At least 10 Burma Army soldiers were reportedly killed on Sunday during multiple clashes with the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA), less than a week after the ethnic armed group met with regime leaders in Naypyidaw.
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An SSPP/SSA officer, speaking with SHAN on condition of anonymity, said the junta shelled them before sending over 70 ground troops from its Central-east Military Command Headquarters in Kholam to attack them near Nam Pok at 6 am, located in Loilem District in southern Shan State.
An SSPP/SSA soldier was also killed when the group’s outpost in the Khine Hpet Nam area came under fire, according to the Shan group’s own account. Fighting also broke out near Mark Larng twice in the morning and at noon.
The regime wants to force the armed group to abandon its positions in Laikha Township, according to the officer. “For us, it’s impossible to withdraw from this area because it’s important for the security of our headquarters. The Military Council has repeatedly pressured SSPP/SSA to withdraw…We don’t have any plan to leave this area.”
The officer said they captured two regime soldiers and seized a military truck, two assault rifles, and other equipment when soldiers retreated from Nam Teing Bridge.
Many villagers were displaced by fighting between the SSPP/SSA and Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) in the township in previous years.
One man affected by the past violence explained, on condition of anonymity, that he’s worried about being forced to run for safety yet again. Many residents from Hai Hseang and Mark Larng village tracts have already sought shelter in Buddhist monasteries in Laikha or with their relatives in the town.
“We heard heavy and light weapons this morning. We can still hear gunfire now,” he said.
The SSPP/SSA met the Military Council’s National Security and Peacemaking Negotiation Committee in the nation’s capital from 20-21 July.
The regime flew jet fighters over the SSPP/SSA’s camps in the township at least six times in June.
