Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army - South (RCSS/SSA-S) said that ongoing conflict with Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) was caused by a lack of will towards peaceful negotiations and resolutions by the latter.
The statement came after the resumption of fighting between the two armies on 1May in Mengwi in northern Shan State.
The statement issued by RCSS/SSA said, “Launching an offensive against our army clearly shows their lack of will towards peaceful negotiations and finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.”
Fighting between TNLA and RCSS originally broke out on November 27, 2015 and after a brief lull resumed on May 1 at 8:45 a.m. in Sai Lane village Mengwi Township, northern Shan State.
TNLA Information Department In-charge Mai Aik Kyaw told Mizzima that the current conflict areas have been controlled by the TNLA and only after signing the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) did the RCSS enter these areas resulting in fighting between the two sides.
To help resolve the ongoing conflict, the RCSS sent letters to United Nationalities Federal Council (UNFC) and United Wa State Party (UWSP) on 23 April requesting them to intervene between the two warring parties but no negotiations have taken place.
