The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)-led coalition has released more than 800 family members of junta troops captured during the takeover of the junta's Northeast Regional Command in Lashio Town, northern Shan State.
The MNDAA and its allies reported that they took full control of the junta’s Northeast Regional Command, the junta’s last stronghold in the town, on 3 August. This gave them complete control of Lashio Township.
Since 6 August, the resistance forces that took the town have been releasing prisoners of war (PoWs) captured during the fight for the town, according to a military source close to the MNDAA.
They said: “The MNDAA and its ally, the People's Defense Force (PDF), are releasing PoWs captured during their takeover of the regional command headquarters in Lashio Town. On 6 August they released 385 family members of junta soldiers’ family members, and another 445 were freed on 7 August.
Footage obtained by Mizzima showed that most of the released were women, children and the elderly. It is not yet known where they will go.
According to the source, the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) also assisted in the release of the prisoners. The MNDAA has not yet made any statements about the prisoner release and though Mizzima contacted the MNDAA and SSPP it has not yet received a response.
The exact number of prisoners taken by the resistance forces during the battle for Lashio town has not been officially disclosed.
But, according to unconfirmed reports, the MNDAA has arrested over 4,700 individuals, including the Regional Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Thant Htin Soe; the Commander of Military Operations Command No. 1, Brigadier General Myo Min Htwe; Major General Soe Tint, the former commander of the Northeast Regional Command; other junta officers, soldiers, and their family members.
The junta spokesperson, Major General Zaw Min Tun, admitted that since around 6:30 pm on 3 August, all communication lines to the officers and troops at the Northeast Regional Command had been cut and they had been captured by resistance forces.
Currently, the MNDAA-led coalition is carrying out clearance operations in downtown Lashio and its outskirts. It is also resettling locals who were displaced by the fighting and is trying to establish an administration for Lashio Township.
The junta has 14 regional military commands across the country. The Northeast Regional Command in Lashio Town is the first of those 14 to have fallen to resistance forces.
