Myanmar junta, ethnic armed group claim control of military regional HQ
The Hindu
Fighting in Lashio escalates as ethnic armed groups clash with junta troops, capturing key military command and town.
Myanmar's junta and an ethnic minority armed group both claimed on July 25 they were in control of a town and regional military command in northern Shan state following days of clashes.
Fighting has rocked the town of Lashio, home to the military's northeastern command, since July 3 when an alliance of ethnic armed groups renewed an offensive against junta troops.
Local media run by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) reported the group "fully captured the headquarters of the Northeast Military command in Lashio" on Thursday morning and also captured Lashio town, home to around 1,50,000 people.
MNDAA spokesman Li Jiawen said the group's fighters had captured Lashio, without giving further details.
But junta spokesman Zaw Min Tun told reporters the claim was "not true".
"The insurgents infiltrated the outskirts of Lashio so (the security forces) have been following and clearing them," he said, without giving details.
The northeastern command is located in the north of Lashio.
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