The sit-tat has again ordered the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) to close ten of its military outposts in Laikha Township, southern Shan State on 9 and 11 June, according to the ethnic armed group’s mouthpiece, SSPP Info.

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After the SSPP/SSA failed to respond to the ultimatums, the Burma army threatened to send more troops to Laikha Township.

“The Burma army has twice asked our troops to withdraw from our outposts in southern side of the Laikha – Panglong – Mong Nawng road,” a frontline SSPP/SSA officer told SHAN on condition of anonymity. He said about 300 sit-tat soldiers had taken up positions around the outposts.

“We are ready to defend ourselves. It is impossible for us to withdraw from this area.”

According to SSPP Info, these outposts are crucial for the defence of the Shan group’s Wan Hai headquarters, but the area is also important for the sit-tat’s Central-east Military Command Headquarters in Kho Lam town.

SHAN repeatedly called the SSPP/SSA spokesperson for his comment, but he didn’t respond.

In 2022, the regime told the SSPP/SSA to withdraw from its outposts in Laikha on 10 June, 30 June and 7 July, and it also refused.

Since the beginning of 2023, the SSPP/SSA has clashed with rival Shan group, the Restoration Council of Shan State in Laikha Township at least four times. As both groups have sent more troops into the area its likely the clashes will continue.