The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), a Kokang ethnic armed organization, announced that the existing ceasefire will continue for a total of 12 days from July 19 to July 31, following a request from China.

The statement claimed that MNDAA’s combat operations will be halted until the end of July as China’s request, but during that period air defense measures will be ramped up, and if the enemy attacks by air, it will respond appropriately.

“We will evacuate to safe locations during the declared ceasefire period. Although the MNDAA has declared a ceasefire, the junta continues air raids. We no longer know where the war is headed. People have suffered casualties and property losses, becoming scapegoats in the confrontation between the two sides. The situation now resembles a rivalry over territory control rather than an anti-military dictatorship struggle”, a Lashio resident told SHAN.

He added that every organization choosing the path of armed resistance with the goal of opposing the military dictatorship needs to exercise restraint to minimize harm to the public, however, MNDAA’s current ceasefire declaration is only triggered by China’s request rather than for the sake of the people.

MNDAA has announced a 4-day ceasefire between July 15 and 18, halting its offensive against Lashio Town, the headquarters of the junta’s northeastern regional command.

Despite the unilateral ceasefire announced by the MNDAA, on July 18, the junta’s Air Force bombed Hsenwi (Theinni) Town, an area under MNDAA control, resulting in the deaths of 10 civilians and injuries to more than 20 others.

Similarly, despite its announcement of a ceasefire in northern Shan State from July 14 to 18, the junta continued shelling attacks and air raids, killing 18 civilians and wounding 19, according to a statement from the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), a Palaung ethnic armed organization.