The fighting between the northern alliance and the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army (RCSS/SSA) (an EAO based in southern Shan State) has resumed in the northern Shan State after the 2020 General Elections.
On December 5, there were clashes between the RCSS and the SSPP in Thibaw Township and clashes between the RCSS and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in Namatu Township on December 7.
Mai Aike Kyaw, in-charge of the TNLA said: “There had been fighting between the RCSS and the TNLA near Namnatu in 2018. They (RCSS) withdrew when we carried out operations. In 2019, there were clashes between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA. We withdrew in order to avoid fighting. The RCSS reentered the area during our absence. That is why, the fighting has resumed.
Sai Ouk Khae, Spokesperson of the RCSS said: “The TNLA attacked the RCSS near Mansan village-tract in Nanmatu Township at 8 am today. There were frequent fights from 8 am till noon. The fighting resumed one month after the election.
The RCSS is an EAO based in southern Shan State. The TNLA said the fights occurred as the RCSS signed the NCA in 2015 and entered the northern Shan State.
The RCSS Spokesperson said: “The RCSS has been in the place where the fighting took place for over 30 years. All ethnic groups should seek ways to stop the fighting in the future.”
On November 19 and 24, there were two clashes between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA in Moegok Township.
Since the election, there has been no fighting between the Tatmadaw and the AA in conflict-hit Arakan State.
The RCSS has signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) together with nine other EAOs. The TNLA and the SSPP are the members of the FPNCC formed with seven EAOs.
The FPNCC members are the United Wa State Army (UWSP), Kachin Independence Army (KIO), the SSPP, the MNDAA (Kokant), the NDAA (Mongla) and the PSLF/TNLA and the ULA/AA)
The FPNCC members have not signed the NCA yet, and are still holding discussions with the Tatmadaw and the government to sign the NCA.
