The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fought four times in northern Shan State last week.
Lt-Col Sai Oum Khur, an RCSS spokesperson, told SHAN on Monday that clashes hadn’t occurred since Saturday.
“We had clashes three times with the TNLA. We also had a clash with the SSPP [Shan State Progress Party]. Therefore, we had four clashes in the area,” he said.
The fighting between the RCSS and SSPP took place in Hsipaw Township on December 5. The clashes with the TNLA happened in Namtu Township between December 7 and 10.
According to local sources, at least four civilians were injured in the fighting and more than 200 people have become internally displaced in Namtu (IDPs).
“IDPs are still in Man San monastery today. I don’t know the exact number of IDPs in the monastery. Some IDPs have already returned to their village. Some IDPs have not returned to their village because they are worried clashes will occur in their village again,” a local man who is working with the Metta Shin volunteer team in Namtu Township, told SHAN.
The TNLA reported that they clashed with the RCSS because RCSS troops entered the TNLA’s territory.
“They accused us of invading their area. Actually, we did not invade their area. We have had movement in that area for more than 30 years,” Lt-Col Sai Oum Khur told SHAN.
