"The combined forces of the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) and Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) have been defending northern Shan State against Burma Army advances during the month of August. However, these ethnic armed groups (EAGs) continued to lose territory to Burma Army attacks, while the Burma Army sacrificed 20 soldiers’ lives to keep advancing. Conflict in Danai Township in August was similar to July in that the Burma Army limited their actions to artillery attacks against the KIA 14th Battalion and 2nd Brigade. Rains and flooding are limiting factors for troops and vehicles to patrol in the north. In August, troop-on-troop conflicts in Kutkai, Theinni (Hseni), Manton, Muse, and Namtu townships in northern Shan State were more frequent than in Kachin State, where fighting is usually heaviest. Of the 25 attacks that occurred in northern Shan State, 23 were troop-on-troop battles, one was a landmine explosion, and one a Burma Army artillery attack..."