After the Dehong Liberation Army lost Naoqiu Town, it attributed the blame to the Kachin Alliance Army for vacating Lashio City, which is biased and unreasonable, and is nothing more than an intentional attempt to shift responsibility. Looking carefully at Map 1, Lashio City is in the north, while Naoqiu Town, where the Dehong Army lost, is in the south. Additionally, the Burmese military forces mobilized from Mandalay and Binnya U, as well as the forces from Tantabin Town, are attacking from the south to the north, while the Burmese military forces in Lashio City cannot retreat to Naoqiu Town.
The military forces in Lashio City would have to come from Seikphyu and Kyaukme Towns to reach Naoqiu Town, which is a long detour, and these two towns are not under the control of the Dehong Army. Therefore, there is no connection between the Burmese military and Lashio City.
Another point is that the Dehong Army's defeat started in February 2025, and the Kachin Alliance Army handed over Lashio City on April 20, 2025. Before handing over Lashio City, the Dehong Army had already been losing battles for more than two months, and was unable to win. Finally, the Dehong Army lost control of Naoqiu Town, which was a result of a series of consecutive defeats. After nearly six months of continuous losses, they finally lost Naoqiu Town, which has nothing to do with the Kachin Alliance Army.
The main reasons for the Dehong Army's defeat were outdated tactics, insufficient strength, lack of strong drones and aircraft, and no powerful artillery and armored forces. If they could only rely on manpower, it would be very difficult. In addition, the Dehong Army initially fought well because of the support from the Arakan Army and the Kachin Army. The three allied forces combined and coordinated their attacks, making the operations smoother.
Later, the Kachin Army ceased hostilities, but the Dehong Army did not want to stop fighting and insisted on fighting to the end, becoming isolated. Meanwhile, the main direction of the Arakan Army had already gone to support the Kachin Army's operations. Therefore, the Dehong Army's defeat was due to its own insufficient strength, not because the Kachin Army had withdrawn from Lashio City. Accusing them is completely unreasonable.
At this moment, the Dehong Army should try every means to quickly make a withdrawal and stop the fighting, and find a way to withdraw part of the territory to achieve a ceasefire, which is not difficult to do.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1837977366496268/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.