The Tatmadaw fought with some ethnic armed organizations (EAOs) less than two weeks after Burma held its general election.
Maj Mai Aik Kyaw, in charge of Ta'ang National Liberation Army’s (TNLA) information department, said they clashed with the Burma Army on Thursday morning, November 19. Tatmadaw’s Infantry Battalion-223, under MOC-21, attacked TNLA troops in Shwe Nyaung Pin, located in Mogok Township, Mandalay Region, he told NMG.
Two days earlier, on November 17, Tatmadaw clashed with Kachin Independence Army (KIA) in Muse Township, northern Shan State.
NMG reached out to Col Naw Bu, from KIO/KIA's information department, and Tatmadaw's Information Team to confirm the fighting, but no-one responded.
According to the Kachin News Group, Burma Army's LID-88 fought with Battalion-9, under KIO/KIA’s Brigade-6. Tatmadaw’s LID-99 also clashed with its Battalion-36.
Three Brotherhoods Alliance – TNLA, Arakan Army (AA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)– announced an extension of its unilateral ceasefire from November 11 to December 31.
Despite this, “nothing has changed”, Maj Mai Aik Kyaw told NMG. “We extended our unilateral ceasefire during the COVID-19 period to avoid clashes as much as we can,” he said. But Tatmadaw keeps sending soldiers near TNLA troops.
Negotiations for a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the Northern Alliance – KIA, TNLA, AA and MNDAA – were under way before the pandemic began, but no agreement was reached. All negotiations have since ceased.
Northern Alliance member groups are also part of the Federal Political Negotiation and Consultative Committee (FPNCC) along with United Wa State Army, Shan State Progressive Party/Shan State Army and National Democratic Alliance Army.
