Renewed Violence in Myanmar: Regime Faces Mounting Attacks Amid Cease-Fire Collapse

Fighting has resumed in northeastern Myanmar, ending a Chinese-brokered cease-fire. The Ta'ang National Liberation Army has launched renewed attacks on regime positions, joined by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army. The conflict intensifies as the regime faces multiple fronts in the civil war, with discussions of further peace talks.

New fighting has erupted in northeastern Myanmar, bringing a sudden end to a Chinese-brokered cease-fire and heightening pressure on the struggling military regime already besieged by resistance forces on multiple fronts in the civil war.

The Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a key militia in last October's surprise joint offensive, resumed attacks on regime positions last week, escalating conflict in northeastern Shan state, which borders China, Laos, and Thailand, and the adjoining Mandalay region, with local force support. The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) has since joined the fray, and by Friday, allied militias reportedly encircled the strategically pivotal city of Lashio, home to the regime's northeastern military command.

China had previously helped broker the cease-fire in January, calming major northeastern skirmishes even as ethnic armed organizations and PDF groups launched further attacks nationwide. China's Foreign Ministry reiterated its support for peace talks amid renewed violence but did not confirm direct communication with either the Three Brotherhood Alliance or the military State Administration Council.

Meanwhile, the Myanmar army reportedly prepared defenses against anticipated TNLA attacks. Although the assaults did not catch the army entirely off guard, it has yet to mount a counter-offensive amidst multi-front conflicts, with 5,000 recruits added and 10,000 more expected by year's end.

(With inputs from agencies.)