Following a meeting for so-called peace talks with regime leaders in Naypyidaw, the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) is reportedly mobilising its troops to launch a major military offensive against the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) in southern Shan State, according to information posted on the SSPP's official Facebook group.

“They (RCSS) have been preparing troops to attack us since May. Three military columns of RCSS started to enter our SSPP territory yesterday...They're marching into an area from which the Burma Army (BA) ordered us to withdraw two months ago,” an unnamed SSPP officer said on Facebook. The officer pointed out how important the area is for the ethnic armed group.

According to the statement, an RCSS column led by Sai Mya, Sai Kar Lane and Sai Leng is marching towards Nawng Liang, which lies between Pinlon (Panglong) and Laikha. A second column led by Sai Hseng Wan and Khu Htee is moving towards Wan Sein, which is north of the Wan Pan People's Militia Force (PMF) area. And a third column is moving towards Kunhing, Mong Lame and Nawng. All these areas are currently under the control of the SSPP.

In the statement, the SSPP officer said that although they don't want to fight the RCSS, they're preparing for a fight. “We need to understand who the enemy is. They (RCSS) are a revolutionary force like us. I think they've lost (sight) of the common enemy. And that's why they want to fight us, which is bad for everyone.”

Last April, the SSPP reported a troop build-up of BA, RCSS and PMF troops at the foot of Sanin Mountain in Pinlon (Panglong) Township, Loilem District, where the group maintains its camp.

NMG was unable to reach the RCSS spokesperson for comment by press time.

Earlier, the SSPP and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army attacked the RCCS in northern and southern Shan State.