Armed conflict in Shan State (Palaung/Ta'ang/TNLA)

expand all
collapse all

Individual Documents

Title: Ta’ang Armed Group Attacks Myanmar Military Convoy in Shan State
Description: "Within hours after the Arakan Army (AA) launched attacks on a border guard police outpost in Rakhine State early Friday morning, its ally the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) intercepted a military convoy in northern Shan State, according to Myanmar military spokesman Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun. The TNLA attacked the military convoy en route from Muse with remote-detonated mines near Namkut Village near the Union Highway in Kutkai Township, Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun confirmed to The Irrawaddy. “The military convoy on patrol between Kutkai and Nam Phet Ka was attacked with remote-detonated mines near Namkut Village, according to the latest information. There was some damage to trucks but no injuries or deaths. They carried out the mine attacks on the Union Highway,” Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy. On Friday around noon, the TNLA Information Department shared photos online of the damaged military trucks and weapons it allegedly seized from the Myanmar military. “It appeared that Palaung [TNLA] troops were watching as the soldiers came down. The clash happened near the village. We heard gunshots from heavy and small arms. We don’t know if anyone was hit. We dare not go outside,” a local resident of Namkut Village told The Irrawaddy on condition of anonymity. The clash between the TNLA and the Myanmar military lasted for an hour-and-a-half, according to TNLA Information Officer Major Mai Aik Kyaw. But he said he did not know further details..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2020-05-29
Date of entry/update: 2020-05-30
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Myanmar Ethnic Alliance Cease-fire Makes No Difference as Rakhine Fighting Rages in 2020
Description: "A unilateral cease-fire extended into the New Year by the “Three Brotherhood Alliance” of ethnic armies battling Myanmar’s armed forces appeared to make little difference as residents across the conflict zone in Rakhine state reported fighting this week. Local lawmakers and villagers said Thursday that the armed conflicts have continued despite the cease-fire announcement by the Arakan Army (AA) and its allies the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). They had announced Wednesday that they were extending a temporary unilateral cease-fire against Myanmar forces until Feb. 29 to allow more time to implement negotiations with the Myanmar military — the second extension since September. The three ethnic armies, which along with the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) form the Northern Alliance, have been meeting with government peace negotiators to discuss bilateral truces, but have made little headway. The parties have agreed to meet again in January. The AA said armed conflicts are continuing because the military has used excessive force to intrude into its territory..."
Source/publisher: "Radio Free Asia (RFA)" (USA)
Date of publication: 2020-01-02
Date of entry/update: 2020-01-06
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Myanmar military seizes large amount of arms, ammunition in fight with insurgents
Description: " Myanmar's armed forces have seized a large amount of arms and ammunition in Namsang township, northern Shan state, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services said on Sunday. The seizure was made during an encounter between a military column and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) near Homein village on Friday. As the TNLA withdrew after a brief fight, the military column conducted a detailed search and clearance in the area later on the day and found the large amount of arms and ammunition stored in three locations. The weapons confiscated include portable air defense system, hand grenades, TNLA uniforms, assault rifles, machine guns, mortar rounds and propellants, and explosives. TNLA is a non-signatory to the government's Nationwide Ceasefire Accord (NCA)..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication: 2019-11-24
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-24
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Ethnic armed group denies airport attack
Sub-title: The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) on Sunday denied it had carried out an attack on Lashio airport in northern Shan State.
