offensives, according to SSPP/SSA’s released statement on 18 October.
The government has initiated attacks in the area of the SSPP/SSA’s headquarters in Wan Hai and Tar San Pu between October 6 to 19 September.
“They [government troops] are pressuring us militarily. But for us, we ourselves never launch attacks apart from in defense. Now they have attacked one of our important headquarters. For that, we have to draw back. We think, this should be stopped. The political problem can only be solved through political talks,” said SSPP/SSA spokesman Major Sai La
SSPP/SSA’s statement also included the fact that SSPP/SSA does not desire to attacks government troops; however, its [government’s] troops are intruding and unjustly launched offensives.
The statement went on to say that SSPP/SSA’s central committee will continue to participate in political talks, talks for peace and nationwide ceasefire with the government’s Union Peace-making Working Committee.
The Tatmadaw [Government army] has already occupied Tar San Pu Village, the river port base of SSPP/SSA in Kyethi Township, which is one of the most important, strategic bases of SSPP/SSA.
Due to clashes between the SSPP/SSA and government troops, more than a thousand locals from Mong Hsu Township have fled their villages, according to Tai Youth Network(TYN).
SSPP/SSA is one of the ethnic armed groups that were not involved in inking the nationwide ceasefire agreement with the government on October 15,
The Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) also urged the government to continue to have talks with the armed groups that do not sign the NCA yet and government’s troops not to launch attacks against them.
The RCSS/SSA also urged the government troops to stop its offensives against the SSPP/SSA and that SSPP/SSA and government should again hold talks, since the SSPP/SSA were involved in drafting the NCA text.
88 Generation Peace and Open Society and United Nationalities Alliance (UNA) urged the government to find the solutions through talks and not offensive attacks with the ethnic armed groups that are yet to sign the NCA.
