Junta-appointed authorities have taken control of Lashio, a strategic city in northern Shan State, following the withdrawal of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). The MNDAA, a member of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, had held parts of the area amid months of clashes with military forces. Their sudden retreat opened the way for military-backed administrators to move in and reassert control. The move marks a significant shift in the region’s power dynamics, as Lashio serves as a vital military and economic hub. The MNDAA’s exit comes amid ongoing conflict and peace negotiations, as ethnic armed groups and the military vie for territory and influence across Myanmar.