Clashes between Myanmar’s regime and the Brotherhood Alliance continued in Mandalay Region and northern Shan State on Wednesday, despite a ceasefire announced by the alliance.
Alliance member, the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), said it clashed with regime forces near Pann Ma Hteik village in the east of Mogoke Township in northern Mandalay Region on Wednesday as junta troops advanced into the area.
People’s Defense Forces and the TNLA reportedly clashed with regime forces near Kabarlone pagoda in eastern Mogoke on Wednesday morning.
The TNLA said weapons and ammunition were seized from defeated regime troops elsewhere in the east of the township.
Fighting was reported in Kyaukme Township, northern Shan State, on Wednesday after regime forces advanced around Naung Pain Lay village on Wednesday morning, the TNLA said.
The armed group said the regime responded with numerous airstrikes.
“Clashes are reporting in Kyaukme Township most days while the junta attacks with many troops,” TNLA spokeswoman Lway Yay Oo told The Irrawaddy.
The TNLA said the regime on Wednesday was targeting its territory around Thae Khaw village and Nawnghkio town with drone strikes and shelling.
On Wednesday, junta airstrikes were reported at a regime checkpoint occupied by the MNDAA to the west of Lashio town.
The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) and TNLA called a halt to fighting from July 15 to 18 while the Chinese Communist Party was meeting in Beijing.
The groups, however, said it had responded to junta bombardment of civilians in Shan State and Mandalay Region.
The TNLA said 76 civilians had been killed and 112 injured by junta airstrikes and shelling since June 25 when Operation 1027 was resumed.
The Brotherhood Alliance launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State in October last year, seizing frontline bases, command centers, 24 battalion headquarters, around 20 towns and trade routes with China.
The operation was halted on January 10 after the Brotherhood Alliance agreed to a China-brokered ceasefire with the regime.
But TNLA and MNDAA resumed Operation 1027 on June 25 after the junta violated the ceasefire deal by repeatedly bombarding TNLA territory.
The Brotherhood Alliance and resistance allies have seized over 80 junta bases and at least five towns in Mandalay Region and Shan State since Operation 1027 resumed.
