The Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Shan State Progress Party/ Shan State Army (SSPP/SSA) joined forces to fight against the Myanmar government’s Light Infantry Battalion 501 and Infantry Battalion 144, on Oct.27, northern Shan State.
According to TNLA Spokesperson, Mai Phone Kyaw, the fighting occurred near Se Nay village, between Nan Hkan and Kut Khai districts.
“The military has been following us while troops (KIA, TNLA, SSPP/SSA) travel the countryside to organize. When they attacked us the battle lasted over five hours. A villager who was at Mine Wi Hospital informed us that three government soldiers died and eight were injured.”
Government soldiers have been tailing ethnic arms groups since announcing drug eradication in Nan Hkan and Kut Khai districts. But what the government is really trying to do is to secure the area where the Shwe gas pipeline will pass through. The Myanmar military have about 10 battalions patrolling both districts and a central military base located in Mang Sang, Mang Tong and Nam Hkam (Mine Wi).
Government’s military offences have increased following a clash with the peoples’ militia and combined ethnic armed force groups near Thapangon and Shaukpangon village on Oct. 25. Militia groups from Pansay who regularly patrol the area are also cultivating poppy to produce opium.
There are four TNLA battalions in Kut Khai and Nan Hkan districts, as well as KIA’s Brigade 4 and SSPP/SSA battalions.
