Myanmar held a national defence and security meeting on November 8 after some military outposts and towns had been occupied during a ‘1027’ military operation launched by the three-member Northern Alliance in northern Shan State.
It is the third NDSC meeting that the State Administration Council (SAC) has held in its tenure. The first meeting took place in January 31 and the second on July 31 this year. However, the subject matter discussed at the third meeting is different from that of the previous ones.
The first and second meetings were called to discuss the extension of the state of emergency declared in Myanmar, while the third meeting discussed ongoing conflicts in northern Shan State.
At the latest NDSC meeting, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing said on October 27, MNDAA launched attacks with Chinshwehaw in Laukkai region as the main target. Muse and Chinshwehaw are main border trade centres and Laukkai is the town of Kokang Self-Administered Zone. Hence, the MNDAA launched attacks to restore its power.
The group had been making preparations in the Wa region. As well as the three-member Northern Alliance, KIA and PDF came to get involved in the ‘1027’ operation, he said.
MNDAA wishes to get profits from drug production and to resume their influence, so these events happened. There were seizures of drugs worth 71.59 billion kyats in a matter of 17 years in Laukkai and surrounding areas. Due to these benefits from drugs, the MNDAA group is attempting to occupy Laukkai region, he commented.
In 2022, cases of online scams boomed in the region. It was found after investigation that such cases were committed by those from the hotels owned by citizens from other country.
A total of 153 hotels are located in Laukkai and Chinshwehaw. Among them, 12 hotels were built under the permission of the Myanmar Investment Commission. And, the remaining 141 hotels were built under the arrangement of Laukkai Region Administrative Body without permission. Most of the hotels were invested by those from other country. After scrutiny, it was found that online scams and other illegal businesses were being conducted at these hotels. As per the agreement with the Chinese Minister of Public Security to prevent online scams and illegal measures in the region, task forces will be formed between the two countries, he said.
Muse and Chinshwehaw serve as a major border trade route with China. Moreover, there has been a plan to inaugurate a new Kunlong bridge built with Chinese aid on November 11. Under such circumstances, MNDAA launched attacks on the region. As such, it is seriously noticeable for MNDAA’s attacks on that region, the Senior General said.
Such an incident can harm the relations between Myanmar and China. Officials from both sides are addressing the issue that bullets from Myanmar fell in China. The military greatly restricted military operations as that area is a border region. However, other organizations carelessly committed their acts and are intentionally attempting to cause misunderstanding between the two countries.
In Laukkai incidents in Shan State (North), MNDAA groups mainly used drones. These drones can easily be bought in market and these are China-made drones used for manufacturing purposes, the Senior General added.
The MNDAA group is trying to restore power in the Laukkai region, while the TNLA and the Kokang are trying to establish Palaung State and Kokang State respectively. Regarding the clashes in northern Shan State, the military will necessary retaliatory measures, he said.
The NDSC meeting was attended by Acting President U Myint Swe, Vice President U Henry Van Thio, Speaker of the Lower House U T Khun Myat, Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Defence Services Commander-in-Chief (Army) Vice-Senior General Soe Win, Union Minister for Defence Admiral Tin Aung San, Minister for Home Affairs Lt-Gen Yar Pyae, Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, Union Minister for Border Affairs Lt-Gen Tun Tun Naung, and SAC Secretary Lt-Gen Aung Lin Dway, Joint Secretary Lt- Gen Ye Win Oo, Chairman of Kokang Self-Administered Zone U Myint Swe, who were specially invited participants.
After the clarifications of the NDSC members, Acting President U Myint Swe warned that the country might break apart if the military could not take strong action against the issue in northern Shan State. He then stressed the need to handle the issue carefully and systematically.
The Northern Brotherhood Alliance troops entered the border towns in northerner and northeastern Shan State such as Lashio, Hsenwi, Kutkai, Muse, Kyugok, Moneko, Phaungsai, Kunlong, Chinshwehaw and Laukkai and launched coordinated attacks on the local battalion headquarter and security posts at about 4pm on October 27.
Major General Zaw Min Tun, SAC’s spokesperson, said, "That's when the Paungseik security post was attacked. Paungseik Bridge was destroyed by mines. On October 28, fighting continued in those areas. On October 29, small battles occurred in Hsenwi, Lashio, Namkhio, Namatu and Hopan. On October 30, clashes occurred in Namhkan, Monekoe, Kutkai, Lashio and Namatu. On October 31, there were some shootings in Lashio."
He said the military was taking retaliatory measures against the fighting in the towns of Chinshwehaw, Laukkai, Lashio, Kunlong and Hsenwi.
“To protect the lives and property of the people, the military will take security measures which are also happening now,” he added.
On week after the ‘1027’ operation of the Northern Alliance, the SAC issued a statement admitting that the administration and security organizations had lost control of Chinshwehaw, Phaungsai and Kyugok in northern Shan State.
However, 14 days after the ‘1027’ operation, the Northern Alliance announced that a total of 150 military, police and administrative bases including militia camps were seized.
Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun responded that the military regained control of Hsenwi while trying to restore security in Chinshwehaw and Monekoe.
"Today (November 10), when it comes the situation in Shan State (North), fighting is going on in Kunlong. In some parts of Kunlong, we see MNDAA insurgents arriving. For about a week, forces under the Kunlong strategy and command have been fighting against the enemy. In Hsenwi, where the TNLA entered, our forces have regained control. Later, the insurgent groups in the surrounding areas of Lashio and Kutkai have been cleared. We had to lose some small areas such as Monekoe and Chinshwehaw. But, we are also working to restore security in those places,” said Maj-Gen Zaw Min Tun.
Currently, more than 60,000 people have been displaced by the fighting that began on October 27 in northern Shan State, the United Nations has reported.
Military observers are continuing to monitor how the northern Shan State issue will proceed, as Senior General Amin Aung Hlaing said at NDSC meeting that retaliatory actions would be taken as necessary.
