A Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) soldier in Kyaukme Township, at the frontline of conflict with the Shan State Army-South in February. (Photo: Lawi Weng / The Irrawaddy)

Fighting broke out this week at eight separate locations in northern Shan State, pitting the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) against the Shan State Army-South (SSA-S), with the TNLA reclaiming army bases from SSA-S troops, according to a statement from the former on Thursday. The locations of the hostilities were spread across the adjacent townships of Mongton, Namkham and Kyaukme.

The two ethnic armed groups have been engaged in conflict over territory in northern Shan State since late last year, after the SSA-S signed the so-called nationwide ceasefire agreement with the previous government. The TNLA, which was not allowed to sign the accord, has accused the Burma Army of lending logistical support and protection to the SSA-S—a charge the SSA-S has consistently denied.

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Reports are emerging of a series of small scale attacks by Burma Army forces against Kachin Independence Army positions throughout Kachin State, and on the Shan-Kachin State border.

Free Burma Rangers, a frontline humanitarian aid agency, has reported that the attacks have led to “several” civilian casualties including a 60-year-old woman, killed and a 7-year-old girl, badly injured by gunfire.

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Government forces have launched operations against the Taliban in 18 provinces of Afghanistan as fighting has intensified since the start of the insurgents’ spring offensive this month, the ministry of defense said on Saturday.

The operations, backed by air power and artillery have been concentrated in areas where the Taliban insurgents have been aggressively challenging government forces seeking to reassert control over key districts.

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A total of 314 villagers have taken refuge in Si Taung Village (also known as Taung Maw Village) in Buthidaung Township, Arakan State after Burma Army artillery shells fell on their villages.

The refugees are Arakan, Khami, Daingnet, and Chin people from the villages of Nat Ai, Kyaw Lann Chaung, and A Bu.

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The Burma Army has threatened renewed military offensives if the Shan State Progress Party/Shan State Army-North (SSPP/SSA-N) refuses to withdraw from two mountain posts bordering ethnic Wa territory, according to local sources.

A sergeant from the SSA-N told The Irrawaddy on the condition of anonymity that his armed group would not abandon these northern Shan State posts and that they would defend their territory in the event of a strike by government forces.

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