Myanmar’s junta on Wednesday reportedly bombed Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) territory in Nawnghkio Township, northern Shan State, and Mogoke Township in Mandalay Region.
The drone attacks and airstrikes are the junta’s latest alleged violations of January’s Chinese-brokered ceasefire it signed with the Brotherhood Alliance, of which the TNLA is a member.
Two TNLA soldiers and a villager were killed and three civilians, including a 10-year-old, were injured, according to the armed group.
The Brotherhood Alliance launched its Operation 1027 last October and rapid progress was made until the so-called Haigen ceasefire was brokered by China in Kunming in January.
The TNLA said on Wednesday that the regime has repeatedly violated the ceasefire with drone and artillery attacks on its positions. It added that junta troops blocked northern Shan State’s roads leading to TNLA-controlled towns, restricting the movement of goods.
It said the regime drones twice dropped bombs on a TNLA Hsum Hsai village outpost on Wednesday although there had been no fighting in the area. Two TNLA soldiers were killed on the spot, the group stated.
It was the second attack on Hsum Hsai in two days, the TNLA said.
A fighter jet also bombed Taung Ni village in Mandalay Region, which is controlled by the TNLA, killing a woman, injuring three civilians and destroying two houses, it said.
At least 10 junta attacks on TNLA positions have been reported this month, the armed group claimed.
A Tuesday drone attack on Hsum Hsai village reportedly killed one TNLA soldier and severely injured four others. The regime allegedly continued to shell the village after the drone attack.
A 500-pound bomb was reportedly dropped on a TNLA base between Pantin and Manpein villages in Mongmit Township, severely injuring three TNLA troops on June 9, TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo told The Irrawaddy.
The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.
The TNLA has reported more than 40 shelling attacks and airstrikes on its territory in Mogoke, Mongmit, Kyaukme and Nawnghkio townships in northern Shan State since the China-brokered ceasefire was signed on January 10.
An analyst said the regime’s attacks on the TNLA mean its troops are spread far less widely than those of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, which is also a Brotherhood Alliance member but not under junta attack.
“If battles restart in northern Shan State, they will be more intense than during Operation 1027,” the analyst said.
Northern Shan State residents say they expect more fighting to break out with the regime.
