SHAN STATE – Despite the unilateral ceasefire announcement by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) following the request by China, junta jets are bombing Lashio and there are ongoing battles, reported the local residents.
Junta jets bombed the city starting around 4:50 a.m. on July 21 and there were battles at junta battalion 507 hill at Upper Manai, infantry battalion 68 and infantry battalion 41 at Lashio City entrance gate.
“(Junta) Jets came and bombed around 6:30 a.m. There have been sounds of all kinds of weapons getting fired since around 5 a.m. There are battles near Upper Manai, Ward 9 and at junta infantry battalion 68 and 41. Artillery shells landed in resident wards. We dare not go outside,” said a resident.
MNDAA instructed its troops to cease fire from July 19 till 31 in response to requests from China for an immediate ceasefire and an end to battles, directing its troops to cease all offensives and prepare defenses and air defenses at their current position.
The instruction allowed the troops to respond as suitable in defense to the attacks by junta council during the ceasefire period from July 19 to 31.