Description: "Mei Eike Kyaw, TNLA spokesman, said its fighters had nothing to do with Saturday’s artillery attack that reportedly injured one woman. ‘’I saw it on social media and heard about it but I don’t know who was responsible for it,’’ he said. Six artillery shells, four of which exploded, were fired at the military headquarters and civilian areas at the airport. A building and a vehicle were damaged in the attack and several flights had to be cancelled. The military blamed the attack on the TNLA. “The airport has reopened this morning, and everything is peaceful and quiet,” said U Myint Maw, a resident of Lashio. Police said the artillery shells were of the same make as those fired during a coordinated attack on Pyin Oo Lwin town in August by the TNLA, Arakan Army and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times"
Date of publication: 2019-11-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-18
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Ta’ang School Damaged, Highway Blocked in Northern Shan State Clashes
Description: "Intense fighting near the Loi Samsip (Thirty Hills) area in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State has led locals to flee their homes and for the highway to the China border to close. A local who lives in Kutkai told NMG on the condition of anonymity that the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) had clashed near the Karlai junction and Kabar Aye pagoda on Wednesday morning. “Clashes broke out at around 7:15 this morning. The sound of guns shooting went silent at around 10:00 a.m.,” the individual said on Wednesday. Locals also told NMG that both heavy artillery and regular guns were used in the fighting and that no one has been allowed to travel on the national highway from Kutkai to Muse. The road remains closed from the Kutkai tollgate accessible from the Muse side. “All vehicles have been blocked… many cars were dumped on the road,” a local source said. During the fighting, four artillery shells landed on the grounds of the area’s Ta’ang Education Center, leading teachers to relocate the children at the school’s boarding house to safety. While none of the 80 people at the site were injured, the school’s infrastructure was damaged..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-11-15
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-15
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Myanmar Military Clashes With TNLA in Northern Shan, Shutting Down Highway
Sub-title: Kutkai, Kyaukme, Myanmar ethnic conflict, Northern Alliance, Shan State, Shan State conflict, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Tatmadaw, TNLA conflict
Description: "Fighting broke out in northern Shan State between the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and the Myanmar military on Wednesday along the highway in Kutkai, stopping traffic for most of the day. Fighting broke out in at least three places in the townships of Kutkai and Kyaukme, according to the TNLA “Fighting broke out in Kyaukme Township this morning at 6 a.m. Another two battles broke out in Kutkai Town at 7 a.m.,” TNLA spokesperson Major Tar Aike Kyaw told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday. All cars along the highway were stopped during the fighting in Kutkai. Videos posted to Facebook showed some travelers hiding inside their cars and more than a hundred cars were reportedly stopped on the road. Myanmar army spokesperson Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun told The Irrawaddy that fighting broke out between the Tatmadaw and the TNLA at around 7:20 a.m. in Kutkai, and lasted for 30 minutes. He confirmed that all traffic on the highway stopped during the fighting..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-11-13
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Fighting Between Tatmadaw And Northern Alliance Increases
Description: "A Ta’ang armed group said it fought with the Burma Army (aka Tatmadaw) many times in early November despite initiating an unilateral ceasefire with other members of an ethnic alliance. “The highest number of clashes occurred in Kutkai township in northern Shan State. Fighting also happened in Namhsan and Namkham township too. Why are the clashes happening? It’s because they’re (Tatmadaw) entering our areas and attacking us,” said Maj. Mai Aik Kyaw, in charge of Palaung State Liberation Front/Ta’ang National Liberation Army (PSLF/TNLA). According to the major, there have been at least 5 clashes between November 1 to 6. Full-blown battles with the Tatmadaw have been avoided because the PSLF/TNLA is refusing to retaliate against their offenses, he said. But if the Army keeps attacking them it will negatively impact the unilateral ceasefire they and other groups in the Northern Alliance have initiated. “Fighting is not the solution. We have to seek a solution through negotiation and dialogue,” Mai Aik Kyaw said, commenting that lately there’s been more clashes than dialogue..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-11-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-11-13
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Ongoing fighting, abuses in Myanmar's northern Shan State
Sub-title: Amnesty International says Myanmar military, ethnic armed groups guilty of abuses amid fighting in northern state.
Description: "In Myanmar's northern Shan State, ethnic armed groups have been fighting the Myanmar military for more autonomy for the past 50 years. Amnesty International says both sides are guilty of rights abuses in the ongoing fighting, which has continued since the failure of a nationwide ceasefire which was signed four years ago. That's an issue that will dog its de facto head Aung San Suu Kyi as she starts campaigning for next year's election..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Al Jazeera" (Qatar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-31
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-31
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army Launches Air Attack on TNLA in Kutkai
Description: "The Burma Army used combat helicopters to attack Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) forces in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township on Saturday, the TNLA reported. Representatives of the armed group said that they had three clashes with government forces on a hill near the villages of Nam Huay and Maru Hpakar from morning until midday on October 26, as well as on October 24 and 25. Following these battles, at around noon the Burma Army attacked the TNLA from the air. “We have had at least 10 clashes as of yesterday, since we announced our unilateral ceasefire,” Maj Mai Aik Kyaw, who is in charge of the TNLA’s information department, told NMG on Sunday, referring to a declaration made on September 20. “We are having clashes because they are coming to attack us,” he added. The unilateral ceasefire was declared by the TNLA and two other members of the Northern Alliance of ethnic armed groups—the Arakan Army and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army—and is supposed to last until the end of the year. According to the TNLA, the highest number of clashes have occurred in Kutkai Township, and have intensified since they declared their own ceasefire..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-10-28
