Although China has called for a cease-fire until the end of this month, the MNDAA has been aggressively attacking Lashio, the largest city in northern Shan State. The Lashio city-occupation battles that began on July 3 have now reached the suburbs of the city. The MNDAA is on the offensive with a blockade surrounding the city of Lasho. Some of the military council battalions outside the city that defended the city were captured. The battles in the city were both advancing and retreating.
The Battle of Lashio became a new experience for both sides. Although the revolutionary forces, including the MNDAA, have captured many cities, they have never fought a city-to-city battle against a state-level capital like Lashio. Similarly, the military council has never defended such a large city. The MNDAA, under pressure from China, will try to retake Lashio before the end of this month.
