The army of Myanmar’s National Democratic Alliance Army has announced its capture of the Northeast Command of the Armed Forces, located in Lashio, the capital of Shan State in eastern Myanmar.
On Thursday morning, the militia stormed the compound after 23 days of intense fighting, declaring it a "historic victory," as reported by the news outlet Irrawaddy. The city of Lashio remains contested between the two sides.
This significant achievement marks a major step for the rebel forces in their ongoing struggle against the military regime that has ruled Myanmar since the February 2021 coup. The Northeast Command is one of thirteen military commands across the country, and its loss is particularly impactful due to its strategic position along the southern border with China.
Since taking power, the junta has brutally suppressed any resistance, launching airstrikes against rebel positions. According to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) in Myanmar, over 5,453 civilians have lost their lives since the coup. The military seized power to nullify the results of the November 2020 general elections, where the National League for Democracy (NLD), led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, claimed a parliamentary majority. Currently, Aung San Suu Kyi remains imprisoned, and the AAPP has reported a staggering 27,109 political detentions, with 20,795 individuals still behind bars.
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