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-29
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Civilians Injured, Displaced After Tatmadaw and TNLA Clash in Kutkai
Description: "Two civilians were injured by a Tatmadaw artillery shell when the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fought on Thursday and Friday in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township. The mother and daughter were hit by shrapnel from a shell on Thursday as fighting took place in Maw Harn village tract, between the communities of Nam Huay and Maru Hpetkar. They were transferred to Kutkai hospital the next day. “The Burma Army attacked a TNLA base camp last night,” Seng Awng, of Maw Harn village, told NMG on Friday. “Burma Army troops based in Tarmohnye helped its military column by firing heavy weapons… shells landed in our village.” The daughter, a student, endured injuries to her legs, and the mother suffered cuts on her head. Some 60 people fled from their homes in the area when the clashes did not let up on Friday. Most are children, the elderly, and pregnant women, and are staying with relatives. They left Nam Huay and Maru Hpetkar and are staying in Maw Harn. According to TNLA reports, they have had at least 10 clashes with government forces since three members of the Northern Alliance of ethnic armed groups—of which TNLA is one—declared a unilateral ceasefire on September 20. Three of these clashes occurred on Thursday, one in Namkham Township and two in Kutkai..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-10-26
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-27
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army, TNLA Fight in Kutkai Township
Description: "The Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) clashed in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township on Wednesday morning, reportedly leading to casualties on both sides. The fighting occurred near Mang Sup and Nawng Peik villages at around 6:00 a.m. on October 16, with the fighting lasting until 7:30 a.m. According to the TNLA’s field report, one of their soldiers was killed and one was injured. It also said that three Burma Army soldiers were killed and one injured, but SHAN was unable to independently confirm this information. “We heard the sound of small arms being shot and heavy weapons firing. Local people were so afraid,” Lwe Nywe, who lives in Kutkai, told SHAN. “Even though the clash didn’t take place in downtown Kutkai, we were hiding in bunkers because we heard very loud noises from heavy weapons being fired.” She added that the location of the fighting was not far from Kutkai town, and that a Kutkai-based battalion of the Burma Army had opened fire on the TNLA..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Shan Herald Agency for News" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-17
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-23
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Human Rights Abuses Spike in Ta’ang Area, Says TWO
Description: "The number of documented human rights abuses in northern Shan State has increased dramatically over the past three months compared to the first quarter of the year, according to the Ta’ang Women’s Organization (TWO). The group, which based its data on reported cases of human rights abuses committed by armed groups active in predominantly ethnic Ta’ang areas, said there were 70 abuses reported from July to September, out of a total of 80 cases in the entire first half of the year. “The abuses include people who were killed by shelling of villages, death and injuries caused by landmines, and forcing civilians to act as porters. According to our records, at least 70 local people suffered human rights abuses during this three-month period,” TWO spokesperson Lway Chee Sangar told NMG..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-10-03
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Hundreds Flee Burma Army, TNLA Clashes in Namhsan
Description: "Nearly 700 local villagers have fled their homes in recent days as the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) continue to clash in northern Shan State’s Namhsan Township despite unilateral ceasefires declared by both sides in the conflict. According to Shan State MP U Thein Zaw, internally displaced persons (IDPs) are flooding into the town of Namhsan to escape the latest outbreak of violence. “There are 369 displaced villagers staying at Zayanggyi Monastery in Namhsan, and there are more at Phayagyi Monastery. A total of nearly 700 villagers have already arrived in Namhsan,” Thein Zaw told NMG. The sudden influx has created an urgent need for food and other basic necessities, he added. “They need food, medicine, clothing and shelter. They couldn’t bring their blanket or clothes, so the IDPs have to sleep on the ground in the monastery. But what they need most of all is food,” he said. So far, he said, local people and civil society organizations have provided some food and other aid to the IDPs at Zayanggyi Monastery, but those staying at Phayagyi Monastery have yet to receive any assistance..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-09-16
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-22
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army Attacks and Landslides in Northern Burma
Description: "Much of the reported military action during July took place in north-central Shan State. Civilians suffered from landslides in Hpakant Township while the Metta Organization was able to provide financial aid to families in Mansi Township. On July 23, the Metta Organization, which is a Kachin civil society organization helping with development and relief work, gave 150,000 kyats to families with over five household members, and 180,000 kyats to families with over seven household members in Mansi Township. The organization traveled from Manmaw (Bhamo). On July 23 at 1630 hrs, armed police and security guards from 111-Company, a commercial mining company in Hpakant Township, encountered jade mining thieves that had infiltrated the 111-Company’s compound. The police and security guards opened fire on the thieves with their small arms. A civilian, Zar Ni Htun (male, 37) suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh. On July 23 at 2100 hrs, Kyaw La (male, 43) was buried in a landslide while mining jade at Gwihka Maw in Hpakant Township. He was from Gwihka Maw Tawng..."
