Civilians fear clashes could erupt anytime after the Tatmadaw sent troops to an area controlled by the Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) in northern Shan State’s Namkham Township. Under the cover of night, Burmese soldiers entered the area controlled by RCSS/SSA Brigade-701 in Muse District on July 30.

 “I saw government soldiers going to the area where RCSS/SSA’s base camp is located. They were crossing a paddy field,” Sai Mao told SHAN.

“Military tension in our area is high,” said RCSS/SSA spokesperson Maj Kham San. “We still don’t know why they entered our territory.” The spokesperson told SHAN there were about 300 Tatmadaw soldiers. With so many soldiers close to the RCSS/SSA base, fighting could start up again, he explained.

Between June 25 and July 21, RCSS/SSA clashed at least 20 times with Tatmadaw troops in Kyaukme Township. No Shan soldiers were killed during this period, but at least three Tatmadaw soldiers were killed in battle, said RCSS/SSA spokesperson Lt-Col Sao Oum Khur.

The Burma Army shot and killed Long Su from the village of Pang Kyin. Nang Seng, also from the same village, was shot by the Burma Army but she survived the attack. Sai Aik Maung, from Akee village, was beaten unconscious by soldiers and hospitalized. About 1,000 civilians were displaced by the fighting, with most returning to their homes after the clashes ended.

RCSS/SSA signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement in 2015 but has clashed with Tatmadaw soldiers many times in the last several years.