The Kokang armed group, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), captured approximately 50 Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) troops in Mongpar Village, Theinni Township, northern Shan State, and took them to Lashio Township.

Around 6:00 p.m. on February 17, about 50 TNLA troops from Mongpar Village were surrounded and detained by a large MNDAA force and taken to Einaing Village in Lashio Township, a northern Shan State local told Shan Herald.

"Yesterday, Kokang troops captured about 50 TNLA soldiers in Mongpar and took them away in vehicles. They were later released by the Kokang army near Einaing Village at about 9:00 p.m.," he said.

Shan Herald reached out to MNDAA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo to ask why the TNLA troops stationed in Theinni Township were arrested and sent to a location about 40 miles away, but she has not responded.

Following the dispute, over 300 TNLA troops from Namtu Town marched toward Mongpar Village overnight, raising tensions between the two sides in the village.

“After its troops were arrested by the MNDAA, the TNLA immediately sent about 300 troops from Namtu to Mongpar. Tensions between the two allied groups remain high, but locals are still going about their daily activities as usual,” said a Theinni Township resident.

The MNDAA’s arrest of TNLA troops comes after the TNLA raided the MNDAA administration offices in Kutkai Town, northern Shan State, on February 13, arresting nightwatch guards and tearing down the MNDAA flag. At that time, physical altercations took place between the two sides at an MNDAA office and warning shots were fired.

In response, MNDAA troops at the Yaepusan checkpoint between Lashio and Theinni townships carried out strict inspections of passenger vehicles for weapons and ammunition.

The TNLA and MNDAA, both members of the Three Brotherhood Alliance, each control roughly half of Kutkai Town, separated by Union Road. However, disputes over territorial control between the two groups have been frequent.