Source/publisher: Free Burma Rangers (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-08-04
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Daily Burma Army Attacks In Kutkai Township Affect Local Population
Description: "Mid to late August saw almost daily fighting in Kutkai and Theinni townships in northern Shan State. Burma Army reinforcements were flown into Lashio on Aug. 17, soon deploying to numerous areas and engaging with Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Arakan Army (AA) forces. The civilian cost of the fighting remains high local areas like Mawhit Village, where a mortar killed five civilians and wounded three more. In Kutkai, there’s been an influx of roughly 500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Kutkai. Ongoing reports show civilians getting killed or wounded due to the proximity of operating forces on both sides of the war. Additionally, markets in Lashio and Kutkai are closing down because of the recent violence, driving up food prices on the market..."
Source/publisher: Free Burma Rangers (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-13
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-20
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Fatal Clashes Break Out Between Tatmadaw, TNLA in Kutkai
Description: "The Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fought in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township on Wednesday, leading to casualties on both sides, according to locals and the TNLA. A military column made up of troops from the Tatmadaw’s Light Infantry Battalion 15 and Light Infantry Division 99 clashed with TNLA forces between Mang Sap and Nawng Peik villages in at around 6:00 a.m. on October 16. According to a TNLA field report, three Burma army soldiers were killed and one injured, while one TNLA soldier was killed and one injured. NMG tried to call the Burma Army’s True News Information Team to confirm the casualties but received no response. “We heard the sound of shells landing around the clash location. Both sides shot at each other. The clash location is not far from the town… They exchanged gunfire for at least one hour,” a Kutkai local told NMG. Villagers around the area of fighting fled and sought refuge in Ward 2 of Kutkai town. A resident of Mang Sap village said he thought the fighting lasted until 7:30 a.m. and that at the time of reporting it had stopped..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-10-17
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-19
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Tatmadaw clashes with TNLA in Kutkai, northern Shan State with no casualties
Description: "Tatmadaw (defence service) clashed with Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF) in a place in Kutkai, northern Shan State on October 16, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team. “It was learnt that the clash broke out at a distance of 5000 km in the east of Kutkai. It is near the east of Marnkyit village. The strength of the TNLA is about 20 members. The clash occurred because they went into the side above mentioned. It started at about 6.45 am and ended after 7 am. It lasted for about 15 to 20 minutes, but no casualties were reported,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. However, the information dept of the TNLA issued an announcement at about 12.30 pm on the same day, saying both sides suffered casualties..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-17
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-17
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Three monks injured in Shan State mine blast
Sub-title: Three monks were injured when the motorcycle they are riding is believed to have hit a landmine in Namhsan Township in Palaung Self-Administrated Zone in northern Shan state, one of the victims said on Tuesday.
Description: "The monks were on their way to attend a worship ceremony in Lwe Kha Lay village when their motorcycle hit a landmine, triggering an explosion, said Sayadaw Khay Maida, a native of Namhsan. He said they are teachers at monastic schools in Mandalay. “Namhsan is my hometown. I came from Mandalay. It was past 7pm when we arrived in Kyaukme and went to Lwal Kalay village by motorcycle,” he told The Myanmar Times. “There was an explosion and all of us fell to the ground.” He added one of his colleagues suffered serious injuries in the explosion that occurred on Saturday. The sayadaw said since they were injured in a remote area and there was no way to get to a hospital, medics from the ethnic armed group Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) provided them with first aid treatment. One of the monks suffered injuries to his eyes and chest, while another suffered injuries to his ear, thigh and hand. Sayadaw Khay Maida said he suffered injuries in his thigh and leg..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-16
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-16
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Armed conflicts likely to intensify in Kokang, Ta,ang and Rakhine
Description: "Armed conflicts are likely to intensify in Kokang self-administered division, Ta,ang self-administered division and Rakhine State as clashes between Tatmadaw (defence services) and Ta,ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) are going on in some parts of northern Shan State amid the announcements of ceasefire, according to the Brotherhood Alliance. The Brotherhood Alliance issued a statement, stating that they would halt fighting with the Tatmadaw from September 9 to October 8 and implement peace measures more practically. Before the ceasefire announcement of the Brotherhood Alliance, Tatmadaw announced on August 31 that it would extend the ceasefire statement to September 21 and stop military activities in five military commands. During the ceasefire announcement, Tatmadaw’s air forces were launching offensive on the Brotherhood Alliance with the use of heavy weapons and that resulted in the clashes going on, according to the statement of the Brotherhood Alliance. The deployments of the Tatmadaw as required caused armed conflicts to be more likely to rise in Kokang self-administered division, Ta,ang self-administered division and Rakhine State, the statement of the Brotherhood Alliance said. The Tatmadaw failed to follow the ceasefire announcement, launching offensive on the Brotherhood Alliance at a time when steps were being taken to hold the second-time informal meeting between the government and the four armed groups of Northern Alliance in Kengtung on September 17, with the intervention of China, according to the statement of the Brotherhood Alliance..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-16
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army, TNLA Clash in Kutkai Township
