Military tensions are reportedly escalating between the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Kyaukme Township, Shan State.

Tensions have been rising since around 30 TNLA troops approached an SSPP military camp in Tawthsan Village Tract, Kyaukme Township, on the evening of January 17.

TNLA troops had reportedly deployed at two locations near the SSPP camp: one on a hill with a pagoda west of Tawthsan Village, and another on the hill hosting Kaung Mu Khan Pagoda to the north. Further advances by the TNLA could heighten the risk of fighting, said Kyaukme locals.  

On January 21, the TNLA withdrew from the hills but maintained a presence in the foothill areas. As a result, tensions between the two sides have yet to ease, and locals remain concerned that fighting could break out at any time.

“Even though the TNLA troops pulled back, they haven’t fully retreated and are still around the foothills. Because of this, villagers in Tawthsan are worried that fighting could break out, and some have even packed their things just in case they need to flee,” a local told Shan Herald.

Shan Herald tried to reach the SSPP spokesperson to confirm reports of military tensions with the TNLA in Kyaukme Township, but was unable to get a response.

Tawthsan Village is about 40 miles from Kyaukme Town, which the junta retook from the TNLA last year, and sits between two TNLA-controlled towns, Monglon and Mongngawt.

The junta regained control of Kyaukme Town, previously held by the TNLA, in October 2025. Later, Tawthsan Village was struck by a junta airstrike, with one bomb landing near an SSPP/SSA camp and another hitting the village, injuring a child.