Fighting between Myanmar’s junta and the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) was reported in northern Shan State on Saturday.
The TNLA said three clashes broke out in Lashio and Kutkai townships after regime offensives with a clash between Lashio and Theinni towns while two military vehicles were heading to Theinni.
Another clash broke out near Man Pan village in Kutkai Township when Light Infantry Battalion 242 attempted to raid a TNLA base, the ethnic minority armed group said. On Saturday afternoon a 21-vehicle convoy traveling from Kutkai to Nam Hpat Kar village was attacked, the TNLA said.
“There have been clashes between Kutaki and Nam Hpat Kar since last week. However, the fighting does not last the whole day,” a Kutkai resident told The Irrawaddy.
The powerful armed rebel group has been fighting for autonomy for the ethnic Palaung or Ta’ang people in northern Shan State.
Myanmar’s military attacked a TNLA base near Lashio town with an MI-35 helicopter on August 10 and frequent clashes have since been breaking out across northern Shan State. A clash broke out in Mine Yu village near Kutkai town after a junta offensive.
The TNLA said 16 clashes with regime forces were reported in the area between July 23 to August 20, in which 25 regime soldiers were killed while a junta soldier was detained alive. The group said it also seized arms and ammunition.
