MYANMAR – Naungtaung Border Gate in Namkhan Township, northern Shan State that is under control of the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) was reportedly closed by China on July 18 morning.
“It was still open yesterday (July 17) but was closed starting this morning. You can’t pass it any more. All the trucks transporting charcoal are stuck,” said a resident of Namkhan.
China has closed Chinshwehaw Border Gate in Laukkai as well as Pansai and Kyinsankyawt Border Gates in Muse that are controlled by MNDAA (Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army) since July 3 when MNDAA launched offensives in Lashio and closed the TNLA controlled Naungtaung Border Gate on July 18.
In Laukkai, China has reportedly cut off the mobile and internet networks as well in addition to shutting down the border gate. Currently, China has only opened the border gates in Muse controlled by junta infantry division 99.
Political and military commenters said that China closing the border gates controlled by MNDAA and TNLA was its way of showing dissatisfaction towards the current political issues.