Description: "The TNLA said that clashes were still common, despite a unilateral ceasefire declared by the Burma Army late last year. The Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) have clashed repeatedly since Sunday in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township, in the latest sign that a unilateral ceasefire first declared by the Burma Army at the end of last year is doing little to end hostilities there. According to Maj. Mai Aik Kyaw of the TNLA, the two sides started fighting early Sunday afternoon as the Burma Army brought reinforcement troops into the area from Lashio. They exchanged fire three times that day and twice on Monday, he said. “Their reinforcement troops entered into this area yesterday [August 4]. This has continued until this morning. What I can say is that there will be more clashes in this area in the coming days,” he told NMG on Monday. The clashes on Monday occurred near the villages of Nam Hyon and Tarmohnye in Kutkai Township. According to local sources, fighting between TNLA forces and troops from the Burma Army’s Light Infantry Division (LID) 99 based in Tarmohnye closed the Kutkai-Tarmohnye road for most of the day. “They have clashed since early this morning [August 5]. The road was closed around 7am, trapping many cars and people. It reopened around 3 or 4pm. Many people heard the sound of guns shooting and the firing of heavy weapons,” one Kutkai resident told NMG..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Canada) via BNI Multimedia Group (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-08-07
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: RCSS, TNLA Clash in Kyaukme Township
Description: "Forces belonging to the Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) fought in northern Shan State’s Kyaukme Township on Monday, locals confirmed. The clash began at 2:30 p.m. and lasted up to two hours, RCSS spokesperson Lt-Col Sai Oo told SHAN. It occurred between Hurng Wol and Kham Kao village in Mong Ngaw sub-township. “The TNLA forces began by attacking our forces,” he said. The TNLA reported that the RCSS attacked them while the Ta’ang soldiers were carrying out regional security measures. A local in Mong Ngaw said that the fighting had “intensified” with the most recent clash. “They fought each other for hours. Nobody was hurt. No houses were damaged,” the local said. RCSS and TNLA forces have frequently clashed in Kyaukme, and throughout northern Shan State since 2015. That same year, the RCSS signed the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement with the Burmese government and military; the TNLA is among the groups that are not signatory to the accord. Lt-Col Sai Oo said that problems between the ethnic armed groups should be solved in a meeting of the organizations’ leaders. The clash came as the TNLA and the Burma Army have been engaged in intensified fighting in Namhsan Township, also in northern Shan State, since September 13..."
Source/publisher: "Shan Herald Agency for News" (Myanmar) via "BNI Multimedia Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: TNLA intrudes into the area controlled by the army: army official
Description: "The army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) clashed in northern Shan State for two consecutive days as the TNLA forces intruded in the area occupied by the army in Namtu Township, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team. An army column encountered with TNLA forces in a place between Nanthwe and Mawhan villages in Kutkai Township on July 13 and the army clashed with TNLA forces on Lwehan Mountain in Namtu Township in the same day, announced News and Information Department from the TNLA on July 13. “Our troops encountered with the TNLA forces yesterday as their forces intruded in our area,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. Moreover fighting between army and TNLA occurred on Lwehan Mountain and near Nanthwe Village on July 12, announced the TNLA. The army and TNLA encountered for 59 times from December 21 to July 13 after the army announced unilateral ceasefire and 11 times of clashes occurred from July 1 to 13 in this year, it said..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-07-15
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: TNLA reports 5 clashes in 20 hours
Sub-title: The Tatmadaw (military) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) clashed five times on Sunday and Monday in Kutkai township, Shan State, according to the information department of TNLA.
Description: "TNLA Major Mai Aik Kyaw said the clashes started at 2pm on Sunday and ended at 10am Monday. “The Myanmar army attacked us. We had no losses, but I am not sure about the Tatmadaw,” he said. Phone calls to Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson of the military’s True News agency, went unanswered. The military and TNLA fought in Nawngcho village, where TNLA Regiment 5 is based, near Mawhan village in Kutkai on Sunday afternoon. Another clash happened on the road near Tar Moe Nyel township. Three more clashes occurred at those places on Sunday evening and Monday morning. Three members of NeT Organisation and The HALO Trust who were visiting the area to educate villagers about landmine risks, and about 100 villagers were trapped by the clashes near Mawhan, according to the organisation. The organisations and armed groups in northern Shan have demanded that the trapped people be moved to safe zones..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-08-06
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-14
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Armed groups continue to attack largest city in northern Myanmar state
Description: " Armed groups have continued to attack Lashio, the biggest city in Myanmar's northern Shan state, with heavy arms firing on the government forces and police stations, the Office of the Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Services said. The attacks launched Friday night by the Arakan Army (AA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), destroyed bridges on Hsenwi-Kunlong road and burned a petrol station on Lashio-Hsenwi road, the military said in a statement released late Saturday. During the night, the combined armed groups also fired three rocket propelled grenades on a battalion headquarters in Kyaukme, Shan state and retreated to the west after being fired back by the armed forces. The groups also mined two reinforced concrete bridges of Byone Taung on Namt Slup-Kunlong road and Mantonsun on Hsenwi-Namt Slup road before dawn on Saturday. The military columns conducting security operations around Kutkai-Namtpatkha-Muse region also encountered with the armed groups until Saturday morning. In the armed groups' heavy arms attacks, a vehicle from a local philanthropic association from Lashio was hit with one being killed..."
