Myanmar’s military has joined forces with the Shan State Army – South, which recently signed a “nationwide cease-fire agreement” with the government, to launch an offensive against the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Shan state, according to a RFA report on 1 December.
Captain Mai AieKyaw, a spokesman for the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), told RFA’s Myanmar Service that his group had clashed with the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S) and government troops in recent days near Mong Wee village in northern Shan state’s Namhkam township.
“We’ve been fighting against the RCSS (Restoration Council of Shan State) since Nov. 27,” he said, referring to the political organization which oversees the SSA-S.
“During the last three days, government forces have joined the RCSS in fighting us.”
Mai Aie Kyaw said the clashes had led to “casualties on both sides,” without providing details, and predicted that the “fighting could become worse over time.”
An official with the RCSS/SSA-S, who spoke to RFA on condition of anonymity, also confirmed that his group had been fighting with the TNLA in Shan state.