An RCSS spokesperson says there were casualties on both sides, but an exact number is not known. 

Two clashes occurred this week between troops from the Restoration Council of Shan State/ Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) and the Pa-O National Liberation Organization/Army (PNLO/A) in southern Shan State’s Mong Pan Township.

The fighting occurred at Loi Kawng Muu, near Wan Meik Pok village in Mong Pang’s Nermoon village tract at around 5:45 a.m. on Tuesday, according to an RCSS spokesperson, who attributed the battle to a territory dispute.

“RCSS/SSA forces used to have movement in this area. PNLA forces used to have movement in the Kantuu Long area in southern Lang Khur—they don’t come to this area. When we asked the PNLA liaison office about this, they replied that they didn’t know anything about it,” the RCSS/SSA’s Col Sai Oo told SHAN.

He added that there had been casualties on both sides but that he did not know the exact number of deaths.

Tai Freedom, a publication run by the RCSS’s information department, attributed the clashes to PNLA forces entering the area under RCSS/SSA control without contacting the Shan armed group’s liaison office in advance.

The two groups, which are signatory to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government and military, attended an informal summit in Naypyidaw earlier this week. Both RCSS and PNLO are also members of the Peace Process Steering Team.