Source/publisher: "Xinhua" (China)
Date of publication: 2019-08-18
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Government, Northern Alliance likely to meet in last week of October
Description: "The organizations concerned with the peace dialogue between the government and the Northern Alliance will likely hold a meeting in the last week of October. After the last Kengtung peace talks held on September 17, both sides agreed to resume their talks in October. They issued a seven-point joint statement after that last talks. Spokesman of Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) Maj. Ta Aik Kyaw said to Mizzima, “It is still under negotiation, they have not yet replied to us. I think they will reply to us after this Thadingyut (light) festival long holiday.” In an attack on government troops on October 9 by the TNLA, some government troops were killed and seven civilians were wounded. Regarding this attack, the TNLA issued a press statement which says, “The government troops travelled from Hseni in a convoy of seven military trucks to launch offensive against our TNLA and then our TNLA troops attacked them in preemptive self-defence.” Maj. Ta Aik Kyaw said, “We will have solutions only from talks and dialogues. The peace talks and dialogues will not be affected by these attacks but it will be more convenient and easier unless there is fighting during the peace talks. The fighting will hamper and affect the talks a little bit.” In the agreement reached between the two sides, they agreed to control and restrain from further fighting and opening liaison offices for continuation of negotiations and keeping communication channels open..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-12
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-12
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Armed Group in Myanmar’s Shan State Will Release Detained Police Officers
Description: "The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has said that four Myanmar police officers detained by the ethnic armed group in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State, will be released soon. Four police officers from Mong Si Village were detained by the TNLA on Sept. 29 while traveling to Namhsan Town, according to Mong Si Village head administrator Daw Htu San. The village head told The Irrawaddy Tuesday that local authorities were trying to negotiate with the TNLA for the four officers’ release. TNLA Brigadier General Tar Phone Kyaw told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday that the four officers were detained after they demanded taxes from local people in Kutkai Township. He said the four police officers would stand on a bridge and “ask for taxes” from people who were traveling. “We are working to release the police officers. We will release them soon,” Brig-Gen Tar Phone Kyaw said. The four police officers used the TNLA’s name when asking local people for taxes, according to TNLA spokesperson Major Tar Aike Kyaw, so the TNLA arrested them...
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "The Irrawaddy" (Thailand)
Date of publication: 2019-10-01
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Army and TNLA clash near Nansang
Description: "The army and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) clashed near Hochaung Village about seven miles away from Nansang in northern Shan State on September 13, sources said. “The fighting occurred around 6 am and has yet to cease. We heard loud heavy gun fires and we cannot go to the town as security forces didn’t allow us to enter. Today is a full moon day and a pagoda festival is held on Lwesai Mountain. However, no one dares come out to the festival as fighting is happening,” said Ko Moe from Nyaungpinthar Village. Many locals from Hochaung Village are running away to safer areas due to fighting and transactions in Nansang are stopped. “The fighting occurred as the army clashed with the TNLA forces near Hochaung Village. We heard heavy gun fires and the explosion shook homes in our town,” said a local from Nansang. The army and ethnic armed groups from northern alliance clashed in northern Shan State from August 15 and although business transactions are back to normal on Mandalay-Lashio-Muse Union Road and Lashio-Hsewi-Kunlong-Chinshwehaw-Laukkaing Road, fighting re-occurred near Nansang on September 13..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-14
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army Continues Attacks Against Ethnic Groups in Northern Burma
Description: "On Sept. 1 at 0630 hrs, a Burma Army platoon (approximately 60 soldiers) Light Infantry Division (LID) 99 exchanged fire with a combined Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) force in the area between Namhpakka and Mungyu. On Sept. 1 at 0700 hrs, a combined Burma Army force exchanged fire with TNLA elements at Ngaw Sa Wut Road Junction. The Burma Army force was composed of a platoon (approximately 60 soldiers) arriving from Manping and a company (approximately 80 soldiers) from LID 101 arriving from Htingchyi. Both elements joined forces around 0800 hrs the previous day (Aug. 31). On Sept. 1 at 1340 hrs, TNLA elements detonated a landmine at the road junction of Humawng Village, directed at Burma Army elements from LID 101, enroute from Panghai. On Sept. 1 at 1800 hrs, elements of Burma Army LID 99 and the TNLA 666th Unit exchanged small arms fire in the area between Ngaw Sa Wet Village (where the Burma Army column was en route from) and Voihpri Village. On Sept. 1 at 1930 hrs, a Burma Army squad (approximately 12 soldiers) from LID 99 were holding a position in Namhpakka Loigung when they came under fire from TNLA soldiers. On Sept. 2 at 0700 hrs, Burma Army and TNLA elements had an exchange of fire in the vicinity of Mungleng Village..."
