The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) fought with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, this Friday (December 25), after the Ta’ang armed group attacked a Shan military base, according to a RCSS spokesperson.
Although no RCSS casualties were reported during the clashes from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., the situation remains tense, with the armed groups standing off, said RCSS Lt-Col Oum Khur.
Both small and heavy weapons were deployed during the incident that broke out on Christmas Day. After RCSS soldiers captured TNLA military equipment and removed mines Ta’ang soldiers planted along a road used by civilians, according Lt-Col Oum Khur.
SHAN reached out to TNLA spokesperson Maj Tar Aik Kyaw for comment on the fighting. But at the time of press he was still waiting to be briefed about hostilities.
Clashes between ethnic armed organizations have been frequent in Namtu Township in December. At least four civilians were wounded during the fighting, with many displaced by the conflict occurring during the harvest period.
After the RCSS signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) with the government and Burma Army in late 2015, hostilities began with TNLA in northern Shan State.
Although TNLA is not a signatory to NCA, there have recently been discussions about reviving negotiations on a bilateral ceasefire agreement with the government along with fellow member groups of the Northern Alliance.
