Kokang Forces Withdrawal from Lashio Due to Political Pressure

Due to political pressure, the Kokang armed group MNDAA announced on April 26 that they had to withdraw from Lashio City, citing statements from healthcare workers.

The MNDAA had captured the Northeastern Regional Military Headquarters (YaMaKha) based in Lashio City on August 3, 2024, and reopened Lashio General Hospital a week later.

Now, for the first time, the MNDAA revealed that due to intense political pressure, they had to retreat militarily from Lashio, the capital of northern Shan State. They also reported that most of the hospital equipment from Lashio General Hospital had been relocated to the nearest hospital in Theinni (Hseni).

In their explanation for the retreat, they cited “political pressure,” a term conveyed through Kokang health department officials via The Kokang Media.

They expressed deep regret for having to withdraw from Lashio due to the political pressure.

As there was about a one-week gap between the time the military council was to assume control and the MNDAA’s full withdrawal, the Kokang health department official mentioned that much of the hospital equipment, including dialysis machines, was relocated to Theinni town.

The health official said,

“We only managed to move about 20% of the urgently needed medical equipment and medicines. We’re satisfied that we could provide the best service to the people, but it’s heartbreaking that, politically, we were forced to abandon the place.”

Kokang health workers provided medical treatment to a total of 95,258 outpatients and inpatients at Lashio General Hospital over the eight months from August 10, 2024, to April 8, 2025.

Despite facing airstrikes from the military council, the Kokang healthcare team successfully carried out public health programs like malaria prevention, nationwide child vaccinations for children under five, free surgeries for goiter patients, free cataract surgeries, and free fitting of prosthetic limbs, among many other health initiatives.

Starting from October 27, 2023, the Kokang forces and their allies launched the intense “Operation 1027” offensive against the military council, eventually capturing Lashio, which housed the Northeastern Command, in early August 2024.

Since Lashio was a major city and the military headquarters, the battle for control lasted nearly a month and was extremely difficult. The fighting resulted in significant civilian casualties and a large number of missing persons. The Kokang and allied forces also suffered heavy losses but managed to seize a large number of weapons and prisoners of war.

Following the defeat in Operation 1027, the military council lost control of most areas in northern Shan State, retaining only towns like Muse, Mong Yawng, and Tangyan, where they reestablished the Northeastern Command HQ in Tangyan.

After seizing control, the Kokang forces began administrative operations in Lashio, incorporating it into the Kokang Special Region 1. However, repeated airstrikes by the military council’s air force caused many civilian deaths.

In early 2025, under heavy pressure from China, a ceasefire agreement was reached between the military council and the MNDAA. As part of the ceasefire deal, the Kokang forces agreed to completely withdraw from Lashio.

Starting from April 3, the Kokang forces gradually evacuated the city. Then, on April 22, military council troops entered Lashio with convoys flying the Northeastern Command’s flags and began taking up positions around the city. They are currently preparing to reestablish administration in early May.

Neither the military council nor the Kokang forces have made an official public statement regarding the handover of Lashio. Only China has acknowledged its role in mediating under the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

At present, the Kokang side continues to communicate updates primarily through their media outlet, The Kokang Media.