The Three Brotherhood Alliance declared On January 24th that the Military Council has consistently disregarded and violated the Haigeng Agreement, which was the result of China's mediation for a ceasefire in northern Shan State.
"Thanks to the Haigeng Agreement brokered by China, our expansion into additional cities and towns has stopped. However if the Junta continues in violating the terms of the Haigeng Agreement, we are prepared to resume operations and pursue the original objective of capturing towns and cities”, the Three Brotherhood Alliance warned.
The statement emphasized that the Junta troops were breaching the terms of the agreement, and engaging in operations within territories held by Alliance’s member organizations.
On January 24th, two columns of the Military Council entered the Mupan District in the Kokang region, controlled by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), leading to an armed clash in which an MNDAA fighter was killed.
Also, coup regime troops stationed in Namtun village Lashio Township, launched artillery barrages targeting the vicinity of the border bridge in Hsenwi (Theinni) town, which is under the control of the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA).
The Haigeng Agreement outlines the conditions for a ceasefire in the current situation, prohibiting additional advancement on both sides, and requiring the Three Brotherhood Alliance to abstain from seizing more towns and villages. It also insists the Military Council to refrain from conducting airstrikes and shelling in areas already lost during the battles.
As per local sources, hostilities persist in certain areas of northern Shan State following the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
The Alliance announced that, on January 12th, despite the absence of active clashes, the Military Council fired artillery targeting Namhsan, Namtu, Kyaukme, and Hsipaw townships in northern Shan State, as well as Mogok Township in Mandalay Region.
The Alliance alleged that Kwanhal village in Namhsan Township experienced five airstrikes, while Manli village in Namtu Township was also subjected to bombing by the Military Council using a fighter jet.
The Military Council has not issued any statements regarding its persistent attacks on territories held by the Three Brotherhood Alliance following the ceasefire agreement.
A military analyst remarked that the Junta's failure to uphold its commitments could potentially reignite hostilities in northern Shan State.
"The Alliance has forewarned that should such aggression continue, they will resume operations to capture bases and towns. Despite being aware of this, if the Military Council persists, China's intervention may prove unsuccessful, potentially triggering further base-capturing operations by the Alliance”, he told IMNA.
Prior to the ceasefire agreement, the Three Brotherhood Alliance and the Junta-appointed National Solidarity and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee (NSPNC) convened for the second round in Kunming, China, on December 23rd. During this meeting, NSPNC issued a threat to attack areas under Alliance control using weapons of mass destruction.
Upon the acceptance of the Haigeng Agreement under China's pressure, the Alliance had already captured 16 towns in northern Shan State.
