Shan commandos on parade at Shan State National Day on Feb. 7, 2014, in Loi Tai Leng, the headquarters of the Restoration Council of Shan State/Shan State Army. (Photo: Kyaw Kha /The Irrawaddy)
Burma Army and government-backed militia troops exchanged fire with Shan State Army (SSA) soldiers Sunday in southern Shan State’s Mong Ton Township, according to a rebel spokesman.
The clash happened at Loi Pang Tong, near the Burmese-Thai border, after government-aligned troops based in nearby Mong Hta surrounded a temporary camp set up by SSA soldiers traveling through the area, according to SSA spokesman Col. Sai La.
“They [army troops and militiamen] surrounded us and told us that we are not allowed to build camps in the area,” Sai La said. “We have been using this route. Maybe the army thinks we are building a [permanent] camp, but we aren’t.”