The Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) has accused Myanmar’s regime of violating the China-brokered ceasefire in northern Shan State after Sunday’s airstrikes on a TNLA base.
A junta warplane dropped bombs, including a reported 500-pound bomb, on a TNLA base between Pantin and Manpein villages in Momeik Township, severely injuring three TNLA members, said TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo.
The TNLA is a member of the Brotherhood Alliance along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and Arakan Army. They launched Operation 1027 against the regime in late October. The offensive ended with a China-brokered ceasefire in mid-January.
The MNDAA and TNLA gained huge swaths of territory in northern Shan State during the offensive. The TNLA now controls seven towns in the area, including territory along the Mandalay Region border that is historically Shan territory.
Lway Yay Oo accused the regime of frequently shelling and bombing TNLA bases since the ceasefire.
“They have often attacked our troops and the civilian population. They are testing our patience,” she said.
It is not yet clear if the Sunday bombing resulted in civilian casualties, she said.
The TNLA said the regime shelled its positions at least 10 times between June 1 and 9.
Lway Yay Oo said the TNLA has been compiling junta strikes after the ceasefire and will respond.
“We have been monitoring their activities and recording their human rights violations. We will respond,” said Lway Yay Oo.
Under the ceasefire, the Brotherhood Alliance agreed that its troops would halt attacks and would not make any further advances.
The junta agreed to stop airstrikes and shelling.
