About 600 people have been displaced in Namtu, northern Shan state, after the Ta’ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) clashed with the Shan State Army – South (SSA-S) on the morning of January 5, the local Pyithu Hluttaw representative has said.
The villagers fled from their homes in Nyaung Swe, Pan Chin, Lote Lay, and Mite Hone to take shelter at the Shwe Sagawah monastery in Narsang and Mansang village, said Nang Kham Aye, the SNLD MP for the township.
“Since it’s winter, they need warm clothes,” she said.
Sai Oak Khay, a Lieutenant Colonel and spokesperson for the SSA-S, told Myanmar Now the clash occurred at 7am about 20 miles northeast of Namtu and lasted for about an hour.
There may be more clashes soon because the TNLA has reportedly expanded its units in the area, he said.
The Restoration Council of Shan State (RCSS), the SSA-S’s political wing, “doesn’t want to clash with any group,” Sai Oak Khay added. “But if the TNLA unexpectedly attacks us, we assume there could be a resurgence in the clashes.”
Renewed fighting between the two groups began on Christmas Day and has continued into the new year, especially around Kyaukme township, he said.
There have been ten clashes between the TNLA and RCSS since the new year started. The TNLA has said that the RCSS attacked its station at Tawt San village in Kyaukme three times on January 4.
TNLA spokesperson Major Tar Aik Kyaw did not answer calls from Myanmar Now seeking comment.
The RCSS has signed the National Ceasefire Agreement with the Myanmar military, but the TNLA has not and continues to clash with the military.
Last month thousands of locals had to flee their villages to shelter in Kyaukme town amid intense clashes between the TNLA and the RCSS.
Sai Tun Nyan, State Hluttaw representative for Kyaukme township, said he has been working with civil society groups to provide food and shelter for the displaced people and would help them to return home when the fighting stopped.
