Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – Two more clashes between Burmese government troops and the Shan State Army-North (SSA-N) took place in northern Burma on Tuesday, according to local residents.

At about 2 p.m., a unit of the SSA-N clashed with  a Burmese unit between Mong Awt and the Salween River in Mong Hsu Township in northern Shan State. After a firefight, the SSA-N soldiers broke off the engagement.

A short while later, Burmese troops bombarded the SSA-N base at Nam Lao and fighting resumed.

There was no report on casualties.

The Nam Lao base, located northeast of Mong Hsu, is the Shan army’s second largest base, which offers access to an area controlled by the United Wa State Army (UWSA).

A source said the Burmese army would like to drive a wedge between the SSA-N and the UWSA by seizing control of the Nam Lao base.

According to the source, more than nine Burmese battalions are deployed in the area of Wan Hai, the SSA-N headquarters area. The battalions and their locations are: Battalion 517, Mong Pone; Battalion 247, Nam Sang; Battalion 515, Laika; Battalion 513, Pang Long; Battalion 516, Laika; Battalion 64, Laika; Battalion 12, Loi Lem; Battalion 191, Nam Pong; and Battalion 290, Lashio.