Armed clashes broke out between the Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA) and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army – South (RCSS/SSA-S) in the northern Shan State incessantly between January 18 and 22, according to the PSLF/TNLA’s Information Officer Major Mai Aik Kyaw.
“Fighting resumed between us and the RCSS on 18th (January 18) up to yesterday. It broke out near Kyat Tay Village in Namhsan Township. Both sides have suffered casualties,” he said.
He said that he has not received the list of casualties in details.
According to him, the fighting broke out in the area where the Tatmadaw and the PSLF/TNLA clashed on December 27.
“The Tatmadaw launched an offensive with a multitude of forces in this area on December 27. The surroundings were pounded by heavy weapons. The public had to flee. We withdrew from the area to prevent the public from getting injured,” Major Mai Aik Kyaw explained.
The PSLF/TNLA said the fighting broke out when the RCSS/SSA entered the areas after the PSLF/TNLA retreated.
“The Tatmadaw left after burning down three houses in Kyat Thay Village on January 14. We entered it after they left. We had a confrontation with the RCSS so fighting broke out,” said Major Mai Aik Kyaw.
The PSLF/TNLA announced that two clashes broke out between the armies under the PSLF/TNLA Division 2 and the RCSS/SSA-S in Kite Tai Village under Namhsan Township on January 18 and a clash broke out between Taw Phe Village of Kyaukme Township and Kyat Tay (Kite Tai) Village from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm on January 19.
Network Media Group has not been able to contact the RCSS/SSA to inquire about the clashes.
Local residents have fled to nearby towns due to the military tensions between the Tatmadaw, the RCSS/SSA-S and the PSLF/TNLA in the conflict areas in the northern Shan State.
After the RCSS/SSA-S signed the nationwide ceasefire agreement on October 15, 2015, armed clashes broke out between the RCSS/SSA-S and the PSLF/TNLA.
