The People’s Defence Force (PDF) and the regime’s army clashed last week near Wan Loi Hser in ruby-rich Mongmit Township in northern Shan State.

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“The Burma Army fired artillery at the PDF unit led by Aung Phyo. The PDF retaliated and both sides exchanged gunfire,” said a local who didn’t give his name for fear of reprisals.

After two hours, two airships flew over Loi Mauk hill, where the Shan State Progress Party camp is located. “The Kachin Independence Army (KIA) and (another) PDF are staying in the area, but we haven’t heard any gunfire from there,” the source told SHAN.

In November, the KIA and the PDF engaged in fierce fighting in the area, with the regime reportedly suffering many casualties. Since 13 December, the junta’s Infantry Battalion 276 and Light Infantry Battalion 348 have taken up positions around the hill.

From 7 to 13 December, the junta’s forces launched a major offensive against the Ta’ang National Liberation Army in neighbouring Namhsan Township. Almost all the houses in the front line village Kon Tha were destroyed by shells and jet fighters, causing over 1,000 civilians to flee for their lives from the village and the surrounding area.