In Myanmar, an armed group representing an ethnic minority has reportedly taken control of a valuable border crossing to China, wresting control from the ruling junta, according to local media and a security source.

In Myanmar's northern Shan state, near the Chinese border, clashes persist as an armed alliance comprising three ethnic minority groups initiated an offensive against the military in October. The alliance has successfully captured numerous military positions and a strategically significant town crucial for trade with China, disrupting commerce routes vital for the financially strained junta.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), part of the three-group alliance, has successfully taken control of the Kyin San Kyawt border gate, as reported by a local media outlet affiliated with the group.

"MNDAA also reported they seized one more border trade gate, which is called Kyin San Kyawt, in Mongko area, Muse district this morning," the Kokang news reported Sunday.

The alliance, comprising the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Arakan Army (AA), and Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), reportedly seized additional positions within the border trade zone following the initiation of the assault on Friday. A security source disclosed to AFP that the MNDAA had raised its flag at the Kyin San Kyawt border trade zone. Notably, the gate, a pivotal trading point along the Myanmar-China border, was reopened in 2022 after pandemic-related closures.

Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the junta, Zaw Min Tun, informed state media that approximately 120 trucks, situated near the border crossing, were engulfed in flames. He attributed the incident to armed groups operating in the area.

The recent escalation in hostilities has inflicted significant damage on Myanmar's already fragile economy. The ongoing conflict has particularly impacted vital cross-border commerce, leading to adverse consequences such as a decline in trade and the denial of much-needed taxes and foreign exchange to the military.

Reports from local sources indicate that a variety of goods transit through the Kyin San Kyawt crossing. These include machinery, electrical appliances, agricultural tractors, and various consumer items. The disruption to this trade route exacerbates economic challenges within the region.

The reported destruction of around 120 trucks near the border crossing, attributed to armed groups by the junta, further underscores the volatile situation. With cross-border commerce disrupted and essential revenue streams hampered, the consequences are far-reaching, exacerbating the economic struggles in a nation already grappling with challenges. The ongoing hostilities underscore the complexity of the situation, with both security and economic ramifications requiring careful consideration.

Image source: ANI