Brig. Gen. Zaw Lin Tun, Deputy Director of Public Relations and Psychological Warfare, said that they did not fight with Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) troops after December 21, denying a statement issued by TNLA.

“After issuing our statement on December 21, we instructed regional commands concerned not to launch any military operations and movements. After that we have not had any fighting or engagements. We did not have any engagement with TNLA at a place near Shwe Maw village, Kutkai Township, as they claimed in their statement,” Brig. Gen. Zaw Lin Tun said.

A statement issued by TNLA on December 24 says TNLA fought with Tatmadaw troops of LIB 219 under command of LID 11 on December 24 in the morning.

“Apart from administrative matters, we did not launch any military operations in the area where they deploy their troops or against their outposts. We did not do any area clearing operations in their areas. But we had some administrative matters such as changing troops, sending army rations and travel by our personnel for training. That’s all. But we ceased all military operations and area clearing movements in these areas,” he added.

The statement issued by Tatmadaw on December 21 says that they need to negotiate with ethnic armed organizations which have not yet signed a ceasefire agreement, in Kachin and Shan States (Northern military command, Northeast military command, East military command, Middle East military command and Triangle military command) separately.

Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army (AA) are operating in the areas in which Tatmadaw said they would cease all military operations and movement.