Myanmar Military: Troops Attacked in RCSS Ambush

By Lawi Weng 25 March 2020

Myanmar’s military said one of its soldiers was wounded in a Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS) ambush today in Mongton Township, eastern Shan State.

“The [RCSS] ambushed our troops while they were in transit and fighting broke out,” said Brigadier General Zaw Min Tun, spokesman for Myanmar’s military, told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

One soldier was shot and wounded in the ambush, he added.

Tai Freedom, the RCSS’s news service, reported today that Myanmar’s army attacked an RCSS base in Mongton Township and fighting lasted about half an hour.

“It was not true that the Tatmadaw [military] attacked an RCSS base. Their report said the Tatmadaw entered the area and attacked their base,” said Brig-Gen Zaw Min Tun.

Myanmar’s army entered RCSS territory at 8:30am and confronted RCSS personnel, sparking a firefight, according to the rebel army.

“[Myanmar’s army] did not inform us when they came into our territory today. Our security guards attacked them as they approached our base,” RCSS spokesman Major Kham San told The Irrawaddy.

It was a temporary RCSS base, he added.

The RCSS signed the National Ceasefire Agreement in 2015 and holds peace negotiations with the army and government but fighting breaks out periodically in Shan State.

Fighting broke out between the RCSS and the Tatmadaw between Feb. 27 and March 3 in Mong Kai Township in central Shan State.

RCSS leaders held talks in Naypyidaw last week to discuss the fighting in Mong Kai, according to the RCSS.

“The tension in [Mong Kai] has been resolved but they still haven’t withdrawn their troops,” said Maj. Kham San.