The Tatmadaw and a Border Guard Force (BGF) attacked the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) in eastern Shan State this Wednesday morning.

Burma Army IB-65 and BGF-1007 fired at the RCSS/SSA mobile camp with heavy weapons in Pongpakam sub-township of Mongton township from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., says RCSS/SSA spokesperson Maj Kham San. About 100 soldiers shelled the camp with 60 mm mortar and M79 grenades. Amazingly, no-one was hurt in the morning ambush.

Locals fear the fighting will escalate after Tatmadaw and BGF called for reinforcements.

The last time RCSS/SSA and Burma Army fought was in April in Mongpan township, located in southern Shan State. At the time, an agreement was arranged to avoid clashes to allow COVID-19 prevention programs to be implemented. In addition, the Myanmar Army declared a unilateral ceasefire in most of the country from May 10 to August 31.

The RCSS/SSA is a signatory of Burma’s Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA). But this has not stopped the Tatmadaw from attacking the ethnic armed organisation multiple times since the peace deal was inked in late 2015.