Myanmar armed group seizes China-Myanmar border crossing

An ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar has seized control from the country's ruling junta of a lucrative border crossing to China, local media and a security source said on Sunday (Nov 26).

An ethnic minority armed group in Myanmar has seized control from the country's ruling junta of a lucrative border crossing to China, local media and a security source said on Sunday (Nov 26).

Clashes have raged across Myanmar's northern Shan state, close to the Chinese border, after an armed alliance of three ethnic minority groups launched an offensive against the military in October.

The groups have seized dozens of military positions and a town important for trade with China, choking commerce routes for the cash-strapped junta.

An offensive by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) - one of the three allied groups - captured the Kyin San Kyawt border gate, a local media outlet affiliated with the group said.

"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 on Sunday.

It added that the alliance - including the Arakan Army (AA) and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) - had taken other positions in the border trade zone after the assault began on Friday.