YANGON:  , Myanmar’s defense withdrew from some jobs close to China’s borders to prioritise the” protection of people”, the junta captain said, days after an ally of ethnic armed groups said they had routed state troops in the area.
Since late in June, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ( MNDAA ) has been staging an offensive against the military along a major trade route to China in eastern Myanmar.
In a statement on state broadcast on Monday evening, Min Aung Hlaing said,” Security forces withdrew their roles in light of the situation in Shan State. They withdrew their opportunities.”
He continued,” The government will continue to work to maintain peace and stability throughout Shan State as well as across the whole country.”
In a big punch to the coup, he made his remarks days after the MNDAA claimed to have taken control of a local military order following weeks of fighting.
The group stated in a statement on Saturday ( Aug 3 ) that Alliance fighters “fully captured the headquarters of the northeast military command” in Lashio.
Major-General Zaw Min Tun, a spokeswoman for the Junta, acknowledged on Monday that after months of intense fighting, the army had lost communication with senior officials on the command.
He said in a statement that” we lost touch with the older officers until we got the next call at 6.30pm on August 3.”
” Some older soldiers were taken into custody by criminal rebels, according to reports that are still being confirmed,” the statement continues.