Ethnic minority rebel group in Myanmar placed under its control a border crossing on the country’s border with China through which a large volume of bilateral trade passes, according to a security source and local media.

Fighting has raged in Myanmar’s northern Shan state, near the Chinese border, after an alliance of three ethnic minority armed groups launched an operation against the army in late October.

These groups have brought under their control army posts and a strategically important city for trade with China, cutting off the junta from trade routes.

In an attack by the Myanmar Democratic National Alliance Army (MNDAA), one of the three armed groups, it took control of the border crossing Kin San Kiatnoted a local media outlet affiliated with the MNDAA.

“The MNDAA also indicated that it has captured one more commercial border crossing, Kin San Kyaut in Mongo province, in Muse,” the Kokang newspaper reported.

He added that the alliance, which also includes the Arakan Army and the Taang National Liberation Army, has also taken other positions in the border trade zone under its control, following an operation that began on Friday.

The MNDAA raised its flag in Kin San Kyaut, a security source told AFP.

Earlier in the week, junta spokesman Zhao Min Tun told state media that armed groups set fire to about 120 trucks parked near the border crossing.

A significant amount of Myanmar’s trade with China passes through this region. Its blockade for weeks by armed groups has deprived the junta of liquidity, which is valuable as the country’s economy is in crisis after the 2021 coup.

According to local information, electrical appliances, tractors, machinery and consumer products are among the goods passing through the Kin San Kyaut Pass.

As the security situation worsens, China on Friday asked its citizens to leave northern Myanmar “as soon as possible” and stay away from the fighting.