Source/publisher: "Free Burma Rangers" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-10
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Burma Army Intensifies Its Attacks Against Ethnic Groups in Northern Burma
Description: "On August 7th, Lahpai Hting Nan (37, male) from Pyinlung Village, Kutkai Township, was arrested, shot, and killed by elements of Burma Army Light Infantry Division (LID) 99 while the Burma Army troops were maintaining a security presence in his village. Sources say that he entered the area not knowing the Burma Army troops were operating there. Ungsau La Sam (41, male) from Block 2 of La War Village was found dead with two gunshot wounds to the chest on Aug. 2. His family said he had left his house the previous day to gather vegetables in the jungle. During the morning of Aug. 6, two Kachin Independence Organization (KIO) Health Department medics were arrested by Burma Army Infantry Battalion (IB) 238 at a dock in which they were in the process of traveling to Danai Village in Danai Township. On Aug. 8, Captain Hkin Zaw from Burma Army Light Infantry Battalion (LIB) 13 coerced community leaders from Sabaw Maw Village to submit a monthly fee to Burma Army command in Hpakant Township. LIB 13 is currently attached to LID 33. In early August, Burma Army infantrymen from LID 99, MOC 10, and IB 290 engaged with the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), and the Kachin Independence Army (KIA) Second Battalion in a number of locations on an almost daily basis. Fighting occurred in or within close proximity to the villages of Mawhan, Shaije Pa, Nawng Hpyu, Shaije Pa, Jinghpaw Nayi, and Man Yan Bum. The majority of these engagements were harassing attacks on either mounted or dismounted Burma Army elements on the move by either the TNLA or the MNDAA. In one instance during the evening hours of Aug. 8, TNLA soldiers attacked Burma Army troops from the IB 290 outside of their forward operating base between Tamoeyne and Daknai..."
Source/publisher: "Free Burma Rangers" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-08
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Hundreds of Villagers Flee Kutkai Fighting
Description: "More than 400 people have fled their homes due to clashes near Kon Hser village in Kutkai Township, northern Shan State. Forces belonging to the Burma Army and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) engaged in fighting near the community on September 24, leading to the displacement of locals. Tin Win, who works for the Garuna Social Volunteer Team in Kutkai town, said that over 130 Kon Hser villagers have sought refuge in Mangton village, and villagers from the communities of Law Moong, Mang Aie, and Per Ju are staying in monasteries and churches in Kutkai Township. The total number of people, he added, exceeded 400. “Clashes intensified yesterday. I heard the sound of heavy weapons firing this morning. Now it’s stable,” Tin Win told SHAN on Wednesday. The internally displaced people are in need of food aid and drinking water. Maj Tar Aik Kyaw, who is in charge of the TNLA’s information department, told SHAN that there were no battles in Kutkai Township as of Wednesday, but that the Burma Army was continuing to fire on the TNLA..."
Source/publisher: "Shan Herald Agency for News" (Myanmar) via "BNI Multimedia Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-09-27
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Inquiry to be held into four policemen released by TNLA
Description: "Myanmar Police Force Shan State Chief, Pol. Brig. Gen. Zaw Khin Aung, told Mizzima that four policemen released by Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) were subject to a departmental inquiry. “It is in accordance with procedures. Why did they go there, what and how happened to them etc. in this incident is being investigated by a departmental enquiry team to seek the truth on this incident,” he said. TNLA arrested four policemen from Tar Moe Nye Township, Mone Si police station, Pol. Inspector Kyaw Zin Htike, Sub Inspector Tin Soe, Pol. Sgt. Saw Thet Naing and Pol. 2nd Lance Cpl. Kyaw Min Htike on September 29 between Nam Sar and Nam Maw villages. TNLA told media said the policemen were found in mufti and cash receipts and hand grenades were also found when they were arrested. Four days from the date of arrest, the TNLA released them on October 2..."
