Tensions are mounting as the Myanmar Military Junta and the Ta’ang (Palaung) National Liberation Army (TNLA) hold critical negotiations in Kunming, China. The talks, centered on military de-escalation and border demarcation, offer a rare opportunity for peace. However, residents fear that failure could lead to intensified airstrikes and further devastation.

A resident from Kutkai described a harrowing experience on the night of February 17, when the military launched an airstrike on the TNLA-controlled Kutkai-Namtu border around 8 p.m., sending shockwaves through the community.

“I heard a loud explosion last night. I don’t know exactly where it hit, but it shook everything. The junta is putting pressure on the TNLA. For us, airstrikes remain a constant threat. We never know when they will strike,” a local woman told SHAN.

Negotiations between the two sides began on February 16, focusing on territorial disputes and military de-escalation. The TNLA has pushed for official recognition of the 10 towns and six sub-townships under its control as part of a future Ta’ang State. However, political analyst U Than Soe Naing believes an agreement is unlikely.

“As far as I understand, the TNLA wants these areas officially recognized as Ta’ang State. The military, on the other hand, is only willing to consider granting them self-governing status under the 2008 Constitution, limited to two districts. The rest would need to be decided through Parliament. These demands are incompatible, so I don’t see the talks succeeding,” he told SHAN.

China has urged the Myanmar military to halt airstrikes, but recent attacks suggest that their influence may be limited. On February 15, the military bombed four TNLA-controlled villages in Naung Cho Township, destroying a school and adding to the growing sense of fear among civilians.

“Even while the discussions are ongoing, airstrikes continue. If negotiations fail, things will only get worse. Just hearing the sound of airstrikes makes me afraid,” said a woman from Kutkai.

On February 10, an airstrike in TNLA-controlled Mogok killed five civilians and injured 19 others, underscoring the human cost of the conflict.

The TNLA currently controls Nam Kham, Kutkai, Namtu, Mong Ngo, Mong Lon, Nam San, Man Tong, Kyauk Mae, Naung Cho, Moe Meik, Mogok, and Hsipaw Township. Residents in these areas live under the looming threat of further airstrikes, with little hope for immediate relief.

While negotiations offer a glimmer of hope, the ongoing attacks suggest that peace remains fragile. With both sides holding firm on their demands, the future of the region hangs in uncertainty. For many residents, the fear of the next strike has become an unavoidable part of daily life.