On Thursday, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) secured control of Laukkai after the remaining forces of the regime surrendered, granting the Kokang group dominance over the Kokang Self-administered Zone.

According to an anonymous source, MNDAA pledged to relocate all members of the Laukkai Regional Operation Command, who were in control of the town and their families, to Lashio if they surrendered. The source suspected that the ruling State Administration Council may penalize them upon their arrival in Lashio since they handed over their weapons to the enemy.

The settlement marks the end of months of fighting that commenced with the launch of the Three Brotherhood Alliance’s 1027 Operation at the end of October, of which MNDAA is a member. With complete control over the Kokang Self-administered Zone, this victory is representative of the first major liberated area taken by the alliance.