Another clash broke out between two Shan forces in Laikha Township in Loilem District in southern Shan state. More than 500 local people fled the fighting, and these IDPs are now need humanitarian aid including food rations.

.

This is at least the fourth time that the Shan State Progress Party (SSPP) engaged in armed clashes with the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) have had an armed clashes since the beginning of 2023.

“We are about to start cultivating our rotational farm. Now that there is fighting again in our area, I don’t know what we are going to do. It is not safe for people to work on their farms while armed clashes are happening. We want representatives of the two Shan forces to start dialogue. We do not want any war in our region,” a resident of Laikha town told SHAN.

More than 500 people from Wan Sang village-tract, Hai Hseng village-tract and Wan Kyel village-tract fled the clash and have taken shelter in safer places. Some IDPs have taken shelter in the Wahso Buddhist monastery and the Kyaung Kham Buddhist monastery in Laikha town. Some IDPs are staying in their relative’s home.

A male IDP, who requested anonymity for security reasons, said that when local people have to flee from their homes due to armed clashes between the two rival Shan forces it impacts their businesses and agriculture work.

“We do not know when they will stop their fighting. I am sure we will face economic hardship and it will impact on our business and daily survival. At the movement, no organization comes to help us,” the male IDP told SHAN.

The male IDP said that some of the IDPs are sick, coughing and suffering from diarrhea during this dry season. The IDP wants the health department to provide healthcare services for IDPs in Laikha Township.

Both the SSPP and RCSS have recently transported more troops into Laikha Township. It is likely that clashes will continue between two Shan forces in Laikha Township.

The RCSS is a signatory of the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Myanmar military/government but the SSPP did not sign the Agreement. Leaders of the RCSS and SSPP both attended peace-talk meetings in Naypyitaw in early 2023. The SSPP is a member of Federal Political Negotiation Consultative Committee (FPNCC).