China Mediates TNLA Withdrawal from Myanmar's Strategic Ruby Mining Hub Amid Ongoing Civil War

China stands as a crucial power broker in Myanmar's ongoing civil conflict. (Representational)

Myanmar:

One of Myanmar's most influential ethnic armed opposition groups has reached an agreement to withdraw from a valuable ruby mining center through China's mediation, the group announced on Wednesday.

Myanmar has been engulfed in civil war since the military seized power in a 2021 coup, with the junta engaged in conflict against various pro-democracy fighters and powerful ethnic minority armed organizations.

Initially, the opposition forces struggled to gain momentum before launching a coordinated offensive in late 2023 that resulted in capturing significant territory.

The northern ruby-mining town of Mogok fell to rebel forces last summer, but the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) – the dominant group leading that offensive – has now announced its planned withdrawal.

In a statement released on Telegram, the TNLA revealed it had reached an agreement with the junta following two days of negotiations that concluded Tuesday, facilitated by a Chinese special envoy in Kunming, southern China.

According to the agreement, the group will withdraw from Mogok township and neighboring Momeik.

While no specific timeline was mentioned in the statement, it indicated that the military had committed to halting air strikes, and "troops from both sides will stop advancing" beginning midnight Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Myanmar's junta was unavailable for comment.

Analysts consider China a key power broker in Myanmar's civil war, providing support to both opposition groups and the junta in varying degrees based on its economic and security interests.

Some conflict monitors suggest that the offensive during which Mogok was captured had at least Beijing's implicit support, as China grew frustrated with the junta's failure to address internet scam centers causing disruption along their shared border.

However, China has shown more explicit support for the junta this year as it struggles to recover territory ahead of elections scheduled to begin in December, which the military is promoting as a path toward stability.

The planned polls will likely be blocked in extensive rebel-controlled areas, and numerous international observers have dismissed them as an attempt to disguise continued military control.

Nevertheless, Beijing has provided diplomatic support and practical assistance.

The northern city of Lashio – the junta's most significant territorial loss since the civil war began – was returned to military control in April following Chinese mediation.