Myanmar Ethnic Armed Group Seizes Control of Hsipaw Town

In recent developments, fighters from a Myanmar ethnic armed group have taken control of a town along a crucial highway leading to China. This event marks another significant challenge for the military junta currently in power. The ongoing conflict in Northern Shan state has intensified since the summer, when a coalition of ethnic armed groups launched a renewed offensive against the military along this vital route to China’s Yunnan province.

The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) successfully captured the last military base in the town of Hsipaw on Sunday, following weeks of intense fighting. A spokesperson for the TNLA, Lway Yay Oo, confirmed the takeover, stating, "We took all army bases and there is no more Myanmar army in the town." Hsipaw, which typically houses around 20,000 residents, is strategically located on the highway connecting Myanmar’s second-largest city, Mandalay, to the border with China. This highway is essential for the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars in trade each year.

A local resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, reported that TNLA fighters had indeed taken control of Hsipaw. He expressed concerns about potential military airstrikes, saying, "There is no more fighting in the town, but we are afraid of (military) airstrikes as we do not know when they will come." While locals are currently permitted to enter and exit the town, many have yet to return, indicating a climate of fear and uncertainty.

The military junta has not issued any statements regarding the situation in Hsipaw, and due to internet access being cut off in the area, independent verification of the reports remains challenging. According to Lway Yay Oo, approximately 100 soldiers from the military have been "disarmed" since the TNLA initiated its offensive in August, although details about their fate have not been disclosed.

The TNLA is part of the "Three Brotherhood Alliance," which also includes the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). This alliance launched a significant offensive across northern Shan state last October, capturing large areas and delivering a substantial blow to the military regime that has ruled since a coup in 2021. A ceasefire brokered by Beijing temporarily halted hostilities in January, but the alliance resumed its attacks in June. Notably, in August, the MNDAA seized the town of Lashio, located about 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Hsipaw, which is home to a regional military command. This marked the largest urban center to fall to any of Myanmar’s ethnic armed groups since the military took control in 1962.

The situation in Myanmar remains precarious, with ongoing conflicts highlighting the deep-rooted issues within the country. As ethnic armed groups continue to challenge the military junta, the implications for regional stability and international relations are significant. Observers are left to ponder the future of Myanmar, as the struggle for autonomy and control persists amidst a backdrop of violence and uncertainty.