clashes between government troops and ethnic armed troops in Shan State continue to take place.
According to the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA), the government troops engaged with RCSS troops seven times between August and September 16, in southern Shan State including the Koheim area.
“With its concern of regional clearance, the Tatmadaw is operating in the area. They do not inform anyone when they are doing that. So, in misunderstanding, both sides confronted and clashes broke out. Another thing is that it is best not to engage in fighting during this election. If they do their operations, they should exchange information,” said RCSS spokesperson Colonel Sai La.
From June until September 17, clashes also broke out regularly between government troops and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State, including in the areas of Nangzang and Kyaukme, according to TNLA’s information department.
“In our controlled area, the government troops increased its deployment. Due to their regional clearance operation, they engaged in attacks often. So, we have to defend and fight back. That is how clashes are taking place here. We already announced we want to reduce fighting. The government side should acknowledge it,” said Mai Aik Kyaw, TNLA’s information officer.
18 clashes were fought between the government troops and the TNLA troops from June to earlier this month; yet clashes continue to take place in northern Shan State.
Earlier this month, the government troops and the Kachin Independent Army troops also engaged in clashes in the areas of Sumpra Bum and Putao, in Kachin State.
On September 9, top leaders from the ethnic armed groups met with president U Thein Sein and government representatives in Nay Pyi Taw. At the meeting, the president proposed to ink NCA on September 29, but instead the ethnic armed group leaders said to ink in the first week of October.
To discuss with the government about a specific date from the NCA inking, ethnic armed groups will hold conference in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand on September 24.
