Clashes between Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) battalion 12 and government IB 143 and 45 broke out after the armed groups accidently crossed paths. According to TNLA Captain Win Phay, three separate clashes occurred on Oct. 28 near Lon Kan and Lweijayan villages, both in Kutkai township, Shan state.
“It is difficult to estimate exactly how the situation will develop because these clashes are occurring alongside unfinished political dialogues with the government,” Win Phay said.
The government attack forced a retreat from territory that the TNLA previously held. It’s the first time that IB 143 was seen in the area, said Win Phay, raising concerns that the Tatmadaw (Myanmar national military) is trying to extend their reach.
Since the government’s Union Peace-making Working Committee met with TNLA’s political branch, the Palong State Liberation Front (PSLF) in July 2013, fighting has broken out nearly 20 times.
During the Oct. 15 meeting in China’s Shweli, the PSLF confirmed attendance at the government’s nationwide ceasefire signing event estimated to take place sometime in November. But the ethnic party remained tight lipped about whether or not it would be a signature of the government scheme.
PSLF Secretary Tar Bone Kyaw confirmed that the party hasn’t decided what role they will take, but the details will apparently be worked out during the conference that is being attended by most of the ethnic armed groups. From Wednesday to this Friday about 18 ethnic armed groups are converging in the Kachin Independence Organization’s Laiza headquarters in Kachin state.
