Myanmar confirms key city near Chinese border seized by armed ethnic alliance

This photo provided by Kyaw Ko Lin shows a view of Laukkaing city (Kyaw Ko Lin via AP)

Myanmar’s military government has withdrawn its forces from a key city on the north-eastern border with China after it was taken over by an alliance of ethnic armed groups.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance took control of Laukkaing late on Thursday after Myanmar military forces laid down their arms and were allowed to withdraw, both sides said on Saturday.