar. Chinese nationals were accused of funding the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. This is a communist-inspired armed group.&nbsp;

The group was able to complete a crowd-funding campaign to raise the money for military activities against Myanmar's government.&nbsp; 
 
This group used a WeChat account to collect funds worth over $500,000. Payments made by Chinese citizens were allegedly held in Chinese banks. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-debt-trap-increases-amid-budget-deficit-bri-roadblock-312031">Also Read: China's debt trap increases amid budget deficit, BRI roadblock</a>

The dragon’s move could de-stabilize Myanmar, and hence, the Myanmar military has now called out China for supporting the rebel groups in the country.

Last month, Myanmar military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun had revealed that Arkan Army was backed by China. &nbsp;The Arkan Army has been declared a terrorist organisation by Myanmar.&nbsp;

China is using insurgent groups as bargaining chips just to ensure that Naypyidaw honours the belt and road deal. The dragon's tactics pose a direct threat to Indian interests in Myanmar.

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In the recent years, China has tried to tighten its grip on Myanmar. Myanmar's national debt stands at $10 billion, out of which they owe $4 billion to China. Reportedly, Myanmar has to pay China $500 million annually.

In the recent years, China has tried to tighten its grip on Myanmar. Myanmar's national debt stands at $10 billion, out of which they owe $4 billion to China. Reportedly, Myanmar has to pay China $500 million annually. To impose its influence on Myanmar, the dragon is extending support to the armed groups in the country. The United Wa State Army (UWSA), which is the largest ethnic armed group in Myanmar, has received Chinese money, as well as, gunships. A Chinese businessman gave this group as much as $1.5 billion and the funding came from a Ponzi scheme. That businessman defrauded nearly a million Chinese investors, who lost nearly $7.6 million. Also Read: As China pushes for BRI, why Myanmar is coming close to India Even Chinese state-owned banks have helped rebel groups in Myanmar. Chinese nationals were accused of funding the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. This is a communist-inspired armed group. The group was able to complete a crowd-funding campaign to raise the money for military activities against Myanmar's government. This group used a WeChat account to collect funds worth over $500,000. Payments made by Chinese citizens were allegedly held in Chinese banks. Also Read: China's debt trap increases amid budget deficit, BRI roadblock The dragon’s move could de-stabilize Myanmar, and hence, the Myanmar military has now called out China for supporting the rebel groups in the country. Last month, Myanmar military spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun had revealed that Arkan Army was backed by China. The Arkan Army has been declared a terrorist organisation by Myanmar. China is using insurgent groups as bargaining chips just to ensure that Naypyidaw honours the belt and road deal. The dragon's tactics pose a direct threat to Indian interests in Myanmar.

Rebel groups in Myanmar have China's backing: Report