Military Council and MNDAA meet in Lashio, over 40 prisoners of war released

Mekong, July 14 Discussions are underway between the Military Council and the MNDAA in Lashio, a city controlled by the Military Council in northern Shan State. Sources indicate that MNDAA released 41 prisoners of war on the afternoon of July 14. According to one source, the 41 prisoners of war released around 3 PM on July 14 were comprised of 16 individuals held at Military Hospital 9/100 and 25 individuals held at the combat mobilization training school. Some reports suggest the number of released individuals was 42, and that police officers were not among them. Another source claimed that not only prisoners of war but also civilians were included and held at Tapain 626, but this has not yet been independently verified. Family members of the prisoners of war have also posted on social media confirming their release and return to Lashio. "It is said that the meeting between the two sides is important. I heard that it includes the Military Council's participation in peace talks for Kokang and the allocation of Sinny," a source said. MNDAA had previously released 178 prisoners of war, captured Military Council troops, on June 15. Since the start of Operation 1027, MNDAA has captured and is continuing to release thousands of Military Council prisoners of war and their family members. Mekong's records indicate that approximately 3,000 individuals have been released to date. MNDAA also released 68 prisoners of war on April 28, according to Mekong's records. Prior to that, on February 28, over 200 prisoners of war from Laukkai and Kunlong were released. This year, 206 individuals were released on January 31, and 80 prisoners of war were released on January 14. Furthermore, on October 15 and November 15 of last year (2025), MNDAA released approximately 250 prisoners, including Major Kyaw Zeyar from the 277th Light Infantry Battalion under the 14th Regional Operations Command (ROC) and Major Aung Myint Htoo from ROC 1, who were captured during Operation 1027. Subsequently, on January 5, 2024, following the attack and capture of the Laukkai Regional Operations Command, MNDAA released Major General Moe Kyaw Thu, the commander of the Laukkai Regional Operations Command who surrendered, along with Major General Htun Htun Myint, 6 Major Generals, 228 officers, and 1895 other ranks. In the battle to capture the Northeast Military Command headquarters in Lashio, MNDAA captured former commander Lieutenant General Soe Tint, ROC 1 Commander Major General Myo Min Htwe, and Rakhine Military Operations Command Chief Major General Than Tin Soe, and handed them over to the Military Council. MNDAA has captured the cities of Lashio, Laukkai, Hseni, Mongko, Phawngsai, Konjang, Kunlong, Sinny, Tamu, and Pansai since the commencement of Operation 1027. Lashio city was handed back to the Military Council by MNDAA on April 24, marking one year since the handover due to pressure from China. Kutkai was taken by MNDAA from the TNLA. #MeKongNews #Lashio #MilitaryCouncil #MNDAA #PrisonersOfWar #Release