Source/publisher: "Mizzima" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-04
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Myanmar conflict: civilians caught in battle in north
Description: "More than 2,000 people have been displaced from their homes in Myanmar's northern Shan state, as the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, an ethnic Palaung armed group and the Myanmar army staged tit-for-tat attacks. That's despite unilateral ceasefire announcements by both sides in the past two months. And civilians caught in the middle of that fighting are bearing the brunt..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Al Jazeera" (Qatar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-10
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Seven civilians injured in clash in Shan State
Sub-title: Seven civilians were injured Wednesday in fighting between the Tatmadaw (military) and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) in northern Shan State, a state legislator said.
Description: "Nan Khin Htar Ye, MP for Theinni township, said the victims included five women and two men. “One of the victims was hit in the knee by flying shrapnel,” she said. “We transferred them to Lashio Hospital from Theinni. The others suffered minor injuries.” A TNLA spokesperson said its fighters attacked a Tatmadaw convoy passing near Theinni town. Three vehicles were damaged and at least five residential houses were destroyed in the attack, residents said. U Myint Oo, administrator of the township, thanked the military for showing restraint in its response to the attackers. “The Tatmadaw had plenty of forces, but it fought back in a controlled way to ensure minimal harm to civilians,” he said. Despite recurring fighting in nearby Lashio, Laukkai, Namtu and Kutkai townships in northern Shan, there had been no fighting in Theinni for 30 years before Wednesday. Daw Nan Khin Htar Yi, MP for Theinni’s constituency 1, said that fighting in the town last happened in 1985..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Myanmar Times" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-10
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: Some Tatmadawmen dead and some locals wounded in TNLA’s attack in Hsenwi
Description: "Some Tatmadawmen were dead and some locals wounded in TNLA’s attack in Hsenwi on Lashio-Muse Union Highway. Ta’ ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), the armed wing of the Palaung State Liberation Front (PSLF), launched an attack on Tatmadaw’s motorcade in the downtown Hsenwi, killing two Tatmadawmen and injuring some residents, said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun, Secretary of Tatmadaw True News Information Team, adding that the TNLA committed war crimes on October 9. “Under the cover of wards and houses in the downtown area, the TNLA launched an attack on Tatmadaw motorcade and it is an offense against war crime. The people and the citizens can witness the TNLA’s attitude toward peace by reviewing the TNLA’s attack on Tatmadaw motorcade in the downtown of Hsenwi,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun. The attack that the TNLA launched in Hsenwi on Lashio-Muse Union Highway in northern Shan State broke out at about 6.30 am on October 9. Shrapnel coming from the heavy weapons flew on the roofs of some houses in Hsenwi. “At about 6.30 am this morning, the TNLA went down to Hsenwi from Kaunghmuphat and fired at Tatmadaw motorcade. Both sides exchanged fires. There were some casualties after the attack. The schoolchildren don’t come to schools in the downtown. The traffic came to a stop in the morning. Now the traffic returns to normal,” said an official of Hsenwi General Administration Department..."
Creator/author:
Source/publisher: "Eleven Media Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-10
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more
Title: TNLA Reports 130 Clashes with Burma Army This Year
Description: "The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has clashed with Burmese government forces more than 130 times since the start of this year, according to the head of the group’s information department. “There were over 130 clashes between January and September of this year,” Maj. Mai Aik Kyaw told NMG, adding that the largest number of clashes was in northern Shan State’s Kutkai Township. “We have had clashes with the Burma Army in Kutkai, Kyaukme, Namhsan, Mangton, Namtu, Lashio, Namkham and Muse townships. The highest number occurred in Kutkai,” he said. Last month, the TNLA, along with two other members of the Northern Alliance—the Arakan Army (AA) and the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA)—declared a unilateral ceasefire from September 9 to December 31 to support efforts to reach a bilateral agreement with the government and reduce clashes with the Burma Army. Although no clashes are currently being reported in northern Shan State, the unilateral ceasefire by the ethnic armed groups—and one extended by the Burma Army until mid-September—did not bring an immediate end to the fighting. “The number of clashes has declined dramatically in northern Shan State, but we had five or six clashes after we declared a unilateral ceasefire. They were caused by attacks on our forces by military columns of the Burma Army. But they’re not attacking us now, so there are no clashes at the moment,” said Maj. Mai Aik Kyaw..."
Source/publisher: "Network Media Group" (Canada) via "BNI Multimedia Group" (Myanmar)
Date of publication: 2019-10-07
Date of entry/update: 2019-10-11
Grouping: Individual Documents
Language:
more